Estate Planning: Wills and what you need to know about them

Without a will, you die “intestate,” leaving state courts to decide how your estate is divided—often in unintended ways. Dave Ramsey emphasizes having a proper estate plan, preferably through a legally valid will. There are various types, including holographic, nuncupative, and statutory wills. While wills ensure your wishes are on paper, they also go through probate, which can be contested. For guidance, Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers partners with Encore Estate Planning to help.

Tech and the S&P 500

Technology now makes up about 32% of the S&P 500, highlighting its dominance in the U.S. economy and markets. In 2024, strong demand for AI, semiconductors, and cloud computing fueled growth for firms like NVIDIA and Microsoft. However, this concentration poses risks—tech’s heavy influence can create volatility and distort the index's representation of the broader economy. Investors should review their diversification and risk exposure with an advisor.

John-Mark Young Earns Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) Designation

John-Mark Young earns the ChFC designation from the American College of Financial Services