We are primarily compensated by fees based upon a percentage of assets under management. Occassionally, we may charge a flat fee or hourly fee. For those who don't meet our minimum requirements for assets under management, we can offer commission based investments. Most importantly, we think it's very important for you to understand how your financial advisor is compensated. We always welcome your questions about this so you can feel at ease.
What to Expect When You Become Part of Our Client Family
We make every effort to provide wise counsel that integrates your personal identity with your life goals and financial well-being. We understand that what really matters to you is often about much more than just “the numbers”.
We want to know about the significant influences and lessons in your life, your money role models, your hopes and dreams (and, yes, your fears and regrets), your story. In addition, we work to discover how you define success as well as what brings you meaning and fulfillment.
We honor you for your unique values, vision, priorities and history. We treat you the way you expect to be treated: with honesty, fairness, care and professionalism. We offer you the same respect we ask for ourselves. Our work together is made more meaningful because we have a relationship.
Our recommendations are based on the facts and representations that you make during this process. They address, but are not limited to, the following questions:
Cash Flow
- How can I get a handle on what I’m spending?
- Am I saving enough given what I make?
- What level of cash reserves should I maintain?
- Which retirement income sources should I tap first (and in what amounts)?
Liability Management
- How much debt and other leverage is appropriate for me?
- What is the optimal structuring of my mortgage and other financing?
- Should I try to accelerate paying off my mortgage and other debt?
Asset Protection
- How much and what type of life insurance should I have (if any)?
- Do I need long-term care insurance?
- Should I consider using trusts to protect some of my assets?
Retirement Planning
- When will I be able to retire and how much money will I need?
- How do I plan for my children’s educational expenses while saving for my retirement?
- What are my most likely retirement scenarios and how do they compare?
- How much income can I take from my portfolio and still sustain my long-term security?
- How can I be sure I won’t become a burden to my children, grandchildren and family?
- What would be the impact of working longer or working during retirement?
- What is the impact to my future of a career change that would lower household income?
Asset Allocation and Portfolio Design
- How much risk am I taking now and how much do I need to take?
- How likely is my current portfolio to help me achieve my long-term financial goals?
- What asset allocation is appropriate for me given my goals, situation and risk tolerance?
- What specific investments should I use to implement my chosen asset allocation?
- How do I incorporate my 401(k) or 403(b) plan into my overall portfolio design?
- How do I monitor and evaluate portfolio performance in various economic conditions?
Income Tax Planning and Management
- What should I be doing now to lower my taxes both this year and in the future?
- Should I be sheltering more (or less) income and deferring its taxation to later years?
- How can I lower my taxes through more effective use of my small business?
- How should I structure my portfolio to maximize my after-tax return?
- Which investments are best held in my after-tax (versus deferred or sheltered) accounts?
Estate Planning
- Are my beneficiary designations current, consistent and indicative of my priorities?
- Will my estate plan minimize costs and taxes as well as hassle and delay for my heirs?
- What type of will and/or trusts will best achieve my priorities?
- Should I consider establishing a revocable living trust?
- How do I treat my children fairly even though they have different needs and situations?
