Financial planning looks at a person's overall financial picture. Our approach is to have an in-depth, exploratory conversation with a prospective client in order to understand his or her financial needs and goals.

The result of that conversation is a detailed, short-term action plan designed to improve your overall financial situation. If discovered, we will also suggest remedies to any significant financial risks, such as a lack of appropriate insurance, high risk investment strategies, or insufficient sources of liquidity. These initial recommendations will be followed by a longer-term plan, including suggestions about ways to save, plan for taxes, and invest. The planning we do will also look at ways to reduce current and future tax liabilities and protect assets with the proper life, health, disability and long-term care insurance coverages.

Finally, we may offer suggestions on estate planning and other strategies intended to strengthen your financial health and that of your family.

Many of our clients come to us on a referral basis. They typically enjoy healthy household incomes and have investment portfolios of $500,000 or more. However, we welcome and enjoy working with clients who do not yet meet these thresholds but are on the path to reach them in the near future.

As a prospective client, you are encouraged to come in for a complementary exploratory consultation. We discuss your financial situation, your needs and goals, as well as our firm’s ability to help you. Most client engagements begin with a financial plan that addresses the multiple aspects of a family’s personal finances. The planning process begins at these initial meetings. It is the start of the creation of an adaptable blueprint for your financial future.

Time horizon refers to the amount of time a person has to save for a particular event. For example, the time horizon for a college savings account might be 10 years for the parents of an eight-year old child, but 15 years for the parents of a three-year old.

Likewise, the time horizon for a 30-year old saving for retirement might be 35 years, whereas it might be 15 years for a 60-year old who started saving late in life.

Our process begins with a “get acquainted” meeting. We will review information you provide regarding your financial situation (tax returns, insurance policies, asset statements, estate planning documents, employee benefits, etc.). We want to know about your personal goals, values, concerns, dreams, and past experiences.

The financial planning process entails discovering where you are now and where you want to go. We work together to establish and prioritize objectives. We’ll review the problems and opportunities facing you, examine alternatives and make recommendations and action steps. The last step is assisting you in implementing those recommendations.

Once your initial plan is complete, we regularly meet with you to review and update your plan, assess your progress, and consider other actions that may be helpful for you.

Of course. Financial planning is a very personal process, and it is essential that you find the right planner for your needs. The initial meeting is always a no-cost, private consultation (in person, if possible) – at absolutely no obligation to you. We’ll begin with a conversation to understand your current situation and objectives, and share with you our thoughts about how we might be able to help you to reach your goals.