From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear | Q2 2025

Planning for the Future: Why Estate Planning Matters More Than You Think

We hope this edition of The Journey finds you and your loved ones well. We’re all feeling the current market volatility. The roller coaster is uncomfortable, to say the least, but our investment plans are built to help manage the inevitable ups and downs. With so much turmoil in the markets, we decided not to write an article trying to predict the outcome of this recent instability. History tells us that instability eventually passes. Instead, we’ve decided to use this article to focus on where we have a bit more control right now – encouraging you to ensure you have an estate plan in place. And if you do have an estate plan, updating it regularly is vital.

As financial planners with over 25 years of experience guiding clients through every stage of their financial journeys, we’ve come to appreciate that estate planning is one of the most misunderstood—and yet most essential—components of a comprehensive financial strategy. Over the years, we’ve witnessed firsthand the confidence a well-structured plan can bring, as well as the challenges families face when those plans are absent or incomplete. Estate planning isn't just about distributing assets after death. It's about ensuring your wishes are respected, your loved ones are cared for, and your legacy lives on as you intend.

A well-constructed estate plan outlines everything you want accomplished during hardships. Like a will, legacy planning summarizes your intentions for, well, everything. The plan establishes what happens to assets and what you want for your family and business should you find yourself unable to make these decisions. It stipulates medical interventions that simplify decisions that may mentally cripple loved ones. Unlike a will (a part of the estate plan), making arrangements for an estate is a more comprehensive set of documents and strategies that solidify the distribution of assets and plans for you, family members, business associates, etc. Its scope is broader than a will and addresses lifetime and post-death situations.

Having an estate plan in place helps reduce or even eliminate potential conflicts that could arise in the event of incapacitation. Therefore, regularly reviewing your estate plan helps make any necessary updates to keep it current.

Key Elements That Impact Estate Planning

Legacy planning ensures your assets are managed per your wishes when necessary. Like a will, it outlines distribution and responsibility across any party or entity that you choose. The document delegates decision-making, provides for loved ones, details medical and financial matters, and alleviates the stress for those left behind. It sidesteps complexities associated with regional estate laws like probate and can minimize tax enforcement and other burdens.
However, making arrangements for the estate is not set in stone. People and situations change and, in turn, could significantly impact what happens to your estate. This includes:

● Marriage and remarriages
● Divorce
● Children
● Deaths
● Business purchases or sales
● Relocation
● Health changes
● Changes in relationships
● New tax laws
● Income or family growth

Estate plans must account for life changes. If not, the plan can attempt to execute no longer relevant actions. You want to include new spouses and adopted children. The document may need altering because an ex-wife/husband is out of the picture or you have specific instructions for a revamped board membership. You may want to change the power of attorney. New conditions may influence health directives, guardianship of minor offspring, or require valid documentation for the state where you've bought the property. The passing of a fiduciary could create unnecessary complexity if they're left in the estate plan.

Not updating plans can lead to conflict, completely negating the document's intent.

Reviewing Your Estate Plan: The Steps

At CrossleyShear, we highly recommend revisiting your plan at regular intervals. At the least, we suggest every three to five years, even if life has seen no major upheavals. A situation can arise that you may not even know makes a change necessary. You might want to include funding for a grandchild’s education, adjust for your children reaching adulthood, or create a trust to support a loved one with special needs.
Periodically reviewing your estate plans ensures your legacy is preserved and passed on according to your wishes. Without periodic assessments, the chances of missing a detail are significantly increased. That's a detriment to everyone and your intent, creating the very legal quagmire you hope to avoid.

CrossleyShear helps ensure that your affairs are compliant for:

● Fiduciary roles
● Asset titling
● Beneficiary designations
● Liability protection
● Adult children's estate plans
● Estate tax mitigation steps
● Pre-planning for medical and funeral arrangements
● Compilation and security of records

Tailored Estate Planning at CrossleyShear

CrossleyShear enhances well-being and confidence by setting up sound financial planning. And we understand that the strategies behind estate planning need personalization. We do not apply one-size-fits-all methodologies for managing the future. Whether you're creating an estate plan or simply making sure yours is up to date, CrossleyShear can help guide you through the process with coordinating with your estate attorney and CPA, working together as a unified team.

Any opinions are those of CrossleyShear Wealth Management and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear 

We hope your 2025 is off to a great start! To kick off the year on the right foot, we’re diving into key topics like annual reviews, estate planning, effective communication, and a few fun health tips on what else – the benefits of dancing! After all, we firmly believe that financial health and your emotional and physical health are interconnected. Financial freedom reduces stress, and good overall health promotes longevity so you can enjoy a long, happy retirement!

CrossleyShear Annual Reviews

An annual review with our clients is required to help you look deeper at your current investment portfolio. The review process will guide you through ensuring that your portfolio aligns with your investment goals. It will also help you consider your desired risk levels and any recent life changes that might have affected those objectives in the last year. Your participation is essential so we can understand your evolving financial needs and continue to provide you with the highest degree of service and support.

Please don't hesitate to contact us or schedule your review meeting here at your earliest convenience.

A Fresh Start—Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?

The new year is also a great time to update your estate plan. Estate planning addresses the distribution of assets to key beneficiaries in the event of your demise. Of course, a person's assets and the needs of their beneficiaries often change over time. Keeping your estate plan up-to-date and keeping your beneficiaries informed is essential.

Make sure your named beneficiaries are up to date on the details of your estate plan, update your assets, and adapt your plan to your family's evolving needs.

