Most of us know the feeling.

You have a question that matters. You call a company. And instead of a person, a menu of prompts, and the hope that someone on the other end will actually care.

We’ve always believed financial advice should feel more human than that.

At Hill Investment Group, our approach to service has been guided by a few simple principles:

• Be fast – Available and respond promptly
  
• Be friendly — Warm, thoughtful, and welcoming
  
• Take ownership — If it’s important to you, it’s important to us, and we’ll see it through
  

As we’ve evolved, we’ve spent a lot of time asking a simple question: How do we grow without losing what makes the experience personal?

One answer is to lean into our people.

Our team now works coast to coast, and we’re using that to better serve you. Historically, our phones have been answered live from 8:30am to 5:30pm Central Time. Beginning February 16th, we’re expanding live phone coverage so you can reach a real person from 8:00am to 8:00pm Eastern (5:00am to 5:00pm Pacific).

The experience won’t change. No phone trees. No prompts. No outsourcing. Just a knowledgeable member of our team who’s ready to help.

Outside of those hours, our existing voicemail, email, and secure texting options will remain in place.

We don’t view this as a feature or an upgrade. It’s simply part of our responsibility to serve you well. When something is on your mind, you shouldn’t have to wait or wonder if anyone is listening.

Thank you for trusting us with what matters to you. We’re committed to showing up with care, consistency, and a very human voice on the other end of the line.

As the year comes to a close, this is a reminder that there are just a few days left to make charitable gifts that count for this year’s taxes. Many of you have already completed your giving. If generosity towards family or charity is still part of your year end plans alongside holiday gifts, there is still time to act with intention.

At Hill Investment Group, we view giving as an extension of a long view, values driven plan. Credible giving means supporting what matters to you while being thoughtful about how and when you give. For those who are eligible, charitable gifts from an IRA can be an especially efficient way to give, particularly when required minimum distributions are already part of the picture. Donor advised funds also allow families to give appreciated assets and avoid capital gains tax.

Tax law changes beginning on January 1, 2026, may reduce the value of charitable deductions for some households. For families who are already planning to give, completing gifts this year can be a thoughtful way to align generosity with 2025’s tax laws.

If year end giving is already part of your plan, now is a natural time to bring it across the finish line. Send us a note at service@HillInvestmentGroup.com if you want help accomplishing your goals for this year.

After I earned my Certified Financial Planning (CFP(R)) designation, my grandparents were both proud and curious. They asked me to take a look at their finances and see if there was anything they should be doing differently. My grandpa had always managed things on his own and had done well, but one glaring gap stood out: they hadn’t done any estate planning.

They didn’t know what a trust was or where to start. But they did know what mattered most: how they wanted their assets to pass, which of their children they trusted to handle things, and that they wanted to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for their family one day.

For someone used to doing everything himself, my grandpa recognized that this was one aspect of his life that he needed to delegate. He also saw the value in doing some work now to make life easier for his kids later, a small act of love that will one day make a big difference.

That mindset captures how we typically approach estate planning with our clients at Hill. It can feel complicated and overwhelming, but when you focus on the big picture and surround yourself with the right team, it becomes a powerful way to protect your family and preserve your legacy.

No two estate plans look the same. Some are wonderfully simple, others more complex. There’s no “right” way to do it—only what’s right for you. That’s why we take time to understand each client’s values, family dynamics, and long-term vision before collaborating with their attorneys and CPAs to design a plan that fits.

Here are a few guiding questions we use when helping clients update or establish their plan:

• Is it easy to understand? You should be able to explain the big picture in plain English.
• Does your team collaborate on your behalf? Your attorney, CPA, and Hill advisor should be aligned so your investments, taxes, and estate all work together.
• Are you avoiding probate? The right structure may help your family avoid a lengthy and expensive court process.
• Are your heirs protected? Your plan should clearly state how and by whom assets will be managed.
• Is everything included? It’s easy for accounts or property to be left out due to incorrect titling.
• Who will carry out your plan? Executors, trustees, powers of attorney, and guardians can all play important roles. It’s important to make sure they understand and accept them.

When my grandparents’ plan was complete, my mom (named as executor) told me multiple times how relieved she felt knowing everything was organized and clear. That sense of clarity is exactly what we hope to provide for every Hill family.

Estate planning isn’t one-and-done; it’s an ongoing act of care, and it’s part of Taking the Long View®. We generally recommend our clients to review their plan every five years, or sooner if life or laws change. Families grow, goals evolve, and your plan should, too.

If you’re wondering whether your plan still fits, or if you’ve been meaning to get started, we’d love to help you or a loved one take that next step.

Email us at askanadvisor@hillinvestmentgroup.com to connect with your Hill advisor and start the conversation.