Strengthen Relationships Today and for Tomorrow

By Wealth Planning Group

Preferred Life

November 24, 2025

Setting the table for success

Coming together during the holidays can evoke complex emotions, ranging from excitement to anxiety to even a sense of gloom amid seemingly new norms of polarization. But when we come to the table resigned to disappointment, we close ourselves off to opportunities to strengthen trust and deepen bonds.

Approach your holiday table with intentionality

As we gather—virtually or in person—we have the choice to pause, reflect and reconnect. We can decide to bring new skills and approaches to our tables that are more likely to strengthen connections and build trust. We can replace performative behaviors with authenticity, turn conflict into moments of credibility, and use curiosity to create connection—all with the goal of leading our families toward better outcomes.

For practical tips on rethinking your family interactions, watch our most recent webinar What Will You Bring to Your Table? A Conversation for Family Thriving This Holiday Season.

Set a plan that strengthens the family

Just as gathering for the holidays can strengthen family ties, thoughtful estate planning and purposeful trusts can grow and extend family thriving across generations.[1] In effective planning, electing the right trustee is a critical—and often overlooked—part of “setting the table” for enduring stewardship of your family’s values, financial wealth, and intentions. Increasingly, families are turning to corporate trustees to provide expertise, impartiality, and durability. Pathstone affiliate Willow Street has created a detailed explanation of the differences between individual and corporate trustees and approaches to engaging trustees in their article Understanding the Benefits of a Corporate Trustee.

Willow Street, a Pathstone affiliate, provides responsive, relationship-focused professional trustee services in Wyoming and Nevada.

For more year-end guidance, please see these articles:

What Matters Most to You — This Season and Beyond? Creating a long-term vision and strategy

Head into Year-End with Confidence: 2025 year-end planning considerations

2025 Year-End Planning Checklist: Guidance for reviewing your financial – and non-financial – wealth

Protect Your Digital Life: Guidance for managing cybersecurity risk

Will You Do More with Your Philanthropy This Year? Check gifting plans before year-end

Strategic Business Planning Opportunities: New possibilities for proactive and strategic planning

What Is the Value of Time? Pause to rethink how you spend this precious commodity

Keeping Yourself—and the Season—Merry and Bright: Prepare for the holidays with a focus on health

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the key takeaways presented here, we encourage you to contact your advisor or click below.

Start a conversation

[1] Pathstone will act solely in its capacity as a registered investment advisor and does not provide any legal advice. Although Pathstone can provide accounting and tax services, the client should seek the counsel of a qualified accountant and/or attorney when necessary. Pathstone may assist clients with tax harvesting, and we will work with a client’s tax specialist to answer any questions related to the client’s portfolio account. Any tax advice contained herein, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

DISCLOSURES

Pathstone provides a wide range of services to help clients pursue their financial goals. References to specific services are illustrative and may not be available in all situations. Engagement with Pathstone does not guarantee specific outcomes. Additionally, some services may be delivered by third-party service providers, either engaged by Pathstone or directly by clients, and are subject to separate agreements. Pathstone makes no warranties regarding third-party services and assumes no liability for their use. 

As a registered investment adviser, Pathstone does not offer legal advice, and registration does not imply a certain level of skill. While Pathstone may offer accounting and tax services, clients should consult qualified professionals as needed. 

This presentation is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any investment product. For detailed service descriptions and disclosures, refer to Pathstone’s Form ADV, available upon request or via the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. 

Opinions expressed are based on assumptions and may change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is no assurance that investment objectives will be met or that losses will be avoided. Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against market loss.

Pathstone will act solely in its capacity as a registered investment advisor and does not provide any legal advice. Although Pathstone can provide accounting and tax services, the client should seek the counsel of a qualified accountant and/or attorney when necessary. Pathstone may assist clients with tax harvesting, and we will work with a client’s tax specialist to answer any questions related to the client’s portfolio account. Any tax advice contained herein, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.