Our Story and Services

At the Life and Legacy Group, we believe you are the client and not just your money.

Behind every portfolio is a story—your family’s story. Your money may represent lifetimes of hard work, difficult choices and sacrifices across generations. We understand what it took to earn and build these assets. This is why we treat you and your money with all the respect it deserves.

We want to know what—and who—matters most to you. What are your personal and financial concerns? What goals do you have for your future and for your loved ones? We listen to you so we can understand what makes you and your life’s journey unique. We’ll then join you on that journey, offering advice along the way.

While markets go up and down, we will focus on the combination of investments we believe can help you keep what you’ve already acquired while potentially providing the income and growth you need to support you in your life’s journey. We will always be here to answer your questions; listen to you; and explain exactly what we propose to do with your money, why we recommend it, and all the financial implications.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
We focus on you, not your account balance. We want to know what—and who—matters most to you. What are your personal and financial concerns? What goals do you have for your future and for your loved ones?
Behind every portfolio is a story—your family’s story. Your money may represent lifetimes of hard work, difficult choices and sacrifices across generations. We understand what it took to earn and build these assets. This is why we treat you and your money with all the respect it deserves.

In investing your wealth, our first priority will be to preserve it. While markets go up and down, we will focus on the combination of investments we believe can help you keep what you’ve already acquired while potentially providing the income and growth you need to support you in your life’s journey.

We will always be here to answer your questions; listen to you; and explain exactly what we propose to do with your money, why we recommend it, and all the financial implications.

You are the client, not your money.

We listen to you so we can understand what makes you and your life’s journey unique. We’ll then join you on that journey, offering advice along the way.

We love our work for the long-term relationships we create and the connection we feel with our clients, as well as the difference we can make in their lives.

VALUABLE TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources designed to help enhance almost every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies and resources we have to offer our clients.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money, to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with one click using eAuthorizations.
    Enroll Now
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    Total Wealth View
    The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.

    We've launched a new tool that allows you to link information from your accounts at other financial institutions directly to your Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile App profile.
    Total Wealth View
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) may enroll in eDelivery.
    eDelivery
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows for easy sharing and convenient access to life’s most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.
    Digital Vault
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    GIC Weekly Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance, and fixed income.
    Read the Latest Report
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    On The Markets Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy, and more.
    Read the Latest Report

Protecting Your Online Security

Your security is our top priority. Morgan Stanley proactively defends our systems and monitors our digital landscapes to anticipate issues before they arise and respond appropriately when they do.
Cybersecurity Best Practices
  • Safeguarding your personal information is one of our highest priorities. While we are all continuing to work from home we find ourselves utilizing technology more now than ever. We believe these 5 easy and important cybersecurity habits will help to protect you from cyber and fraud risk.
Security Features and Proactive Defense
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Alerts and Notifications
  • Automatic Session Time Out
  • VoiceID
  • Fraud Detection and Prevention
  • Digital Tools
  • Cybersecurity Fusion Centers
  • Threat Landscape Monitoring
  • Employee Training and Testing
Welcome to What's Trending, where all things related to lifestyle, finance, and bits of useful information can be found. Here at The Life and Legacy Group, we are looking to provide our clients with not only market and finance resources, but also with other helpful resources that can have an impact on you and your loved ones. Enjoy!
Megatrends: Driving the Adoption of Electric Vehicles
Investors can gear up for a long-term shift in automotive trends, as electric vehicles are expected to account for 90% of auto sales by 2050.
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Investing in 2023: A Year to Be Patient and Selective
U.S. equities may disappoint in 2023, but patient investors can find potential income and returns in other markets.
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Location

1901 Main Street
Ste 700
Irvine, CA 92614
US
Direct:
(949) 809-1355(949) 809-1355
Toll-Free:
(800) 533-3402(800) 533-3402

Meet The Life and Legacy Group

About Claes Molander

Claes Molander is a First Vice President, Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley who focuses on helping his senior clients develop personalized wealth plans for a dignified retirement.

Through trust and mutual respect, he strives to learn as much as he can about each of his clients, so that he can help them live their lives to the fullest while leaving their desired legacy.  His straightforward approach to wealth management focuses on comprehensive investments and diversification strategies, with an emphasis on regular income and managing market volatility.

Recognizing that every aspect of seniors’ lives touches their finances in some way, Claes also frequently assists his clients with other important needs, such as wealth transfer planning, reviewing long-term care insurance coverage and providing other services unique to older individuals.

Claes has worked at Morgan Stanley since joining the financial services industry in 1999, and he has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, demonstrating his commitment to addressing the comprehensive range of his clients’ financial needs and goals.

Claes received a B.A. in business with a focus on investment analysis from the California State University, Fullerton.  A native of Sweden, he maintains a global investment perspective, giving him a comprehensive view of world markets. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Securities Agent: IL, CO, UT, PA, AR, SD, NC, MD, FL, AL, TN, NV, LA, MT, KY, KS, ID, MS, WI, DC, RI, CA, VA, SC, NM, AZ, TX, OH, NY, MA, HI, GA, CT, OK, NJ, WA, OR, DE, MO, MI, IN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1253025
CA Insurance License #: 0C70894

About Angel Nguyen

Angel has been in the financial services industry since 1999 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2012. Previously, she worked as a supervisor at the Texas Credit Union Service Center and a relationship manager at Fidelity Investments. She strives to make knowledgeable investment decisions tailored to her clients’ unique financial objectives and situations.

Angel graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in business administration and a focus on finance. During her free time, she enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, as well as spending quality time at home with her family and friends.
Wealth Management
From Our Team

Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty


Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Life and Legacy Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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3Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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8When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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9The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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10Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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11Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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12Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)