News & Insights

Resources on Trusts, Investments, Estate Planning, Financial Issues, and Living Well

Your Estate Plan Names the Fiduciary. Your Transition Plan Helps Them Act. Estate planning often focuses on who will act when a client can no longer act for themselves. That question matters. But for clients who name Mission Management & Trust Co. (“Mission Trust”) as successor trustee, agent under a financial power of attorney, personal […]

Market Update and Economic Developments US. large cap equity growth slowed in June after a strong second quarter, with the S&P 500 Index finishing slightly negative for the month (-0.95%) and up 15.20% for the quarter—the best second quarter for the S&P in six years. Although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a more [...]
Charitable giving is deeply personal. For individuals, families, dioceses, and faith-based organizations, it often reflects a lifetime of values, priorities, and purpose. But as giving becomes more intentional, it can also become more complex. Managing contributions, tracking receipts, reviewing grant requests, coordinating with advisors, and maintaining long-term charitable plans can require significant time, structure, and [...]

When a Beneficiary Requests a Trust Distribution What a Corporate Trustee Considers When a beneficiary asks for money from a trust, the request may seem simple. For a corporate trustee, it is a fiduciary decision. The trustee must follow the trust document, honor the settlor’s intent, treat beneficiaries fairly, and protect trust assets for their […]

Market Update and Economic Developments The S&P 500 posted a strong 5.26% return in May, finishing the month at record highs and bringing the year-to-date return to 11.27%. This marks a strong reversal from the market low at the end of March, with the index rallying close to 20% since the market bottom. Technology led [...]

Shared Stewardship: Planning for Life’s Transitions — Not Just What Happens After Death When families begin planning for the future of a loved one with disabilities or long-term support needs, the conversation often starts with a single question: Who should serve as trustee? No doubt this is an important decision. Trustees carry significant legal and […]

Market Update and Economic Developments April saw a sharp rebound in equities following March’s geopolitics-driven selloff, as easing concerns around energy supply disruptions and strong corporate earnings growth lifted markets broadly. With earnings season in full swing, year-over-year Q1 earnings growth is on pace to increase by approximately 27%. Large cap equities led the recovery [...]

Taxation of Special Needs Trusts Key Planning Considerations for 2026 Administering a special needs trust means more than following the rules. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that balance taxes with long-term benefit protection. Special needs trusts (SNTs) are designed to do something very specific: Preserve assets while protecting access to means-tested benefits. But from a […]

Market Update and Economic Developments March saw a relatively dramatic pullback in equities across geographies, with the S&P 500 recording nearly a 5% loss for the month and international stocks down more than double domestic stocks. Much of this stress on the market can be attributed to the war in Iran and the closure of [...]
    The rapidly evolving conflict in Iran has had major short-term ramifications on commodity prices, expectations for inflation and Federal Reserve action, and the stock market in recent weeks. Crude oil prices have spiked with the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.  While the US is now a net exporter of oil, a supply [...]