Frequently Asked Questions

No, we offer complimentary initial consultations. This gives us an opportunity to understand your situation, discuss your goals, and determine if we're a good fit to work together. There's no obligation and no pressure - just an honest conversation about your financial future and how we might be able to help.

As a fee-based fiduciary, we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times. This means:

• Complete transparency: All fees are clearly disclosed upfront with no hidden costs or surprise charges
• Ongoing accountability: Our success is directly tied to your success—we grow when your wealth grows

We believe in proactive, regular communication. Our typical engagement includes:

• Annual Planning meetings: Comprehensive financial plan updates and tax planning
• Quarterly review call to monitor progress towards goals
• Ad-hoc consultations: Available for major decisions, life changes, or market events
• Proactive outreach: We contact you when opportunities arise or action is needed

You'll have a lead advisor who is your primary point of contact and knows your situation intimately. However, you benefit from our entire team's expertise - tax specialists, investment analysts, and operations professionals all work behind the scenes on your behalf. This team approach ensures you get specialized expertise across all areas while maintaining the personal relationship with your lead advisor.

For comprehensive wealth management, we generally recommend consolidating your investment accounts with us so we can implement a coordinated strategy and provide optimal tax management.

However, you'll retain accounts that must stay with your employer (401k, deferred compensation, company stock plans). We provide guidance on managing these accounts within your overall strategy.

Your assets are held in custody at a major financial institution such as Schwab or Fidelity, not with our firm directly. We have trading authority to manage investments, but we cannot withdraw funds. Your accounts remain in your name, and you receive statements directly from the custodian. This structure provides security and transparency.

That's completely fine. Many clients come to us in the early planning stages - years before a business exit or while still accumulating equity compensation. We can engage in planning-only mode to help you make informed decisions, then expand to full wealth management when you're ready. 

You can terminate our relationship at any time with no penalties or hidden fees. While we work hard to build long-term relationships, we understand that circumstances change. If you decide to move on, we'll help facilitate the transition smoothly and ensure all your accounts and documents are properly transferred. Our goal is to earn your business every day, not lock you in with contracts.

We use secure client portals where you can view all accounts in one place, access performance reports, review your financial plan, and exchange documents securely. We also use video conferencing for virtual meetings, secure email, and can integrate with your existing financial accounts to provide a complete picture of your wealth even for accounts held elsewhere.

Our team participates in ongoing professional education, holds advanced certifications (CFP®, CFA, EA), attends industry conferences, and maintains relationships with specialists in tax, estate, and investment law. When major tax law changes occur (like the SECURE Act or TCJA), we proactively reach out to clients to explain impacts and adjust strategies accordingly. You benefit from our institutional knowledge without having to track complex changes yourself.