Legacy Planning to Preserve Your Wealth & Values

Protect more than assets—protect the purpose behind them. Barking Sands Capital helps families, business owners, and retirees align investment, retirement, tax, insurance, and estate considerations into a thoughtful legacy plan designed to preserve wealth, clarify intentions, and carry personal values forward with confidence across generations.

Family discussing legacy planning with a financial advisor

Our Legacy Planning Services

Integrated financial strategies to preserve wealth, reduce uncertainty, and transfer values across generations.

Financial Planning

Coordinate legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial planning considerations into one organized strategy designed to support your family, values, and long-term wealth transfer goals.

Retirement Planning

Evaluate retirement income, asset distribution, 401(k) rollovers, Roth conversions, and business owner cash-balance options to help preserve wealth throughout retirement and beyond.

Tax Optimization

Use proactive tax planning, AMT awareness, retirement coordination, and business owner strategies to help reduce unnecessary tax drag on assets intended for future generations.

Protection Planning

Protect your family and financial plan with coordinated insurance strategies that address risk management needs at different stages of life, not just during retirement.

Care Planning

Plan for future care needs, Medicare-related costs, and IRMAA strategies so healthcare expenses do not unnecessarily erode retirement assets or family legacy goals.

Education Funding

Support children or grandchildren with tax-advantaged education funding strategies that help preserve family resources while preparing for college and future learning opportunities.

Advisor reviewing legacy planning documents with a family

Our Integrated Legacy Planning Process

Clarify Goals And Values

We begin by understanding your family, business interests, retirement goals, charitable intentions, and the values you want your wealth to support. This conversation shapes the planning priorities before recommendations are made.

Review Your Financial Picture

Build An Integrated Strategy

Coordinate Professional Guidance

Monitor And Refine Over Time

Values-Led Guidance

Why Choose Barking Sands Capital?

Barking Sands Capital brings transparent, coordinated guidance to important family and wealth decisions.

Independent

Fee-based advice prioritizes client goals over product sales or commission-driven recommendations.

Integrated

InteProcess™ coordinates legal, insurance, tax, retirement, and financial planning into one roadmap.

Credentialed

CFP® and ChFC credentials support disciplined guidance for complex legacy decisions.

Relationship-Focused

Many client relationships span decades, reflecting personal attention and continuity.

Meet The Planning Team

Experienced advisors focused on values-based financial planning.

Portrait of JB L'Esperance, Principal and ChFC at Barking Sands Capital

JB L'Esperance

Principal, ChFC

JB L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), holding the prestigious Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. With a career that began right out of college in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, JB has built deep expertise in investment management, retirement analysis, estate planning, and small business planning. Licensed in life and health insurance in both Michigan and Minnesota, he has maintained lasting relationships with many of his earliest clients — a testament to his commitment to delivering excellent service and real value. The oldest of six siblings, JB developed strong teamwork and family values early, qualities that define his client-first advisory approach. He and his wife Kelly reside in Independence, Minnesota, where they continue growing their Midwest financial planning practice.

Portrait of Kelly L'Esperance, Principal at Barking Sands Capital

Kelly L'Esperance

Principal

Kelly C. L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), bringing a strong background in investment services, fixed income investing, retirement and education planning, and investment portfolio management. With five years of experience at one of the nation's largest commercial banks, Kelly joined her husband and business partner JB to build an independent, fee-based advisory firm grounded in putting clients' needs above all else. Growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where her family ran small resort businesses, Kelly developed an entrepreneurial spirit and deep appreciation for personalized service. Kelly resides in Independence, Minnesota, with JB and their two children.

Portrait of Curtis Hewitt, Advisor at Barking Sands Capital

Curtis Hewitt

Advisor

Curtis Hewitt is an Advisor with Barking Sands Capital, specializing in Medicare Planning and Long Term Care. Based in Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Curtis brings a dynamic entrepreneurial career to his advisory role, having successfully started, managed, and sold multiple businesses throughout his professional life. He is also co-founder of MSIS Agency. Curtis holds a degree in Architectural Design from Lansing Community College and a Business Management degree from Colorado Technical University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He holds Life and Health insurance licenses along with Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. A dedicated community servant, Curtis has served as president of a local Women's Shelter, school board member, and co-founder of a youth mountain biking program. He resides in Marquette with his wife and four children.

Portrait of Tara Handy, Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital

Tara Handy

Client Relationship Manager

Tara Handy is the Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in client service, account management, and operational support, ensuring that both advisors and clients receive responsive, accurate, and professional assistance. Tara holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities registrations, Life and Health Insurance licenses, and is a commissioned Notary Public. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. Known for building strong, lasting relationships, Tara is dedicated to making every client interaction seamless and reliable. She resides in western North Carolina with her husband and three children, and values hard work, strong relationships, and serving others in every aspect of her life.

Portrait of Andrea Cervena, CFP® at Barking Sands Capital

Andrea Cervena

CFP®

Andrea Cervena is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with Barking Sands Capital, bringing over 20 years of financial industry experience spanning three continents and multiple sectors including banking, real estate, hospitality, and sports. She holds a BA in International Business and Business Administration from Minot State University and an MA in International Relations from the International University of Japan. Since 2020, Andrea has focused exclusively on personal finance, earning her CFP® designation and assisting clients with Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Education Funding, and Budgeting. Her service-oriented approach and global perspective allow her to craft creative, tailored financial solutions. Outside of work, Andrea is an active volleyball official, cycling community ambassador, and Masters Ski Racing board member.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between legacy planning and estate planning?

Estate planning typically focuses on legal documents and asset transfer tools such as wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney. Legacy planning goes further by connecting those tools to your values, family priorities, charitable intentions, tax strategy, retirement income, business succession, and long-term care considerations. Barking Sands Capital helps coordinate these financial pieces with legal and tax professionals.

How much should an estate planner cost?

Who should consider legacy planning?

What does a legacy plan typically include?

Do I still need an attorney for legacy planning?

How can legacy planning help reduce taxes?

How often should I update my legacy plan?

Why choose Barking Sands Capital for legacy planning?

Still Have Legacy Planning Questions?

Connect with our team for thoughtful, personalized planning guidance.

Certified & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

Certified Financial Planner certification logo

Certified Financial Planner

Recognized standard for comprehensive financial planning.

Chartered Financial Consultant certification logo

Chartered Financial Consultant

Advanced credential in financial consulting strategies.

Independent RIA trust indicator

Independent RIA

Independent advisory structure focused on transparency.

Start Planning Your Lasting Legacy

Share your goals, concerns, and family priorities. Our team will help you understand the next practical steps for building a coordinated legacy plan.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 952-500-8854. You can also send us a quick email at jb@barkingsandscapital.com.