Special Report

Large share of Americans don't have wills, study says

Less than half of people age 54 and younger have them, survey results show

March 28, 2013

Only one in three Americans has a will, says a new survey by FindLaw.com, a legal information website.That means the vast majority of Americans potentially could be leaving legal problems for surviving family members if they should die, a for is

Illinois bar group calls for sweeping law school reforms

Report says young lawyers graduate with debt burden considered 'unsustainable'

March 28, 2013

PR Newswire

The Illinois State Bar Association has released a 53-page report, supported with research and testimony from statewide hearings, that calls for dramatic changes in the way law schools deliver education."The current system of educating law is E.

Shortage of young financial adviser talent said waning

'Top 40 under 40' list honorees foresee influx of budding professionals

March 14, 2013

PR Newswire

The concern over a lack of young financial advisers that has been dominating industry news is becoming less warranted, say two men named to a list of the country's "top 40 under 40" registered investment advisers."Forbes, Cerulli Associates, W.

Going to dentist, working out, or prepping for future?

Financial planning trails mundane activities on list of priorities, survey finds

March 14, 2013

PR Newswire

Americans who are actively planning for retirement are more likely to visit the dentist or exercise regularly this year than spend time on their investments or retirement planning, according to the findings of a retirement survey.More than eight

Parents' good examples help guide financial literacy

Offspring raised in such an environment found more confident in future

March 14, 2013

A new study finds that Americans whose parents set good financial examples are more likely to be among the 62 percent of Americans who have a financial plan and feel confident in their financial future.The first results of the Psychology of this

Many factors go into deciding when to sell company

Start planning strategy early; make operations a focal point before exit

March 14, 2013

Ed Kirk

Much has been written about the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and its impact on average wage earners. But for business owners nearing retirement, the issues are far more complicated. Tax rates are up, the pace of mergers and acquisitions is

â€”Photo courtesy of Ronald McDonald House

Charitable events might grow with economy, some say

Original ideas continue to be most profitable; some are reaching their capacity

March 14, 2013

Linn Parish

Inland Northwest nonprofits say the number of fundraising events could be on the rise this year after some charities had to cancel or downsize events in recent years.Jennifer Evans, owner of Spokane-based Encore Events & Presentations, says, to

Investment brokerage gears for growth

McAdams Wright Ragen expects staff here to triple within the next two years

March 14, 2013

Jessica Valencia

Tom Guthrie has been in the investment brokerage business for almost two decades, and says he's hopeful the roughly year-old Spokane branch of Seattle-based brokerage company McAdams Wright Ragen Inc. will continue to grow here on the heels of into

CFA Society dinner set for tonight

Two seasoned strategists to speak at annual event here for investment pros

March 14, 2013

The CFA Society of Spokane, an organization of financial analysts, portfolio managers, and other investment professionals, is bringing two prominent investment strategists as keynote speakers for its 19th Annual Economic Forecast Dinner meeting at

Raising the bar at the YMCA

Citing rising demand for services, nonprofit boosts fundraising goal by 10 percent

March 14, 2013

Treva Lind

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest relies on donations to provide community services regardless of a person's ability to pay, and because of increasing need, the nonprofit has raised its fundraising goal this year by nearly 10 percent, its top annual