FAQs

Working virtually together means making the most of our Internet connections. From the comfort of your living room or home office chair, we can examine, draft and refine your plan together. You can even drive the discussion by taking over the screen controls if you want. Using a screensharing service like Zoom means we can see each other, hear each other, and know we are literally both on the same (Internet) page for our discussions.

Although it’s not the same as meeting in person, our clients have found they don’t miss driving, parking, and sitting at a table or desk for their project meetings. We miss those days, too, but have found it’s far more efficient and enjoyable for everyone.

People who work best with us tend to have a sense that they probably have “enough,” but aren’t quite sure. As they approach a sense of financial freedom, pulling a plan together can feel like solving an eight-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.

Most consider themselves good savers. And yet the transition from being a good saver to actually living off of those savings feels a bit daunting. They might only want a second opinion look at their existing plan. Or, they might want a full plan from scratch that addresses all the moving parts at once.

Regardless, our clients want to stay in control of their money. They also only want occasional services. Committing to an ongoing subscription or fee-based relationship may feel like overkill. One analogy is that our clients would prefer a financial “navigator” to a financial “chauffeur.”

To help you make this decision, here are some questions you can ask yourself about what you are looking for in the financial planning process.

All CFP® certificants are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of conduct. This includes always acting in the best interest of clients and providing unbiased advice.

I have also signed a Fiduciary Oath, pledging to put clients’ interests first at all times.

Finally, as noted in the disclosure brochure (see “Disclosure Brochure” at the bottom of each page of this website), compensation in any form is not accepted from third parties. That includes commissions, mutual fund trailers, insurance trailers, and referral fees.

Actually we like to say nothing is required, but the more information we have, the more productive our work together will be.

We can be especially extra productive with big fat documents and lots of fine print. Think tax returns, insurance policies, annuity contracts, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, and employee benefits manuals, to name several.

We are fast readers and we LOVE fine print!!

If you’re interested in learning more, please review our suggested list of documents as well as get an overview of our financial planning process.

Services are on an as-needed basis, so there is no ongoing commitment requirement.

There is also no minimum or maximum asset requirement to work with us.

Learn more by getting an overview of our financial planning process.

Services are designed to address the most frequent questions asked by those we help best, such as:

How can I be confident I actually have enough to retire?

What are the best sources to replace my income, tax-wise?

How do I evaluate my investments? What amount of risk is right for my situation?

A new client establishment project usually begins with a core financial plan, called a “Road Map,” covering everything from retirement readiness to Roth conversions.

Once established, clients may engage as-needed: from brief consultations to full plan updates.

Some clients return every year. Others schedule a consult whenever life changes happen, such as pre-retirement, retirement, death in the family, a health issue, or birth of a child or grandchild. An ADV disclosure brochure with more details on the scope of services and fees for each project type can be found at the bottom of each page of this website.

Learn more about our financial planning process or contact us to have a conversation about your concerns. 

Services are provided on an hourly basis. There is no minimum asset level required to work with us.

For a more specific estimate, it’s recommended to schedule a 30-40 minute call. Based on the scope and complexity of agreed-upon work, an estimate will be provided up-front. Once work begins, progress reports are provided along the way.

New clients usually begin with a financial checkup, second opinion project, or a full retirement cash flow plan. Initial projects can range from 5 – 10 hours. The hourly rate for 2026 is $425.

Once established as a client, services can range from a brief consultation to a year-end tax planning project to a full plan update. If all you require is a 6 -minute email, then that is all you are charged for.

Tax planning projects generally run 3 – 5 hours. Plan updates generally range from 3 to 10 hours. Ask for an estimate in advance of scheduling.

If you’d like to discuss your situation further, contact us to select a convenient day and time for a 30-40 minute Zoom conversation (camera optional).

Clients who engage in a full retirement plan are given credentials to access their own plan and dashboard after the initial project completion.

For full financial plans we use MoneyGuide financial planning software, which does not hold any account-level personal information or tax returns.

We use encrypted upload links and encrypted email to communicate sensitive information.

We will never request nor accept account passwords or credentials.

We strive for our virtual experience to feel as welcoming as an office used to. Although we can’t offer coffee and tea anymore, we encourage having whatever you need to feel comfortable and secure in your own environment. We use Box for online document uploading and Zoom for meetings. With Zoom screen sharing we can both see documents and financial plans real-time without sharing credentials. If anyone needs a practice run with Zoom beforehand, we offer that, too.

Clients receive an online folder, document checklist and questionnaire which allows for easy secure uploading of documents. We use email encryption to share sensitive information. Clients who engage with financial planning software receive their own credentials to that software.