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Ask the Ethicist: What should advisers do when married clients have conflicting objectives?

Getting stuck between clients with different goals is confusing and potentially dangerous.

Q: My clients are both in their mid-40s and are doing well financially. The family income is in the low six figures and they have healthy 401(k) balances. They have a set of twins who will graduate from high school this month. One child plans to work for a year before attending a community college.

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