Estate Plan Review
We review your estate planning picture alongside retirement, tax, insurance, and investment considerations, helping you prepare for coordinated conversations with attorneys and other professionals.
Estate decisions touch every part of your financial life. Barking Sands Capital helps review your existing plan, identify gaps, and coordinate legal, tax, insurance, retirement, and investment considerations through a transparent, fee-based process. Our advisors help you prepare for meaningful conversations with attorneys and other professionals so your wealth, wishes, and family priorities are aligned.

Coordinated planning support for estate reviews, legal conversations, tax strategy, and long-term wealth transfer goals.
We review your estate planning picture alongside retirement, tax, insurance, and investment considerations, helping you prepare for coordinated conversations with attorneys and other professionals.
Our InteProcess™ approach helps coordinate designated legal, tax, insurance, retirement, and financial professionals so your estate planning decisions support one cohesive strategy.
We evaluate how account structures, retirement distributions, Roth conversions, and beneficiary choices may affect future tax exposure for you and your heirs.
Retirement income, 401(k) rollovers, asset distribution strategies, and beneficiary designations are reviewed together to support a smoother transfer of wealth.
Protection planning helps assess whether life insurance, long-term care strategies, and risk management tools still fit your family and legacy objectives.
Active investment management and portfolio analysis help ensure assets are positioned with your risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and long-term legacy goals in mind.

We begin by learning about your family, values, assets, existing documents, business interests, and legacy priorities. This conversation helps define what your estate plan should accomplish financially, personally, and practically.
Barking Sands Capital helps clients make estate decisions with clarity, coordination, and transparency.
Independent RIA structure supports transparent guidance instead of commission-driven managed account recommendations.
InteProcess™ coordinates legal, tax, insurance, retirement, and financial planning into one aligned strategy.
CFP® and ChFC credentials bring depth to estate, retirement, tax, and investment conversations.
Clients receive sophisticated money management with the flexibility and attention of personal advisors.
Experienced advisors coordinating financial, tax, insurance, and estate planning.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
An estate planning review looks at how your legal documents, beneficiaries, account registrations, insurance, taxes, and retirement assets work together. Barking Sands Capital helps identify financial planning gaps and coordinates with legal professionals when documents need drafting or updates. The goal is to make sure your plan reflects your wishes and supports your family efficiently.
Talk with our team about your estate planning questions.
Recognized standard for comprehensive financial planning.
Advanced credential in financial and estate strategies.
Fee-based advisory structure focused on transparency.
Share a few details about your estate planning questions, and our team will help you understand the next practical step.
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.
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.