Category: Strategic Planning
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When Diversification Backfires, Streamlined Stewardship Steps In
Case Study: How One Family Reclaimed Control of Their $30M Portfolio A client came to us with a $30 million portfolio spread across three investment advisors. On the surface, everything seemed in order—diversified across Canadian and U.S. equities, fixed income, real estate, alternatives, and cash. A textbook case of manager diversification. But beneath the surface,…
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A Modern Family Office Transformation
Case Study: From Paper Trails to Peace of Mind When we meet families like this one, we often find a familiar story. Wealth built over time through hard work and intuition, now managed with the same habits that once served well—but are beginning to show their limits. It’s at this crossroads that family office transformation…
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A Personal CFO is Like a Personal Chef
Imagine walking into your kitchen each evening to find your dinner already prepared—tailored to your tastes, diet, and health goals. Everything is ready: the ingredients sourced, the appliances maintained, and the table set with care. All you have to do is sit down and enjoy. That’s what it feels like to have a personal chef—and…
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How Our Family Office Helps Wealth Stewards Transition with Peace of Mind
As families grow in both size and wealth, the systems that once supported their financial lives often start to show strain. This is especially true for baby boomers who have spent decades managing their estates using familiar—but increasingly outdated—approaches. In some cases, families with significant wealth are still relying on paper files, with long-time administrators…
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Your Trusted Partner in Wealth & Legacy
Who We Are At Markdale Financial Management, we’re more than a family office—we’re your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of wealth. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality financial stewardship for wealthy families, charitable foundations, and long-term investors. Furthermore, we combine deep expertise in accounting, investing, and wealth management with a passion for clarity…
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Modern Wealth Management: Bridging Generations, Values, and Technology
Wealthy families are facing complex challenges that span generations. Whether it’s transitioning from traditional methods to modern digital systems, aligning portfolios with contemporary values, or navigating the emotional side of wealth transfer. These challenges often involve more than just financial considerations—they encompass tax issues, values, and family dynamics. By bridging generations, values, and technology, our…
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Is a Family Trust a Good Idea?
Is a family trust a good idea? Picture this: a maze of family trusts, promising shelter for assets and strategic tax benefits, yet concealing hidden complexities that could trip up even the most seasoned investors. While family trusts offer a shield against creditors and a cloak of privacy, are they truly the holy grail for…
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Family Foundations Challenges and Solutions
Family foundations are often formed with the best intentions. But, like many family businesses, family foundations also struggle to survive past the founding generation. What are the biggest family foundation challenges preventing success? Overcoming the issues that cause family foundations to fail is crucial for ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. Here, we’ll briefly highlight the…
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Essential Guide to Cottage Succession Planning
Cottage succession planning is one of the most emotionally charged and difficult aspects of an estate plan. Unlike a stock portfolio, cottages are touched by emotions, memories, and can’t be easily divided in the same way between your heirs. Therefore, cottage owners face unique estate planning challenges. So, this post will describe the key elements…
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Estate Administration: Step-By-Step Guide
In the world of estate administration, finding common ground with more universally understood experiences can offer valuable insights into the complexities and demands we might encounter. One analogy that brings this perspective to life is comparing the process of administering an estate to the detailed and prolonged effort required in cultivating a garden. Both endeavors,…