Estate & Tax Planning: What Every Family Should Know | Our Daily Show Interview
ALTON - Community members can learn how to protect their financial futures at an upcoming seminar.
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From 12–1 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at The Wedge in Alton, Stephens Planning will host an Estate & Tax Planning Lunch & Learn. Curtis Stephens with Stephens Planning and Elizabeth “Liz” Heller with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., will share information about basic estate planning mistakes, how estate taxes can impact your family, and how to transfer wealth effectively.
“For people who want to know really what estate planning is about, it’s kind of a buzzword,” Stephens said. “Some people don’t understand how it applies to them, especially if you don’t understand probate, how a will works, how beneficiaries pay out regardless of a will or a trust. All those things, if they’re not coordinated properly, it’s going to create an effect that people don’t want. It can create a lot of issues in families. It can create a lot of financial issues. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t walk through that until they’re in it, so we like to bring awareness and help people any way we can.”
As a financial advisor, Stephens considers himself “the money guy” and wants to help people grow and protect their wealth. Heller has been practicing law for over 30 years and knows a lot about estate planning. Together, the duo hopes the seminar will inform people and help them prepare.
Stephens’s process includes protecting and growing the assets that people have already accumulated. He is focused on helping people “in a tax-efficient way” so they don’t “leave money on the table unnecessarily and unknowingly.”
“The more you keep, the more you grow,” he said. “Uncle Sam is a patriot, but the IRS takes a lot of our money, and I believe it’s the biggest liability we’re ever going to have on our income and our money. So we need to address that, and if we don’t, we’re going to continuously react. If you don’t act in a system that is stacked against you, you know you’re going to lose.”
It’s important to Stephens that his clients have the support they need to continue growing their wealth, but also that they know how to protect it. He believes encouraging estate planning is part of his duty as a financial advisor, and he wants to help his clients get what they need so they can protect their families and stay set up for success.
“Most advisors, I think they generally just focus on making people money. To me, there’s so much more to taking care of families than just making them money,” he said.
In addition to the Estate & Tax Planning Lunch & Learn, Stephens Planning hosts monthly Community Fridays at the end of the month to provide free financial planning advice to those in need. Stephens believes anyone can benefit from having a financial advisor take a look at their finances, even if it’s just to “tighten up” your finances or address basic concerns.
“You have to be a little intentional,” he said. “Our finances are that way. So if you just need help being intentional, getting pointed in the right direction, we’re there for you to give you some guidance.”
The Estate & Tax Planning Lunch & Learn is a good starting point. The event includes a free lunch and giveaways. Stephens believes it will be a fun and informative experience for all who attend.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. You can register online. To learn more about Stephens Planning, visit their official website.
This featured article is sponsored by Stephens Planning. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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