Winter 2025 Newsletter

Growing with You
We are thrilled to share some exciting news – our team is growing, and with it, we’re elevating the level of service we provide to you! 2025 will be filled with exciting updates and new rollouts, all aimed at enhancing your experience and delivering even greater value. To kick things off, we’re delighted to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Morgan Arakelian, Client Associate. Morgan joined the Meeks Prosperity Planning Team at the end of last year in a supporting role to Theresa Foster. As a team that prides itself on availability, you can now call both Theresa or Morgan for service with deposits & withdrawals, transfers, statements, account questions, and scheduling. Morgan grew up just outside of Boston, Mass. and is a graduate from St. Lawrence University with a degree in Business/Communications and a minor in French. While at St. Lawrence, Morgan was Captain of the Women’s Lacrosse team, spent a semester abroad in France, and served as the Director of Member Finances for her sorority, Delta, Delta, Delta. Morgan’s active lifestyle fits well with Bozeman as she enjoys skiing, hiking, pickleball, and travel. We trust you will enjoy Morgan’s support, just as Ryan, Jase, and Theresa have.

To prepare for taxes, see our enclosed Tax Update Sheet & tips below:

1. 1099 Tax Documents are being issued
   • Most 1099s were mailed as of 2/17/25. All will be mailed by 3/15/25.
2. Tax season is prime time for identify theft
   • The IRS will never email a request for information
   • The IRS will never call about taxes owed without sending a bill in the mail
3. Have an uncomfortable tax liability? Call us
   • Municipal bond rates remain high and can avoid both Federal & State taxes
   • We have new portfolio options that actively reduce capital gains tax
4. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is currently set to expire at year-end
   • If policy is not changed, IRS tax code (including the estate or “death tax”) will revert to previous levels increasing taxes for many households

Supporting Theresa
Theresa wrapped up 2024 with a very special Christmas, celebrating with all three of her children at home – a rare and cherished occasion. It was the perfect way to close out the year. In the office, Theresa has been busy training Morgan, ensuring she is well-versed in our systems and fully equipped to support clients promptly. As expected, Theresa and Morgan make an excellent team, working seamlessly to provide the level of service you’ve come to expect. A key reason for bringing Morgan on board was to reduce Theresa’s overtime hours and support a better work life balance. With much persuasion from the team, Theresa took some deserved time off in February with her husband, Brian. Together the duo embarked on their annual trip to Mexico, this time spending a week in Cabo. The sun and surf were a welcomed reprieve from the Montana winter, and their timing was impeccable as they largely missed the cold spell in Bozeman. While south of the border, Theresa had the opportunity to take part in a sea turtle release, where they released a total of 40 hatchling sea turtles on the beach outside their resort, a highlight of the trip.

A Real Montana Winter
In the transition to 2025, Ryan was reminded just how important health is. Hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas while balancing longer hours in the office for year-end planning took its toll, and he was sidelined by a rather nasty seasonal flu. One could say the holidays “flu” by. Missing family time reinforced the need to prioritize wellbeing. This year, Ryan has a focus on time blocking—whether for clients, physical activity, or family, the calendar is now being used with more purpose. Ryan celebrated a recent birthday in January in the best way possible, skiing as a family of four. Daphne
and Brooks have been in ski lessons every Sunday for the past few years, and this season, their progress was particularly impressive (and sometimes nerve-wracking). Speed, trees, jumps, and rails—both kids now know how to keep their parents on edge. While the Meeks family has enjoyed this true Montana winter, they are also looking forward to upcoming adventures, including a Spring Break
trip to Hawaii and a family reunion in May for a graduation ceremony at the University of New Hampshire. Professionally, Ryan was honored to receive special invitations to a Wealth Planning Summit in San Diego and a President’s Club event in Chicago— recognitions that reflect the continued growth of the Meeks Prosperity Planning Team. Of course, all travel will be completed before the end of Bozeman’s shoulder season, as Ryan will not miss a Montana summer.

From Cake Bribes to Tax Tides
Jase kicked off the New Year with a trip to Maryland, spending quality time with family—including his cherished 18-month-old niece, Anna. Having been a while since his last visit, Anna wasn’t sure how she felt about this “stranger” in her house; however, after spending some time together and a small bribe of cake, Jase won her affection and the two quickly became friends again. Back in the office, Jase has been diving deep into financial plans, with a keen focus on the evolving estate tax landscape. 2025 presents a unique challenge as the estate tax exemption is set to revert to nearly half its current level unless political action is taken. While the team anticipates an extension the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will maintain current levels, responsible planning requires preparation for all scenarios. If you have an estate tax concern, please don’t hesitate to give Jase and the team a call. Looking ahead, Jase plans to attend a D.A. Davidson conference in Denver this April, where he’ll engage with investment analysts covering these fast moving markets. The onset of tariffs in global trade has created recent turbulence in the markets, but the team expects it to be temporary. We truly believe the US is negotiating from a position of strength. If we were pilots, we’d tell you there are clear skies ahead, while you should remain seated with your seat belt fastened for this part of the flight.