University Investment Services

University Investment Services Led by Benjamin Bolen, CFP®, our work helps families prepare for retirement, aging, caregiving, estate planning, and legacy decisions with greater clarity.

Financial planning, investment guidance, and coordination for life’s most important transitions.

07/13/2026

You're building a plan for the boardroom and courtroom that won't survive the living room.

The corporate attorney and team of private wealth managers in their downtown offices are focused on protecting the estate and governance of your family.

Great, that's the critical foundation, but it's where most plans stop.

And governance doesn't translate to the family confidently stepping in to manage care and ensure you age with dignity.

It doesn't ensure your kids are on the same page.

And creating an estate is not the same thing as creating a legacy.

Legacy is about honoring your memory in your family, not just putting your name on a plaque in a building.

If you would give anything to protect your legacy, you have to take a different approach.

07/09/2026

When you suddenly become the Power of Attorney or primary caregiver... what's the next step?

Most families don't need more information.

They need a plan.

In the middle of a crisis, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I encourage families to think through the ABCs before trying to solve everything at once.

A — Authority
Can you legally make decisions? Locate the Power of Attorney, healthcare documents, trust, will, and any other documents that establish who is authorized to act.

B — Banking, Benefits & Bills
What can you actually access and control? Identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance policies, income sources, recurring bills, debts, and monthly obligations.

C — Cash Flow
Liquidity is critical. Start with available checking and savings before making unnecessary investment moves. Be mindful of retirement account distributions, capital gains, and other transactions that could create unexpected taxes.

D — Delegate Care
What care needs exist today? Which tasks can family handle, and where would a home health aide, care manager, hospice, or other professionals reduce stress and improve outcomes?

E — Everyone Communicates
Create a shared care calendar. Keep siblings informed. Build a respite plan. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and helps keep families united during difficult seasons.

I'm building out a system to make this easier, so stay tuned.

The first thing you should do when thinking about your estate plan is find an attorney and get a Trust.This is one of th...
06/29/2026

The first thing you should do when thinking about your estate plan is find an attorney and get a Trust.

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.

I commend the estate planning lobby for their marketing efforts. When I talk to someone about authority, care, and legacy planning, they immediately think they need a Trust.

Although many avoid it, because setting one up isn't cheap.

And if they have a Trust, they think they're all set.

News flash: a Trust does not guarantee your family avoids conflict.

It also doesn't guarantee that your POA or Trustee is prepared for their roles.

It avoids probate. It may control distributions. It may help with taxes.

It is not the unicorn magic pill that fixes everything.

Estate planning is not one document. It's a complete review of your plans for authority transfer, financial transfer, property transfer, and decisions around your care and your life.

Doing this in a way that prepares those in charge while minimizing family conflict takes a different approach. That's where I come in.

Do we work with qualified attorneys to plan, implement, and draft the documents? Absolutely, but it's not the first and only step.

What if you could analyze your 1040 tax return and see all the ways you could be saving on taxes?This isn't about filing...
06/24/2026

What if you could analyze your 1040 tax return and see all the ways you could be saving on taxes?

This isn't about filing, this is about planning and strategy.

People make decisions all the time that effect their tax situation without ever knowing the total impact.

When I tell my clients, "we're always looking at the finances through the tax lens", this is what I mean.

Highlights of the credits eligibility.

Run scenarios to see the impact of a Roth conversion, capital gain, IRA distribution, loss of income, or other financial decision.

Snapshots and summaries of your incomes, brackets, deductions, credits and so on.

Just another way we're helping families have clarity before crisis.

06/12/2026

Yes, your home is an investment.

That's my belief when someone asks, "is your home really an investment? Are you better off buying or renting?"

I did some deep diving into this age old question with a loan officer who specializes in real estate lending.

We wanted to run the numbers and see if it yields more owning a home versus renting and investing the difference.

As we discussed it, I noticed you'd have a long list of assumptions before even starting the numbers.

Because taxes become a big factor (capital gains, property taxes, tax write offs)

Assumed rates of return and cost of living are also key.

Other aspects such as maintenance, updates, DIY or professional work, etc. all play a major role.

Are we comparing a diligent, knowledgeable investor who lives conservatively to a person whose home represents all of their personality traits?

There are intangibles that a home provides that aren't so easily calculated.

Preferred standards of living can't be ignored. Some people are willing to live in a home that requires a lot of work, while others need something with luxury appointments that's move-in-ready.

The list goes on.

At the end of the day, it's a personal situation. I can show you the numbers, but there's so much more than numbers.

Real financial planning is life planning, and you can't argue with that.

06/08/2026

3 ways you're leaving money on the table right now.

1) You have way too much cash on hand. Maybe you got burned in 2022. Maybe you're just a rainy day type of person.

1 income: 6 months of expenses
2 incomes: 3 months of expenses

Anything more than that should be placed in something that gives a higher yield. And yes, you can get more growth with low risk.

2) Your 401k and IRA are driving in the slow lane.
It's not just how much you save, but how you invest it. Odds are, you've outgrown target date funds and it's time to get into a stock heavy portfolio.

It's also a really good time to review those bond holdings.

3) You're over-insured.
What? Don't most people want to have more insurance?

Most people overlook Social Security survivor benefits.

Also, using cash value life insurance can be a huge drain on your finances or a nice opportunity for extra savings. Which one do you have?

Let's make sure your money is working as hard as you are.

06/04/2026

America faces an aging crisis, with 11,000 people retiring daily. This includes your trusted advisors—attorneys, financial planners, and doctors. What happens when your decades-long professional retires, leaving you with a stranger during a crisis? The burden falls on you to prepare.

06/02/2026

My 'why' for writing my book stems from the need to protect family and future generations. It shares stories to help families find clarity before crises arise, aiming for you to feel something as you read.

06/02/2026

Discover how family dynamics and grief profoundly impact outcomes, even for the wealthiest. These crucial conversations are often exclusive to ultra-net-worth families, but they hold universal lessons about true wealth and lasting legacy.

Caregiving is the title no one wants, but 53 million people across the United States are doing it anyway...for free.They...
05/29/2026

Caregiving is the title no one wants, but 53 million people across the United States are doing it anyway...for free.

They are choosing between their careers, their families, and caring for those who can't care for themselves any more.

Watching a loved one age, decline, and eventually pass is deeply difficult.

Losing part of yourself along the way deepens that pain.

My work is committed to easing that pain.

If you're in it now or seeing the warning signs, it may be time to bring in some support.

Address

2015 Washtenaw Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI
48104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17343729312

Website

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