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ALTON - Community members can learn more about estate planning and taxes at an upcoming free dinner seminar.
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At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Stephens Planning and Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., will host the seminar at The Wedge in Alton. Curtis Stephens and Mark Goldenberg emphasized that the goal is to help attendees prepare and avoid family conflicts as they finalize their estates.
“People don’t understand how probate, wills and trusts are deeply connected to your finances and your family’s stability,” Stephens said. “Come in and ask questions. See how this applies to your family. Leave with something you can use.”
Stephens Planning focuses on helping people manage their finances, while Goldenberg and his law firm assist folks who are managing their estates. The two often work together to support their clients and make sure they have their finances and wishes in order.
Stephens talks about leaving behind a “financial legacy” for your family. Similarly, Goldenberg believes estate planning is about helping people avoid “family feuds” or other issues that could impact your loved ones after your death.
Goldenberg always reminds clients that they aren’t trying to “control things from the grave,” but rather to help their loved ones. He shared the “golden rule” of estate planning: “It’s your gold, so you get to make all the rules.”
“You’re not necessarily planning to die just because you do estate planning. It’s just to take care of your family. It’s important,” he added. “We always tell clients it’s about protecting your family. You’re here because you want to protect your family.”
Stephens believes the upcoming seminar is valuable because attendees can gain insight from both himself and Goldenberg. Financial planning and estate planning are important parts of creating the “financial legacy” that Stephens helps his clients build.
“I’m a fiduciary. I can make you money. I’m not guaranteeing that, of course, depending on your investment. But that’s probably the easiest part of my job,” Stephens said. “The hard part is coordinating taxes, income and things that happen in life, and coordinating things that Mark can step in and help with. That is a true plan that is coordinated, not just making you money. That’s the difference that we do here at Stephens Planning.”
Goldenberg also noted that planning can help families avoid “silly” fights or other conflicts over estates. It’s important to him to help people maintain their relationships and give peace of mind to his clients.
“We want to try to avoid the situation where siblings don’t talk for five years because they fought about Mom and Dad’s estate, when we can do something to help prevent that,” he explained. “You want to avoid the fact that you’re at the end of life and your kids are fighting about something. That’s the last thing a parent wants to see, is their family having a family feud. It’s all about communication and planning.”
The seminar will help people take those first steps. In addition to the information, attendees can enjoy dinner from a local restaurant and prizes throughout the hourlong presentation. Stephens and Goldenberg encourage community members to come with questions.
They hope the event will be an opportunity for folks to get their questions answered and take the first steps toward financial and estate planning. They’re happy to work with people one-on-one after the seminar, but their aim is to share important general information so attendees can start thinking about their futures.
“I don’t tell my clients what to do. Part of my job is to educate, inform and empower, and then be a guide to what’s best for them,” Stephens said. “To be able to help someone on that level and watch the connection and know that they’re leaving with a nugget, like, ‘Hey, I’m going to go do this right now’ — that’s serving in a capacity that makes a difference. I get excited about that.”
For more information about the free estate planning and taxes dinner seminar, including how to register, click here. To learn more about Stephens Planning and how they can help you, visit their official website.
This Featured Article is sponsored by Stephens Planning. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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