Estate Coordination
Coordinate estate, retirement, insurance, investment, and tax considerations through one planning framework designed to reduce gaps and align decisions with your family’s long-term goals.
Estate and trust tax decisions can affect generations of family wealth. Barking Sands Capital helps clients coordinate tax planning with retirement, insurance, investment management, and professional legal guidance through a transparent, fee-based approach. Whether you are preparing for asset transfer, evaluating Roth conversion timing, or aligning beneficiary strategies, our advisors help bring clarity to complex planning conversations.
Integrated estate, tax, retirement, insurance, and investment strategies designed around your goals and family priorities.
Coordinate estate, retirement, insurance, investment, and tax considerations through one planning framework designed to reduce gaps and align decisions with your family’s long-term goals.
Identify tax-sensitive planning opportunities, including AMT considerations, retirement coordination, and strategies for business owners, while aligning recommendations with your full financial picture.
Evaluate Roth IRA conversion timing to help manage lifetime tax exposure, improve retirement flexibility, and support more efficient wealth transfer strategies for beneficiaries.
Plan retirement distributions, rollovers, and income strategies with estate goals in mind, helping assets support both your lifestyle and future legacy objectives.
Incorporate life, health, and long-term care considerations into your estate plan to help protect assets, manage risk, and support family continuity.
Align investment portfolios with risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and wealth transfer goals using active management and independent custodial platforms.
Estate and trust tax planning works best when every financial decision is connected. Barking Sands Capital brings together tax planning, retirement analysis, investment management, protection planning, and professional coordination through its proprietary InteProcess™. The result is a more organized strategy for transferring wealth, managing risk, and helping your values guide important financial decisions across generations.
Barking Sands Capital helps simplify complex planning with transparent, coordinated guidance.
Fee-based RIA guidance focused on client objectives, not product-driven recommendations or commissions.
InteProcess™ connects tax, legal, insurance, retirement, and financial planning into one coordinated strategy.
CFP® and ChFC credentials support sophisticated planning for estate, tax, and retirement decisions.
Long-standing Midwest relationships reflect a client-first approach built on service, values, and continuity.
Experienced advisors coordinating financial decisions with care.
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.
Estate and trust tax planning focuses on coordinating wealth transfer goals with tax-efficient financial decisions. This can include beneficiary planning, retirement account distribution strategy, Roth IRA conversion timing, investment positioning, insurance considerations, and coordination with estate attorneys or tax professionals. Barking Sands Capital integrates these areas so your broader financial plan supports the legacy you want to create.
Connect with our team for clear, coordinated planning guidance.
Advanced designation for comprehensive financial planning expertise.
Recognized standard for professional financial planning guidance.
Transparent advisory structure focused on client objectives.
Share your estate, trust, and tax planning priorities, and our team will help outline the next appropriate steps.
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.