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Estate Planning
The Plan for What You Want to Leave Behind.
Estate planning is the part of the plan most people put off. It's also the part with the highest cost of getting wrong — outdated beneficiaries, mistitled accounts, and trust structures that no longer fit. The work is mostly catching all the small things before they matter.
Black Diamond works alongside your estate attorney and accountant. We don't draft documents — that's their job. Our role is to keep beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust structures aligned with the rest of your plan and with Delaware's specific rules.
How We Can Help
Client Case Study
Walt & Maureen
Ages: 71 & 69
Key Concerns:
- Children from two marriages
- Wills drafted in another state and never revisited
- A beach house owned before the marriage
Walt and Maureen married in their fifties, each with grown children. Their wills were written in Pennsylvania two decades earlier and had not been opened since the move to Delaware. The Bethany house was Walt's before the marriage and still titled that way; the beneficiary on his largest retirement account still named his first wife. Neither of them believed that was what their documents said, and both were clear about what they intended — the paperwork simply hadn't caught up. Black Diamond worked alongside their attorney to reconcile titling, beneficiary designations, and the documents themselves, so that what happens is what they expect to happen. The uncomfortable conversation about which children inherit what came first, not last.
Please Note: The above Case Study is hypothetical and does not involve an actual client. Clients and prospective clients could experience different results while engaged with BDFS Capital.
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Schedule a free 30-minute conversation with a Black Diamond CFP® professional. No paperwork, no pitch.
Schedule a Free Consultation (302) 265-2236Client Review
“We didn’t believe we needed a financial advisor for our investments. We were unaware of how many other services they provide that helped our wealth management. Cameron Fitzgerald and Derrick Diksa have been involved in our retirement needs, tax saving strategy, estate planning and advice for complex financial choices. They are with us every step of the way, which is lacking at many businesses. I have been very pleased with the help Cameron and Derrick provide. Samantha Nichols and Ariel Quintanilla are also always ready to assist you when needed. This is a professional and personable team that is always looking out for your best interest. It’s amazing what I have learned in such a short time and I should have contacted them sooner. Thank you for all you have done so far, and this is just the beginning of our journey!”
Posted publicly on Google Reviews in March 2025 by a current client.
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Common Questions
Estate Planning — Common Questions
Does Black Diamond draft estate documents?
No. We work alongside your estate attorney, who drafts and updates the legal documents. Our role is to make sure beneficiary designations, account titling, and trust structures are aligned with the plan — and with Delaware's specific rules.
Do I need a will if I have a trust?
Most people need both. A trust handles assets titled into the trust; a pour-over will catches anything else and names a guardian for minor children. This is a question for an estate attorney, and we can introduce you to one.
How is Delaware different for estate planning?
Delaware is widely considered one of the most trust-friendly states — favorable trust law, no state-level estate tax, and a court system experienced in trust matters. For families relocating from out of state, an estate review is often the highest-value first step.