DPO Wealth Management

The Swiss Author Louise Germaine de Stael once wrote, We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.First, you mourn. Everything else can wait while you mourn the death of your spouse. When you feel ready, below is a checklist to help you take control of your financial future.MONTH ONE: While at the funeral home, make sure to order at least 5 original long and short death certificates. You will need them in the future. Contact your financial professional to let them know your spouse passed away. Submit claims on your spouses life insurance policies and annuities. These may include: Individualcoverage, group coverage through an employer, VA coverage, and Accidental Death Benefits. Contact Social security to stop your spouses benefits, if appropriate adjust your benefits to be that of a widower. Apply for your spouses Social Security death benefit. Contact your long-term care provider if you were receiving benefits. If not, this can wait. Review all online accounts and deactivate any email, Facebook, twitter, and Instagram accounts that may have belonged to your spouse. Do NOT make any changes or make any decisions during this month, you still need time to mourn.MONTH TWO: If you havent already done so, contact your financial professional. You will need to review your accounts and make changes to titling as necessary. You will need to go to the bank and update your checking and savings accounts to make sure the titling is correct. You will also need to update your safety deposit box information. If you must go through probate, contact a probate attorney. If your spouse died owing money, now is the time to determine if you need to pay this debt. A financial advisor or attorney can help you make this determination. You will need to update your beneficiaries as appropriate. If your spouse still has a retirement account at an employer, you will need to contact them to determine how you will receive the benefits. If your spouse has a pension, you will need to notify the pension of the death and find out if you are entitled to any benefits going forward.MONTH 6 AND BEYOND:Now that you have had a chance to adjust to your new life, it is time to re-evaluate your future. Do you still want to live in your home? Do you want to move to a different city or state? Review your investments to make sure they meet with your needs. Create a new will/trust and any ancillary documents that may need to be updated. Make sure all beneficiaries are up to date and correct. Review your own life insurance and long-term care insurance to make sure they are still meeting your needs. Review your investments accounts to make sure you will still have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. Meet with your tax professional.As you go through this period of mourning, you should rely on your financial professional for help andguidance. They should be looking out for your best interest. Do not feel like you must do something, evenif the kids are pushing for it. Move forward at your own pace and comfort. You still have a long life to liveand you should live it on your own terms.We never truly get over a loss, but we move forward and eventually evolve towards our future.- Karen Roberts, financial professionalKaren Roberts, ChFC and Dianne Odom, CPA, PFSTogether we help turn your DREAMS into reality, so you can PROSPER and confidently OWN your financial future. DPOWealth.com, 239-970-1711, 12500 Brantley Commons Ct, Fort Meyers, Fl 33907

Youve probably seen the headlines everywhere: A sweeping new tax law has just been signed into effect. Its called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it represents one of the most significant overhauls to household finances in years. Think of it like a home renovation: The 2017 tax cuts laid the foundation, and this new law keeps that structure while adding new featuresand tearing out a few that no longer fit. Theres no denying this bill is controversial. Some people love it. Others dont. But politics aside, what really matters is this: how will it impact youyour taxes, your savings, and your financial future? Heres a quick breakdown of some key changes: Tax brackets stay the same for now, but lower income tax rates and higher standard deductions are now permanent. In 2025, the deduction increases to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. State and local tax (SALT) deduction cap quadruplesjumping from $10,000 to $40,000 in 2025, with annual increases through 2029. Bigger breaks for seniors: If youre 65 or older, you may qualify for an additional $6,000 deduction, depending on income. New help for families: The Child Tax Credit increases to $2,200, and every baby born between 20252028 will receive a $1,000 Trump Account to help jumpstart their savings. Major changes to student loans: Repayment plans like SAVE and PAYE are being phased out, PLUS loan caps are coming, and the Grad PLUS program ends July 1, 2026. 529 plans are more flexible: They can now be used for K12 tuition (up to $20,000), educational therapies, and more. Temporary perks & disappearing credits: New deductions apply to tipped income, overtime, and U.S.-made car loans, while credits for EVs and clean energy are being phased out. This is a massive piece of legislationover 900 pageswith some changes taking effect immediately and others rolling out in 2026. While the political debates dominate the headlines, the impact is deeply personal. The good news? You dont have to navigate these changes alone. With a law this complex, reviewing how it affects your individual financial situation is critical. Whether its adjusting your savings strategy, exploring new deductions, or planning for future tax breaks, we can help you create a plan that keeps you ahead of these changes. If youd like to talk through what this means for you, lets connect. Warmly, Dianne Odom, CPA, CFS Karen Roberts, ChFC DPO Wealth Management 12500 Brantley Commons Court, Suite ST Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-970-1711

If you had a child or grandchild born in 2025, you need to act now!What Is a Trump Account?A Trump Account is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to help children build long-term wealth starting at birth. Children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 are eligible for a one-time $1,000 government-funded investment contribution.There are no income limits and no out-of-pocket cost to receive the initial contribution.Who Is Eligible? Any U.S. child born between 2025 and 2028 Must be claimed on a parent or guardians tax return For children born in 2025, action is required when filing 2025 taxes Important Tax Filing ReminderIf your child was born in 2025, Form 4547 must be included with your 2025 tax return to ensure eligibility for the government contribution.Missing this step could mean missing out on the benefit.How We Help Confirm eligibility Coordinate with tax filing requirements Integrate Trump Accounts into a broader financial plan Align contributions with long-term family goals Take ActionIf you are expecting, planning, or welcomed a child between 2025 and 2028, especially a child born in 2025, now is the time to act. Contact us today to discuss how a Trump Account fits into your familys financial plan and to ensure nothing is missed during tax filing.Karen Roberts, ChFC and Dianne Odom, CPA, PFSTogether we help turn your DREAMS into reality,so you can PROSPER andconfidently OWN your financial future. DPOWealth.com, 239-970-1711, 12500 Brantley Commons Ct, Fort Meyers, Fl 33907   Securities offered through J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. (JWC) Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through J.W. Cole Advisors, Inc. (JWCA). DPO Wealth and JWC/JWCA are unaffiliated entities