If you’re looking for a financial advisor, you might be asking yourself:
- What is a comprehensive financial plan exactly, and why might I need one now?
A personal, comprehensive financial plan is a road map for clients to follow to achieve their financial goals. It is the result of a holistic planning process in which we work with clients to develop comprehensive strategies and action plans for every aspect of a client’s financial life including:
– Cash flow management
– Investment (including retirement plan assets)
– Retirement planning
– Tax planning
– Risk management (including insurance)
– Education planning and funding
– Estate planning
– Other needs specific to you or your loved ones
No matter what life stage you are in, the planning process of developing your comprehensive financial plan can reveal existing or potential financial problems that may impede you from achieving your goals and objectives.
- Are you affiliated with any national, brand name financial companies?
It is our intention to not be part of or affiliated with any broker/dealers. This independence not only gives us even broader access to thousands of no-load and low-load investment and insurance products to fully meet our clients’ comprehensive financial needs, but also enables us to serve our clients’ best interests as we are NOT compensated by commissions from the financial products we recommend to our clients.
We are not limited to company-sponsored product offerings and sales-driven quotas.
- My employer provides a 401(K) advisor. What can you do that he/she can’t?
Retirement plan like your 401(k) is just one piece of your financial planning “puzzle.” Not only do we advise you on your 401(k) assets, we tie it up with other parts of your financial planning, i.e. your non-retirement investments, cash flow management, life-time income solutions, education funding, etc., which your 401(k) advisor may not provide.
Instead of being randomly assigned an advisor who may only be giving you advice over phone and/or email, you will know us before we even start working with you, and you will have a dedicated advisor whom you can meet face-to-face or via phone and email, however you choose.
And in terms of product and service selections we are not limited to only company-specific choices.
- How specifically does the whole process work?
The following is a brief description of the firm’s general financial planning processes:
Initial Meeting: Before starting financial planning services we will set up in-person meeting or virtual meeting to get to know you and for you to know us. During the meeting we will answer your questions, identify the services that will be provided and specific responsibilities of both the advisor and the client. We will explain to you our planning process, and mutually define the term, scope and time frame of the engagement.
Data Gathering: The first step toward crafting a plan or designing solutions for our clients is to get the whole picture of their financial life. During this process, we will request from clients the financial documents necessary for us to do our jobs. We may also schedule data gathering meeting or calls, or send out questionnaires for clients to fill out. Together, client and the advisor will define client’s goals and needs, pinpoint client’s concerns if any.
Data Analysis: After data-collecting, We will analyze client’s financial position and current course of actions. If current course of actions do not meet client’s goals, alternative strategies/solutions will be considered. During this process, we may need more client data or even amend parts of the project with the client’s consent. If needed, an investment portfolio will be formulated. If necessary we may work with other professionals on client’s project or the firm will refer client to those professionals with client’s permission.
Presenting the plan/solution(s): The advisor and client meet and the advisor presents the financial plan or solutions to the client. If needed the advisor will revise and/or update the plan after the presentation.
Implementation and monitoring: Once client approves the plan, we can aid client in selecting products and services for plan implementation, and monitor client’s progress toward his/her goals on an ongoing basis.
- Can you describe how you help families with special needs member?
We believe, as human beings, with or without disabilities, we all want security, independence, dignity, and the ability to do what we want to. However, the ways to achieve these goals for a person with special needs will be different from those without.
In addition to our core comprehensive wealth plan to address the family’s goals holistically, our special needs plan addresses the goals and challenges of the special needs member. The plan is customized, depending on the type of disabilities and the life stage of the family member with special needs. The plan consists of four elements: life plan, resource plan, financial plan and legal plan.
During the planning process, if needed we may coordinate with and/or bring in other professionals in forming and implementing the special needs plan.
We will adjust and/or update the plan as the special needs person go through his/her life stages, and/or when there are significant changes in family life, etc.
- Are my information safe with you?
We understand the importance of the privacy and security of your personal, nonpublic information. We are committed to safeguarding the personal information that you entrusted with us.
We maintain a secure office and computer environment to ensure that your information is not placed at unreasonable risk.
All information about you and your family will be kept in strict confidence. Access to your information is strictly limited to firm personnel who need the information to provide you services.
All our third party technology providers implement strict safety protocols and have in place secure servers to keep all your personal information as secure as possible.
We do not provide your personal information to mailing list vendors or solicitors for any purpose.
For more information on this topic please click here.
- How much will this cost me?
The cost depends on the complexity of your personal finance. Our fees are transparent, and there are no hidden charges. We will give you a fee quote in your free, initial consultation with us.
Schedule your free initial consultation here.