Tomren Wealth Management

Today, we celebrate the dads, grandfathers, and father figures whose love, strength, and guidance help shape the lives around them.
Thank you for the quiet sacrifices, the big encouragements, and the moments that become lifelong memories.

Happy Father’s Day to all who lead with love. 💙

Most people assume that a spouse's unused estate tax exemption passes to the surviving spouse automatically.
It doesn't.

A six-month extension is available, bringing the total window to 15 months. But the clock starts the day your spouse passes.

To preserve it, a filing must be made with the IRS within 9 months of the spouse’s passing. A 6-month extension may be available, extending the window to 15 months total, but the clock starts on the date of death.

This is exactly the kind of detail that can easily get lost in the fog of grief and estate administration.
It’s also the kind of thing we help families stay mindful of. We work alongside their tax, legal, and accounting professionals to help ensure important paperwork is completed accurately and on time.

True or false: Setting up a trust means your estate will avoid probate.

False. And it's one of the most common estate misunderstandings wealth strategists see. ⚖️
A trust does not protect or control anything just because the paperwork was signed. It must be properly funded, meaning assets need to be transferred into the trust.

That may include:
▪️ Updating real estate titles
▪️ Retitling bank and investment accounts
▪️ Reviewing beneficiary designations
▪️ Coordinating insurance policies

Without these steps, the trust may be an empty legal container. Your estate could still go through probate, and the protections you intended may not apply.

A trust can be a powerful planning tool, but only when it is set up and maintained properly.

What would you do with a windfall?
A business sale. An inheritance. A bonus that lands bigger than expected.

Psychologists call it sudden wealth syndrome: the anxiety, decision paralysis, and relationship pressure that arrive alongside a large sum.

The 5 most common mistakes we see:
⏳ Upgrading your lifestyle before a strategy exists
🤝 Giving to family under emotional pressure
📊 Attempting to make decisions without professional guidance or making no decisions at all

All can be managed, but only if you get ahead of the emotions before the decisions start piling up.
Consider building a team of professionals who can offer insights and guidance.

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. 💜

This month is a reminder of the importance of brain health and supporting the millions of individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We honor those living with Alzheimer’s, the caregivers who show up every day, and the families navigating this journey with love and strength.

Awareness helps open the door to important conversations about care, planning, family support, and protecting the wishes of those we love.
If you have aging parents, this month is as good a time as any to start that conversation. We're happy to be part of it. 💜

Americans in 2026 are applying for fewer mortgages than they were during the Great Recession.
People aren't staying out of the market because they can't qualify. The market is gridlocked. Here's why. 👇

1️⃣ Millions of homeowners locked in at 3 percent during the pandemic. Selling means giving that up for another mortgage that may have a higher interest rate.

2️⃣ If existing owners aren't selling, inventory can become thin, prices might stay elevated, and buyers wait for something to change.

The better question isn't "When is the right time to buy?" It's "Am I financially ready to move when the right opportunity comes?" 📋

Planning for education costs? A 529 account can be a smart place to start. According to a Fidelity article, for the ‘25-’26 school year, the average published all-in cost at a 4-year public school for out-of-state students is $45,780, and the average private school costs $60,920.

What 529 plans actually do:

📚 Tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment will vary, and so will fees and expenses.

📚 Use them for college, trade school, K-12 tuition, and apprenticeships. A 529 can even repay up to $10,000 in student loans. Grandparents, parents, aunts, or uncles can contribute. And starting in 2026, the K-12 annual withdrawal limit doubles to $20,000.

May 29 is a great reminder to review your education savings strategy, open an account, or make a contribution toward a loved one’s future.

#529

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer by spending time with family, sunshine, and enjoying a long weekend.
But at the heart of this day is something much deeper.

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who served our country and gave everything. We are here, living freely, because of their sacrifice.
However you spend today, take a quiet moment to reflect, remember, and hold space for the true meaning of Memorial Day.