Insights & Financial News | Oak Road Journal

Insights

What are Common QCD Mistakes to Avoid?

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a powerful tool for retirees in Lee’s Summit to support

What are the Disadvantages of a QCD?

For many retirees, the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) feels like a “tax cheat code.” It allows

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make over $200,000?

The direct answer for 2026 is based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). If you are

What Is a Red Flag for a Financial Advisor?

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. But not every advisor has your best interests at heart — and some warning signs are easy to miss until it’s too late.

What Is the Average Cost of Using a Financial Advisor?

The average cost of using a financial advisor typically ranges from 0. AUM) per year — with 1% being the most commonly cited benchmark. But that single number doesn’t tell the whole story.

At What Age Is a 401(k) Withdrawal Tax-Free?

If you have a traditional 401(k), here is the answer most people don’t want to hear: your withdrawals are never completely tax-free. That’s not a technicality — it’s a foundational rule of how traditional retirement accounts work.

What Is the Best Way to Leave Your House to Your Children?

For most families, the home is the largest asset they own — and one of the most emotionally charged. Knowing the best way to leave your house to your children is one of the most important estate planning decisions you will make.

What Shouldn’t You Put in a Trust?

Trusts are powerful estate planning tools—but loading every asset into one is a common and costly mistake. What shouldn’t you put in a trust? At a minimum: IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts, which cannot legally be owned by a trust without triggering serious tax consequences.

What Is the Main Purpose of Having a Trust?

A trust is one of the most flexible and widely used tools in estate planning — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume trusts are only for the ultra-wealthy or legally complex situations.