Comprehensive Financial Planning Services

Plan for your future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.
-Mark Twain

For those who desire professional attention across a broad spectrum of their finances. 

Comprehensive Planning provides you with a unique financial plan suited to your goals and needs and ongoing advice and assistance throughout the implementation process.  My clients enjoy the long-term relationship this creates, and find that the savings and benefits far outweigh the cost.  As a fee-only planner, I will make recommendations based solely on your best interest. 

Here’s what to expect: 

1. Initial Consultation
   
   Call my office to schedule a free consultation appointment. Complete the client questionnaire and return it to my office one week before your appointment.  When you come for your consultation, bring your  last two years’ tax returns and your latest brokerage and retirement account statements. 
   At the consultation appointment I will provide you with more in-depth information about the scope and benefits of a comprehensive financial plan.  We will discuss your specific concerns and map out an outline of potential strategies to meet your needs.  I will quote you the fee for the cost of the first year’s financial planning at the time of the appointment.
2. Planning Appointments
   
   Depending on the complexity of your financial situation, we will meet 6 – 10 times the first year to address the following topics.  At each meeting, you will receive a thorough assessment of your finances in the topic area, a plan for any adjustments needed, and written recommendations with target deadlines.
   • Goal Setting —  
     
     Goal setting serves as the foundation for the financial planning process, since the purpose for building wealth is to enable you to realize your goals.  To that end, I will work with you to identify your dreams and goals, then write down target dates and realistic strategies for their achievement.
   • Cash Flow/Budgeting —  
     
     Creating a sensible budget that reflects your goals can free up money for investing and will speed up your achievement of financial independence.  I will provide you with specific software which can simplify and aid in this process.
   • Net Worth and Investment Portfolio Analysis —  
     
     Do you really have a portfolio of investments or simply a collection of stocks and bonds in various places?  Do you know what your risk tolerance is?   Do you know the importance of real estate in the mix?  Using specialized software, we will chart your assets and map out a plan for growth.
   • Portfolio Implementation —  
     
     A great portfolio works for you through diversification and balance.  I will propose necessary changes to your investments to maximize both security and growth, while being mindful of tax implications.
   • Risk Management —  
     
     I will look at your present insurance coverage and assess potential risks in the following areas: life, auto, health, homeowners, umbrella, and disability insurance.  As a fee-only planner, I will make recommendations for changes or additional coverage based solely on your needs.
   • Estate Planning —  
     
     This is your opportunity to express your desires for dividing your assets and taking care of your loved ones after your death.  I will review your current documents and discuss potential options for changes before you meet with your attorney.
   • Tax Planning —  
     
     We will discuss proactive, lawful strategies to reduce your tax liability as much as possible.  I will also analyze past tax returns to find areas of additional tax savings and prepare amended returns, if necessary.
   • Retirement Planning —  
     
     Using specialized software, we will forecast anticipated retirement scenarios to make sure your savings and investments are adequately preparing you for retirement. Relatively small changes made in time will have a significant positive effect on your retirement lifestyle.
   • Business or Other Specialty Planning —  
     
     If you own, or are considering starting your own business, I will help you think through the tax and other financial issues central to its success.  If you have small children or grandchildren, we will consider the various education savings options and identify the one best suited to your needs and desires.  Any other areas of financial concern can be addressed, researched and planned.
3. Follow Up
   
   Written recommendations are provided at each meeting, but you are not alone in the implementation process.  Clients typically contact us whenever they have questions, concerns or changes in their financial situation.  Financial planning is a work in progress!
   You will be provided with a notebook containing helpful supplemental information and space for documents generated at our meetings, and with a home filing system to simplify storing and retrieving your important papers.
4. Renewal Years
   
   In renewal years, three or four client appointments are scheduled. These cover tax planning and preparation, investment review, and consideration of any changes in your circumstances which affect your finances.  Cost is approximately 50% to 60% of the initial year fee.