Dear clients, friends, and fans of BluHawk Wealth,
As the leaves continue their turn here in The Southeast, Thanksgiving invites us to slow down and count our blessings: family, friends, and the privilege of living in this amazing country, an incredible experiment in liberty now surpassing its 250th birthday. We were, as part of the human experience, born for freedom and for striving toward a better life, and one that matters. That longing reflects the love of our Creator, which brings vitality to each of us and to those we care about and care for.
Gratitude also calls us to good stewardship.
This season, please take a few minutes to review your beneficiary designations and trusted contacts on every account you hold, with our firm and elsewhere. Beneficiary forms often override a will, and a trusted contact gives us someone to call if we cannot reach you directly and are ever concerned for your well-being. The summary that follows outlines the key steps and terms.
Enjoy your November…. Our whole BluHawk Team wishes each of you a blessed and fulfilling Thanksgiving Holiday 2026!
With gratitude,
Greg Bennett, MBA, CKA
Dad Joke of the Month
Why did the turkey join the band? Because he already had the drumsticks!
Beneficiaries & Trusted Contacts:
Key Steps and Terms
1. Inventory your accounts
List every IRA, 401(k), brokerage, bank account, annuity, life insurance policy, and HSA, here and elsewhere. Old 401(k)s and policies are the most common gaps.
Beneficiary: the person or entity named to receive an account at the owner’s death.
2. Name primary and contingent beneficiaries
Name who inherits first and who inherits if they cannot, with shares totaling 100%. A blank form can send assets through probate.
Primary: first in line. Contingent: the backup.
Probate: the court process for assets with no named beneficiary.
3. Decide how shares pass
Choose what happens if a beneficiary dies before you.
Per stirpes: their share passes to their children. Per capita: it is split among the surviving beneficiaries.
4. Title non-retirement accounts
Add transfer-on-death registration or review joint ownership so assets pass directly.
TOD / POD: passes a brokerage (TOD) or bank (POD) account directly to named heirs. JTWROS: the surviving joint owner keeps the account.
5. Protect minors and loved ones with special needs
Name a trust or custodian rather than the person outright.
Trust as beneficiary: a trustee manages assets under the trust’s terms. UTMA custodian: an adult who manages assets for a minor.
6. Add a trusted contact
Name an adult we may call if we cannot reach you or are concerned about your health or possible exploitation.
Trusted contact: cannot see balances or make transactions. Power of attorney: a separate legal document that lets an agent act for you.
7. Coordinate and review
Match your forms to your will and trust, and review after any marriage, divorce, birth, death, or move, and at least yearly.
Executor: the person named in your will to settle your estate. Spousal consent: a spouse’s signed approval, required by many employer plans to name someone else.
A word on our role. We are not in the business of providing legal advice; that is the role of your chosen, well-qualified estate attorney. We can help you review and implement much of this plan, which can save you and your family meaningful time, worry, and money. Lean on us and our collective years of guiding clients just like you!
This letter is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or tax professional about your specific situation.
