Our Process

1. Are We a Fit Meeting:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet with you; we understand financial discussions can be deeply personal, but are incredibly important to your well-being. Our process is based on the standards set forth by the CFP® board, but tailored in a way that is in alignment with our mission, vision, and values. In this discussion we get to know you, your personal goals and vision, your family situation, and your main financial concerns. During this face-to-face dialogue we may make some preliminary suggestions, but the meeting is primarily one where we get to know each other and determine whether or not we can help. At this time, we also explain the process, the time frame, what your responsibilities are as a client, and how we are paid for our work with you and your family.

2. Data Clarification Meeting:

Once you have agreed to move forward with a Financial Plan, we will send you a planning agreement, questionnaire, an invoice for 50% of the quoted fee, and a link to begin setting up your personal client portal online. Many times, the advisor will come to your home to assist you with this step. Our financial plans are individually written and we expect them to provide recommendations that will help you achieve your life’s dreams, while taking into consideration your unique financial position, personal desires, goals, and family situation. In order to create such a plan, we ask you to provide us with as much data as possible. We believe that the quality of the plan we create for you will be directly related to how much we know about your financial status. In turn, we believe that the higher the quality of the plan, the more likely you will be to follow our recommendations and ultimately achieve your goals.

3. Analyze and Evaluate your Financial Status:

Creating a financial plan that can be used to evaluate your progress and keep you on track requires quite a bit of “number crunching” that is done behind the scenes. We may run different scenarios in order to determine your best alternatives out of several courses of action. Ever-changing tax laws and a dynamic economy are just two of the variables that need to be considered when making recommendations. During this stage, you can expect to receive calls or e-mails from our team in an attempt to fill in any gaps we may find.

4. Test Solution Meeting:

In this meeting, your plan is first presented as a “Test Solution” or rough draft, where we discuss various options, and explain what we believe to be your best alternatives. At this time, we also try to further define your personal preferences and clarify any numbers that don’t seem to add up. We may even unearth some old family issues that didn’t come to light in our earlier meetings or in the data gathering process. This session is hands on; more of a workshop where we explore and eliminate alternatives, in order to narrow and refine those options that will make up the final financial plan. After the Test Solution has been reviewed and you understand and concur with the direction we advise, we expect to have your approval for the actions that can be finalized at our next meeting.

5. Plan Delivery and Implementation Meeting:

This meeting is held to deliver our Financial Plan and begin implementation of the action plan. Two key sections within your Financial Plan will be the Summary and the Action Plan. These sections detail all of our recommendations and the rationales behind them. The Action Plan serves as our “Marching Orders”. It lists exactly what steps to take, who is responsible, and what the deadlines are in order to put your financial plan into action! Since the final plan is based on the in- depth discussions, we had during the Test Solution meeting, the intent here is to review the Summary and Action Plan, then begin your implementation. This cuts down on additional meetings, saving you time and giving you an immediate sense of progress toward your goals and dreams.

6. Ongoing Monitoring and Plan Updates:

A successful relationship with a financial planner will involve a lot of time and meetings at the beginning. This is critical because we need to get to know you and set the table for what we expect to be a lifelong partnership. Naturally, there will be many changes throughout your lifetime which will necessitate revisions and updates to your plan. We will monitor your progress and make suggestions to keep you “on track” toward your goals and objectives. At any time, you may be faced with a financial decision that needs to be modeled in the software so you can plan ahead. Our monitoring systems include, review meetings, ongoing support, education and encouragement. We count on you to keep us updated on any changes in your life that may affect your plan.