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Financial Planners & Advisors

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Kari Frink, CFP®
Wealth Advisor & Trust Services
LNW
Wealth management and financial planning for individuals and families, with trust services through LNW.
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Photo of Tiffany Lane, Financial Planner at New York Life
Tiffany Lane
Financial Professional
New York Life — Seattle General Office
Retirement planning, estate planning, downsizing guidance, and legacy protection for retirees and their families throughout the Greater Seattle area.

What Financial Planners & Advisors Do

A financial planner or advisor helps older adults and their families with the financial side of major life changes: retirement income, long-term care, housing changes, estate planning, and the costs of downsizing or relocation.

The planner looks at the whole financial picture and helps clients choose options that fit their goals, resources, and family circumstances. During a move, a change in living arrangement, or the administration of an estate, a planner can help put the decisions in order.

A good planner explains the options clearly and helps the family settle on practical next steps. That matters when the financial decisions have to line up with the work of real estate, legal, and estate professionals.

Common Questions

Not always, but it often helps. Inheriting real estate has tax implications, particularly for capital gains and the stepped-up basis. A financial advisor can help you understand them before you decide whether to sell or keep the property.

When you inherit a home, its cost basis for tax purposes is "stepped up" to the market value at the time of the original owner's death, not what they originally paid. This often significantly reduces or eliminates capital gains tax if you sell the home shortly after inheriting it. A financial advisor or CPA can explain how this applies to your situation.

Washington State has its own estate tax, separate from the federal one. The Department of Revenue lists an exclusion of $3,000,000 for deaths from July 1, 2026 ($3,076,000 for January to June 2026). This is lower than the federal threshold, meaning some Washington families are affected by the state tax even when no federal estate tax is owed. A financial planner familiar with Washington law can help families plan ahead.

Senior living costs vary widely in the Puget Sound area. A financial advisor can help families understand what's affordable, how to use home sale proceeds, and whether long-term care insurance or other resources apply. Planning early usually leaves more options.

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) focuses primarily on taxes: filing returns, calculating tax owed, and advising on tax strategy. A financial planner takes a broader view that covers investments, retirement income, long-term care planning, and overall financial goals. For estate matters, it often makes sense to work with both.
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Professional Disclosure

Real Property Planning is an educational and connection hub. It does not provide legal, tax, accounting, financial, brokerage, or appraisal services. Professionals referenced on this site are independently licensed and operate through their own separate businesses. Real estate brokerage services are provided by David Stein, a licensed Washington broker, through eXp Realty. Appraisal services are provided by David Stein through Stein Appraisal. Read the full disclaimer.

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Real Property Planning is an independent educational hub. It does not provide legal, financial, tax, real estate brokerage, medical, or other professional services. Professionals referenced on this site are independently licensed and operate through their own separate businesses. Full disclaimer.

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