Wealth Stories- The Reyes-Rivers Family

By Clear Perspective Advisors on September 30, 2026

PLANNING THEIR FUTURE AS A SAME-SEX COUPLE

Overview

The Reyes-Rivers family — Paul Reyes (50), an architect, and his husband, Jordan Rivers (52), a nonprofit executive — was focused on building a secure financial future that reflected their shared goals. Paul and Jordan never had children, but they provided financial and emotional support for Paul’s aging mother, who was dealing with the early stages of dementia. Approaching their mid-50s, they recognized the importance of comprehensive financial planning to help protect their assets, support their caregiving responsibilities, and prepare for a comfortable retirement.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Joint Financial Planning– Paul and Jordan wanted a financial plan that would address both their shared and individual goals while also considering their responsibilities as caregivers. Our wealth management team assessed their combined assets, savings, and retirement accounts, working with the couple to develop a comprehensive plan that reflected their individual needs and aspirations, optimizing their financial resources while considering their long-term objectives. This plan included strategies for managing their investments, reducing tax liabilities, and crafting a retirement plan that allowed them to enjoy a fulfilling life together while continuing to support Paul’s mother.
2. Estate Planning and Legal Protections- As a couple without children, Paul and Jordan were challenged with determining who to name in their legal documents. Through discussions with their advisor, they learned the advantages of naming a corporate trustee and executor, relieving the burden — and liability — so often placed on family and friends. Collaborating with their legal advisors, we guided them through the process of drafting wills, establishing a joint trust that included provisions for Paul’s mother’s care, and creating powers of attorney that clearly articulated their intentions and wishes. They named our in-house trust company as executor and successor trustee of their trust, providing Paul and Jordan with the assurance that their assets would be protected and distributed according to their wishes. The team also assisted them in updating beneficiary designations across all their accounts to reflect their marriage and caregiving responsibilities.
3. Long Term Care- Preparing for potential health challenges was a main priority for Paul and Jordan, especially given Paul’s family history. We helped them navigate the complexities of selecting the right insurance solution to protect their financial stability if either spouse should pass away early, or in the event they someday required extended long-term care.
4. Philanthropy and Charitable Giving- Both Paul and Jordan were deeply committed to philanthropy and wanted to continue making a positive impact in their community. We helped them explore charitable approaches and techniques—including foundations, naming charities as beneficiaries of retirement accounts, setting up charitable trusts to give them financial security while furthering their intentions (through CRATs/CRUTs), and establishing donor advised funds (DAFs). Through this education, the couple was able to make an informed decision to have our team create a charitable foundation as part of their estate plan, allowing them to continue supporting the causes they care about throughout their lives and beyond. The team also created a plan for ongoing charitable giving that aligned with their financial goals, enabling them to make a meaningful difference while still achieving their personal objectives. Their foundation also included provisions for honoring Paul’s mother’s legacy by supporting dementia research and care initiatives.

Outcome

Paul and Jordan achieved the financial security and confidence they needed to plan for their future together while caring for Paul’s mother. We provided them with a comprehensive financial plan that addressed their distinctive needs as a same-sex couple and caregivers, safeguarding their assets, and fulfilling their philanthropic ambitions. With a clear and carefully crafted plan in place, Paul and Jordan could focus on enjoying their life together, knowing their financial future was secure, their caregiving responsibilities were supported, and their legacy would continue to benefit the community for years to come.

* Although this story is representative of the work we do to support the clients we serve, all individuals are fictional and do not represent actual clients.