Plan for the Best, Prepare for the Rest: Why Prenuptial Agreements Are Back, and Smarter Than Ever

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By Baylee Bryant, Wealth Manager, CFP®, CDFA®, Partner, Merit Financial Advisors Few conversations test a couple’s communication like the idea of implementing a prenuptial (“prenup”) agreement. It can feel uncomfortable; maybe too practical, too pessimistic, or too soon. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the potential need for a prenup disappear. It only delays the…

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4 Important Steps to Preparing Your Young Adult Children for Financial Independence

Written By: Zac Beckerley, Wealth Manager | Partner From budgeting and saving to determining the appropriate investment strategy, there is a lot for young adults to consider in reaching financial independence. As a result, many young adults still require financial support from their parents — placing a strain on their parents as they near retirement.…

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Webinar Recap: Halftime Report: 2025 Market Trends, Turbulence and Takeaways

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In our recent webinar, Merit Financial Advisors’ Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer, and Joe Cilley, CFP®, VP of Financial Planning, shared critical insights into the evolving economic landscape shaped by new tariff policies and geopolitical uncertainties. Together, they explored how recent global policy changes and the introduction of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ may affect…

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June 2025 Market Update

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In this June market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, reflects on a strong market rally fueled by individual investor optimism, solid corporate earnings, and continued enthusiasm around AI. Despite rising tariff rates and geopolitical tensions, the Fed’s steady policy stance has supported sentiment. Merit remains cautiously positioned, favoring high-quality equities, watching valuation levels…

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Merit Financial Advisors Expands Pacific Northwest Presence Through Partnership with Olympic Wealth Management

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ATLANTA — June 17, 2025 — Merit Financial Advisors (“Merit”), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today it has acquired Olympic Wealth Management, LLC (“Olympic Wealth”). This acquisition strengthens Merit’s footprint in the Pacific Northwest, adding…

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May 2025 Market Update

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In this May market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, discusses how ongoing tariff tensions and a growing federal deficit are weighing on markets and shaping fiscal conversations. With the Fed holding rates steady amid uncertainty, Merit is adjusting its strategy, favoring large-cap stocks, keeping bond maturities short, and incorporating alternatives to stay flexible…

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What Families with Unique Dynamics Need to Know About Financial Planning

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By Kat Grier, CFP®, CPA, Wealth Manager, Merit Financial Advisors If you’re one of the many millions of Americans who consider themselves part of a unique family dynamic, you’re not alone. In the United States, same-sex couple households have grown to 1.3 million and forty percent of American families are now blended.  While financial planning…

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April 2025 Market Update

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In this April market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines recent market volatility stemming from evolving U.S. tariff policies. He discusses the potential implications for inflation, interest rates, and broader market dynamics, while highlighting key considerations for navigating an uncertain economic environment. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and…

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