Office Changes

When calling into SFS you will now hear the kind voice of Kate Fryer, our new Office Coordinator.

Lauren and her husband moved to a new town in New York at the end of August but we thank Lauren for her dedication to SFS for the past 3 years. Below is a message from Lauren-

“I am so thankful for the past three years I have spent as the Office Coordinator for Saratoga Financial Services. It was an honor to represent a company like SFS and to be a part of the team alongside Bob, Jamie, Drew & Amanda. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and working with our clients and community throughout the years and will always smile when I think of my time at SFS.”

We wish Lauren all the best and welcome Kate Fryer to the SFS team!

If you would like to send your best wishes to Lauren, introduce yourself to Kate or have any questions, please call the office at 518-584-2555 or email Kate at Kate.Fryer@lpl.com

In other happy news, please be aware of Jamie’s change of last name. Jamie Usas is now Jamie Isabella. Her email is now Jamie.Isabella@lpl.com

Estate Planning 101

A goal that a lot of retirees share is making sure that their wishes for their remaining assets are passed on to their loved ones the way they would like. In order to do so, it is important to make sure you have your estate plan created, updated and accurate.

Estate planning is important for many reasons. Perhaps the most important reason is if you fail to properly prepare for what could happen in the future while you’re sound and capable, you’ll have no say in how your estate is handled or what your loved ones receive when that time comes. Planning today ensures tomorrow plays out according to your plans and wishes.

Having your estate plan in place will help you know the answers to questions like:

• Who did I name as my beneficiaries?
• What will happen to my investment accounts once I pass?
• Will my estate bypass probate?

A common confusion within estate planning is thinking that having a Will in place answers all those questions. Having a Will is helpful but is really only one piece to your estate planning puzzle.

To learn more about what to include in an estate, estate taxes and common estate planning documents, click here to read “Estate Planning 101.”

Here at SFS we highly encourage all of our clients, no matter how many assets, to have an estate plan in place and are here to help assist with any planning questions you may have. 

Did You Know: New NY Law

New York’s Transfer-on-Death Deed Law took effect on July 19, 2024. The new law allows New York residents to designate a beneficiary to automatically inherit their real property (real estate) upon their death, similar to beneficiary designations on retirement accounts.

Because the transfer occurs automatically upon the transferor’s death, there is no need for the heirs to go through a probate proceeding to gain control over the property. 

Enjoying Retirement as a Couple

Once you and your partner are both fully retired, you may find yourselves in new routines with new ways to spend your days together or you may be questioning what to do with all your free time.

A favorite activity amongst retired couples is traveling. Finally being able to have the time to plan and save for the extended trips that have been on your bucket lists for the past few decades, traveling can be customizable to the type of couple you are. Whether you enjoy relaxing, exploring art and museums, trying new foods or visiting family, traveling is a great way to spend some of your retirement days together.

For a list of more hobbies you and your partner can partake in together while in retirement, click here to read “Retirement Hobbies for Couples.”

As always, please feel free to share any photos or stories with the SFS team from any recent or upcoming trips you may have!

Another fun summer has come to an end, but Saratoga is lucky enough to experience all four seasons, so we will now welcome the Fall weather and festive activities.

This month in Saratoga you can find fun for all interests and ages.

Community events such as the 2024 Annual Car & Truck Show at Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa happening on September 8th, the “Taste of Toga “at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds on the 14^th and ending the month with the Annual Saratoga Giant Pumpkin Fest right downtown Saratoga Springs on Saturday the 28^th.

For more Fall fun throughout this month, take a look the Saratoga Springs event calendar.