Hallie Diamant

As clients live longer, financial advisors are increasingly being called on to help navigate challenges that extend beyond investment portfolios. That will be the focus of Carolyn McClanahan’s featured conversation at the upcoming Women Advisor Summit on Nov. 5, where the founder of Life Planning Partners will discuss how advisors can prepare clients for aging, cognitive decline, healthcare decisions, family dynamics and other unexpected events.

Independent registered investment advisor firms are keeping hiring high on the priority list as they look to sustain years of strong growth, according to Charles Schwab’s 2026 RIA Benchmarking Study. The report, which marks Schwab's 20th year of doing RIA benchmarking research, suggests that while many firms continue to staff up, the industry’s top performers are taking a more deliberate approach to attracting and retaining talent.

The cost of settling an estate can vary dramatically depending on where someone lives, and those differences are increasingly shaping how Americans approach estate planning. A new report from LegalZoom finds probate costs on a $500,000 estate range from about $5,000 in Texas to roughly $26,000 in California, with some states requiring families to spend more than a year navigating the court-supervised process.