Frequently asked questions and our carefully considered answers

We work with many different families and they all have different needs and objectives. They range from young families looking to save for retirement and college; to successful savers who are entering the last five to 10 years of their working lives and want to make sure they are on track to retire; to business owners, who need help prioritizing their businesses as well as their personal financial lives.

This is the most popular question we get – and the most accurate answer is: It depends. You and your family’s situation are different than your neighbors, your friends or your co-workers. Each situation is unique, and you have goals and priorities that are specific to you. That is why we engage with you to learn about your goals, what you have saved and continue to save, and so we can ascertain what your plan needs to look like and how we can get you there.

We understand that every situation is different, and in order to meet the needs of a diverse group of clients, we give you and your family a few different options. While a majority of our clients choose to pay a percentage of assets under management, we also have an hourly fee schedule or commission fee schedule if those work best for you. In all cases, your options will be clearly defined to help you choose what fits you best.

Not all financial planners are “certified.” There is a difference. Certified Financial Planner^™ practitioners complete a rigorous and comprehensive program, which covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. Certified Financial Planner^™ practitioners adhere to the CFP Board’s code of ethics for integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence.

As a CFP^®, Ryan will help define your objectives and customize a plan designed to help you best achieve these goals. His guidance goes well beyond just asset allocation advice, to all aspects of your financial life, including estate planning, tax strategies, insurance planning and much more.

No, we have clients in a number of different states across the country and throughout California. While it is nice to meet in person, many times even our closest families are too busy for an appointment, so a majority of our discussions occur via phone and email.

We love to work with clients who value the advice and services we bring to the table. Typically, our clients are people who like to delegate the day-to-day administration of their investments to a trusted advisor, simplifying their life so they can spend their time in their career, with their family, traveling, etc.

Our clients understand they have complex goals and appreciate knowing they have a valued advisor on their side looking out for their family and their long-term goals, guiding them through the ups and downs of everyday life and the challenging financial decisions that come with it.

As with any business or personal relationship, sometimes there just isn’t a good fit. Not everyone is looking for a trusted financial advisor that can provide them and their families with the Financial Life management experience. If you aren’t looking for a diversified portfolio, don’t want to take the time to go through the financial planning process, or aren’t open to hearing other ideas or options, we probably aren’t a good fit.

We believe it is important to customize your portfolio and manage your assets in a way that is best for you and your goals and needs. Whether you are looking to preserve your wealth, grow your wealth or take income, we adhere to these fundamental beliefs.

• Diversification is important and key to every portfolio
• Cost is important, and we believe in utilizing low-expense mutual funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and index funds when they are appropriate to the goals of the family
• Rebalancing and risk management are crucial at helping reduce the risk the portfolio is taking.

Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. The process of rebalancing your portfolio may result in tax consequences.

Yes, you can. Sometimes, if someone is just starting to invest and just wants broad exposure to the market, they can buy a low-cost index fund to get started. However, most of our clients have complex needs, and the value we provide goes well beyond just the simple asset allocation of indexes.

We have been working with families for over two decades and currently serve almost 100 families. Ryan is a CFP^® (Certified Financial Planner^™) practitioner and believes in the fundamental concepts of financial planning and its importance in the lives of the families he works with.

More importantly, a majority of the families that have been working with Ryan have been doing so for over 10 years. They have found that having a trusted advisor who knows who they are and cares about them and their families is one of the most important aspects of what we do.

There is no charge. The first meeting or call is simply a way for us to get to know each other. It is important for us to have a good understanding of your situation and what you are looking for, and it’s important for you to get an idea of who we are and what we do for the families we work with. The first meeting is simply to see if we would be a good fit. If there is a mutual interest in moving forward, we will discuss the next steps and what those entail.

In order to get a good understanding of all your financial needs, it’s important to bring your financial statements (investments, retirement plans, insurance policies, tax returns, bank statements, trust documents and anything else that may be applicable to your financial life). It is also important to think about what you are looking to accomplish.

Sometimes our clients have significant assets that they need help with, and sometimes they are young professionals who have increasing incomes and looking for the best ways to save and grow their wealth. We believe there is no magic number that separates one from the other.

The first thing we look for is a good fit. Once we evaluate your individual circumstances, we can determine the best way to proceed. If there is not a good fit, we will refer you to someone who is to help make sure you are taken care of.