Portland-based CPA firm helps clients safeguard their wealth and secure their family’s future with comprehensive estate planning services.

PORTLAND, OREGON / ACCESSWIRE / December 26, 2024 / In a city renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and thriving businesses, Downing & Co. is taking a bold step forward in helping Portland residents protect what matters most: their legacy. The firm offers specialized estate planning services, designed to ensure their clients’ wealth is preserved and passed down seamlessly to future generations.

With over five decades of experience in financial strategy, Downing & Co. brings a trusted, proactive approach to estate planning. As Portland’s go-to CPA firm, they’ve built a reputation for delivering personalized solutions that go beyond typical financial management. Their estate planning services focus on reducing tax burdens, avoiding costly mistakes, and ensuring assets are distributed according to the client’s wishes.

“Estate planning isn’t just about financial protection-it’s about preserving your life’s work and values for the people you care about,” said Tim Downing, Managing Principal at Downing & Co. “Our goal is to provide peace of mind by ensuring that clients’ wealth stays where it belongs-within their family and community.”

Why Estate Planning Matters in Portland

For high-net-worth individuals and small business owners, estate planning is critical in Portland’s competitive economic landscape. Without a clear plan, families risk losing up to 40% of their inheritance to taxes and government regulations. By offering expert guidance and strategic structuring, Downing & Co. ensures clients avoid these pitfalls while safeguarding their financial legacy.

Key benefits of Downing & Co.’s Estate Planning Services include:

• Minimizing Estate Taxes: Advanced planning can reduce the tax burden on your estate, ensuring more of your wealth is retained by your heirs.

• Efficient Wealth Transfer: Clear strategies streamline the process of passing on assets, reducing legal challenges and delays.

• Preserving Family Legacies: Customized solutions ensure your assets align with your values, supporting the people and causes you care about most.

• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Estate plans address potential legal and financial risks, protecting your wealth against unforeseen challenges.

A Holistic Approach to Financial Security

Downing & Co.’s Estate Planning Services are part of a broader commitment to comprehensive financial management. Their holistic approach integrates tax planning, wealth preservation, and business advisory services to create a seamless strategy that addresses every aspect of a client’s financial well-being.

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US stocks fell Thursday as trading resumed after the Christmas holiday, as Wall Street digested one of the only economic data points of the week.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) was down 0.3% while the the tech-heavy Nasdaq (^IXIC) declined 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) lost 0.4%, leading the way down.

Meanwhile, bitcoin (BTC-USD) slumped, falling below the $96,000 level as volatile trading continued. Crypto-linked stocks like MicroStrategy (MSTR) tracked the declines.

Markets looked to be struggling in a bid to extend the start of the “Santa Claus rally,” which kicked off with a bang on Tuesday. All three major indexes rose around 1%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) are within striking distance of their records after clawing back gains from a Fed-fueled dive last week.

As Wall Street saunters back from its holiday break, the normally routine release on weekly jobless claims took more of a spotlight than usual, as the only piece of the jobs puzzle on the docket this week.

Labor Department data released prior to the market open showed weekly jobless claims fell to 219,000 compared with expectation of 223,000. However continuing claims surged to 1.19 million in the week ending December 14 to the highest level since November 2021, in a sign the labor market may be cooling.

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Angela Marie Hanson, 52, of California, Maryland, has been indicted on charges of embezzlement and theft following allegations of financial misconduct during her tenure as Finance Manager for Historic Sotterley, Inc. According to court documents, Hanson is accused of stealing nearly $15,000 over a five-month period from October 31, 2023, to April 15, 2024.

Hanson, who oversaw financial operations at the historic property, is scheduled for her initial court appearance in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County on January 13, 2025. She faces a felony charge of theft scheme involving $1,500 to $25,000, a misdemeanor embezzlement charge, 50 counts of theft between $100 and $1,500, and 17 counts of theft under $100.

Authorities allege that Hanson misappropriated funds using a debit card linked to Historic Sotterley’s “Museum Shop” account. Over 50 ATM withdrawals and several unauthorized purchases were reportedly made at local businesses, including gas stations and convenience stores.

Court filings claim Hanson also transferred funds between Historic Sotterley’s accounts to conceal her activities. Investigators allege that Hanson continued these actions even after her employment ended in February 2024.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, which included reviewing banking records, witness testimony, and surveillance footage. Historic Sotterley’s Executive Director identified Hanson as the only individual with access to financial systems and administrative rights during the period in question.

Investigators state that surveillance footage shows Hanson conducting ATM withdrawals using the organization’s debit card. When questioned by law enforcement, Hanson acknowledged managing Historic Sotterley’s finances but denied any intent to defraud.

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