FAQ

Most advisors build portfolios from the same universe of mutual funds and ETFs available on any major platform. We go further. For the right clients, we incorporate custom structured notes, private credit, interval funds, and other alternative investments that provide non-correlated returns, defined risk parameters, and income streams that traditional portfolios cannot replicate. These are institutional-quality tools that most retail investors simply don't have access to through a standard brokerage relationship.

Structured notes are customized investment products linked to the performance of a market index, with built-in features like principal protection barriers, defined return caps, and automatic call provisions. They are not right for everyone, but for clients with the appropriate risk profile, time horizon, and liquidity needs, they can provide meaningful advantages — including defined downside protection and enhanced return potential in flat or moderately rising markets. William Clinton has nearly two decades of experience with structured products and holds the CIMA® designation, one of the most rigorous investment management credentials in the industry.

Yes. For qualified clients, we incorporate alternative investments including private credit, private equity, and interval funds as part of a diversified portfolio strategy. These investments offer return streams that are not correlated with traditional stock and bond markets, which can meaningfully reduce overall portfolio volatility and improve long-term outcomes for the right clients.

Risk management at Riverstone is not just about asset allocation percentages. It involves understanding each client's specific income needs, time horizon, tax situation, and emotional tolerance for volatility — and building a portfolio that reflects all of those dimensions. For some clients, structured notes with defined barriers provide better downside protection than a traditional bond allocation. For others, diversification across traditional and alternative asset classes is the right approach. We do not apply a one-size-fits-all model.

Yes, though we are not tax preparers and do not file returns. What we do is tax-aware financial planning — meaning every investment, withdrawal, and financial decision we make is evaluated through a tax lens. We coordinate closely with your CPA and think proactively about strategies like Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, Required Minimum Distribution planning, and income timing to minimize your lifetime tax burden.

A Roth conversion involves moving money from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, paying taxes now in exchange for tax-free growth and withdrawals in the future. Whether it makes sense depends on your current tax bracket, expected future income, Medicare situation, and time horizon. It is one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — strategies in retirement tax planning. We have written extensively about this in our Tax Planning Series on the Riverstone blog.

Yes. A significant portion of our practice involves working with independent women navigating major financial transitions — divorce, the loss of a spouse, inheritance, or simply taking full control of their finances for the first time. These situations require both technical expertise and genuine sensitivity to what someone is going through personally. We understand that financial decisions made during a major life transition have long-lasting consequences, and we take that responsibility seriously.

The Widow's Tax Penalty refers to the higher tax burden a surviving spouse often faces after the death of a partner. Because they must file as a single taxpayer starting the year after the death, their income is taxed at compressed single-filer rates, which can result in significantly higher taxes on the same income. With advance planning — including Roth conversions, Social Security timing, and coordinated withdrawal strategies — much of this impact can be reduced or managed. We have written a detailed article on this topic in our Tax Planning Series.

Yes. Helping business owners navigate the financial complexity of a company sale is one of the areas we are most passionate about. The period leading up to and following a business sale involves significant decisions around tax planning, investment of proceeds, estate planning, and retirement income strategy. We have firsthand experience quarterbacking liquidity events and work closely with investment bankers, M&A attorneys, and tax advisors to make sure our clients are well-positioned before, during, and after the transaction.

Ideally 3-5 years before a planned exit. The planning decisions made in the years before a sale — including how the business is structured, how proceeds will be invested, and what tax strategies are available — can have an enormous impact on the net outcome. Waiting until a deal is on the table significantly reduces your options.