Reminder: Compliance-Approved Texting Available – But Not for Financial Orders

As a reminder, we have compliance-approved numbers for texting, making it easier to stay in touch with your advisor. However, for security and regulatory reasons, financial orders cannot be accepted via text, email, or voicemail.

Orders can only be placed in person or over the phone.

Please continue using the designated compliance-approved numbers below for texting:

Dale Crossley Private Wealth Advisor | Branch Manager, RJFS: 321.455.0440

Evan Shear CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® | Branch Manager, RJFS: 407.638.8675

Catalina Mejia-Hensel Financial Advisor: 321.340.6700

Shaun Jones Financial Advisor: 321.359.7709

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our communications secure and compliant!

Dance Your Way to a Healthier, Happier 2025

If you want 2025 to be even better than 2024, prioritizing your health is a great place to start. When you feel your best, you have more energy, focus, and clarity to enjoy and optimize the year ahead. One simple yet powerful way to enhance both your physical and mental well-being? Dancing.

Dancing is a fun and effective way to boost cardiovascular health, improve flexibility, and even enhance the quality of your sleep. Studies show that dancing helps reduce stress, elevate mood, and promote deeper, more restorative rest by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol levels. Just a few minutes of movement each day can help you feel more refreshed, energized, and ready to take on new challenges.

At CrossleyShear, we believe in overall wellness—financial, physical, and emotional. Just as small, consistent steps can improve your health, they also lead to financial confidence and well-being. Whether you're dancing to relieve stress or setting financial goals for the future, simple, sustainable actions can help you create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If financial stress keeps you up at night, we’re here to help you develop a strategy that allows you to focus on what matters most—your well-being and the life you’ve built. Let’s make 2025 a great year together—one step (or dance) at a time!

Any opinions are those of CrossleyShear Wealth Management and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Document shredding and food drive

Clean out your cabinets and drawers of those old documents and bring them to be safely shredded, on site, by the professionals of Shred it™ and enjoy some good food and live music!

When: May 31st

Where: Outside of the Merritt Island office 2395 N. Courtenay Parkway

Time: 11:00am-2:00pm

Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for our Food Drive to benefit Harvest Time International

Please Donate:

Low sodium canned vegetables - Canned meats - Canned soups - Boxed oatmeal or grits - Canola or olive oil - Peanut butter - Nuts - No sugar added fruit cups - Canned beans - Granola/Protein bars - Pasta - Beans - Rice - Dry powdered milk

Questions please contact

Karin@crossleyshear.com or call 321-452-0061

Raymond James is not affiliated with Harvest Time International, Shred-it, or 4th Street Fillin Station.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

No timing needed

Help overcome market timing and loss aversion with dollar-cost averaging.

Dollar-cost averaging — regularly investing money in the market — is an age-old strategy for mitigating investment price risk. Commonly applied by 401(k) plan savers, it could also be a useful strategy for experienced investors with larger sums, especially during periods of uncertainty or when emotional reluctance is high.

Dollar-cost averaging: the theory behind the practice

Dollar-cost averaging involves regularly investing a consistent amount of money to purchase a specific asset, or group of assets, regardless of their price. For example, an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan is set up this way. With each paycheck, you invest a regular percentage of your earnings in defined assets, generally mutual funds, that you have previously selected.

This strategy helps prevent you from stressing over decisions on when to invest in the market. With the regular-investment approach, you don’t focus on whether the asset you’re purchasing is at a good price for purchase. Rather than try to time the market, you buy it each week or month or whatever the interval is.

The theory underpinning this strategy is that asset prices will go up and down in unpredictable ways, and if you buy shares regularly, the average share price you pay – that is, the dollar-cost average – won’t be too high. When prices are lower, your money will buy more shares than the same amount will buy when prices are higher, bringing down your price-per-share cost. This, in turn, can help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio.

Potential benefits and limitations of dollar-cost averaging

In addition to the theoretical benefit of avoiding an overly high purchase price, dollar-cost averaging presents other potential benefits.

For relatively early savers, regularly investing in the market builds the investing habit and may help you feel more at ease with investing in general.

For those with large cash balances, it can be a way to invest – or reinvest. Cash tends to lose value over time due to inflation. Especially as interest rates go down, cutting into your cash’s return potential, dollar-cost averaging can help address the emotional challenge of loss aversion, which often has the potential to lead to inaction.

However, dollar cost averaging could also leave some returns on the table when markets are rallying, and it does not mitigate some other investment risks.

Another approach: lump-sum investing

Given that time in the market is often an advantage, investing all your money at once could be more effective than investing it incrementally over time. This all-in approach is known as lump-sum investing.

Lump-sum investing can be an effective strategy given certain market conditions. For example, in a rising market, particular assets will rise in price on average, so investing a lump sum at the outset can enable you to acquire more shares, and therefore more value, compared to investing fixed amounts over time.

But if you invest all your money at once, and the price drops, you may suffer losses that could persist for a few years or longer. Under these conditions, dollar-cost averaging would lead to owning more shares.

With dollar-cost averaging, you can avoid the risk that you’ve mistimed the market.

Choosing the right strategy for you

There’s no one-size-fits all answer when it comes to your investment strategy. Whether dollar-cost averaging is the right strategy for your investment goals depends on multiple factors, including the time horizon to your financial goal, your available cash, market conditions, and investment opportunities.

Your financial advisor can help you weigh these different considerations and make a choice that feels right for you.

There is no assurance any investment strategy will be successful. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of capital. Dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss. It involves continuous investment regardless of fluctuating price levels of such securities. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low-price levels..

Sources: forbes.com; cnbc.com; etrade.com; ndvr.com; aarp.org

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.