Frequently Asked Questions
Section 1: Our Fees & Fiduciary Status (The Most Important Questions)
Q: Are you a fiduciary financial advisor in Huntsville, AL?
A: Yes, we are a fiduciary 100% of the time. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we are legally and ethically obligated to put your interests first in all situations.
Q: Are you a "fee-only" or "fee-based" advisor?
A: We are fee-only. This is a critical distinction. As a fee-only advisor, we are only paid by you, our client. We never receive commissions, kickbacks, or any payments for selling specific mutual funds or insurance products. This removes all conflicts of interest.
Q: How do you get paid? (What is your flat-fee structure?)
A: We are a fee-only flat-fee financial advisor, which is the most transparent model. We do not charge a percentage of your assets (AUM). Our clients have two options:
One-Time Financial Planning Workshop: A flat fee of $1,500.
Proactive Planning & Investment Management: An ongoing monthly subscription fee based on your net worth, starting at $300/month.
The Proactive Planning and Investing Fee Schedule is:
Net Worth:
<$499,999: $300/month
Between $500,000 and $999,999: $500/month
Between $1,000,000 and $1,999,999: $800/month
Between $2,000,000 and $4,999,999: $1,500/month
Greater than $5,000,000: $2,000/month
Section 2: Our Services & Client Focus
Q: What services do you offer as a wealth manager in Huntsville?
A: We offer comprehensive, fee-only financial advice and wealth management. This includes retirement planning (like Social Security and income strategies), investment management, tax planning, and estate planning. We integrate all of this with our core philosophy of Biblical stewardship.
Q: Do you help clients with specific tax or estate planning needs?
A: Yes. For our ongoing clients, we work collaboratively with tax and legal professionals. We help build your estate plan's starting point and can coordinate with your attorney. We also partner with McCarthy Tax for integrated tax preparation, which is included in our fee for clients with over $1 million in net worth.
Q: What is your investment philosophy?
A: We employ a disciplined, long-term approach focused on achieving your specific goals. We focus on four keys: 1) identifying your goals, 2) growing assets responsibly, 3) choosing the right asset mix, and 4) minimizing taxes and fees.
Q: Do you help with retirement planning or creating a retirement income plan?
A: Yes. This is a core part of our service. We start by helping you define what retirement or "financial freedom" looks like, and then we build and execute a detailed plan to get you there.
Q: Can you help me with charitable or philanthropic giving?
A: Yes. We help you formalize your giving strategy and use the most effective vehicles, such as a donor-advised fund or a private foundation, to align with your stewardship goals.
Section 3: Who We Serve
Q: Do I have to have a certain amount of money to work with you?
A: No, and we never will. We do not have an asset or net-worth minimum. We believe every family's journey to generational wealth starts somewhere. Our one-time financial planning workshops are often a great starting point.
Q: Do you work with tech professionals or engineers in Huntsville?
A: Yes. We have experience helping a range of professionals, including engineers and tech employees in Cummings Research Park, Redstone Arsenal and the surrounding areas. We can help you build a plan that integrates complex compensation like RSUs or stock options.
Q: Do you work with government contractors or Redstone Arsenal employees?
A: Yes. We work with individuals, families, and business owners from all backgrounds, including government contractors. We can help you build a plan to navigate variable income or complex federal benefits.
Q: Will you help me with financial planning even if I want to manage my own investments?
A: Absolutely. Our one-time Financial Planning Workshop is a perfect solution for this. We will collaborate with you to build a comprehensive plan, and you can choose to implement the recommendations yourself.
Section 4: The Logistics of Working Together
Q: What is the first step to get started?
A: The first step is a simple, no-obligation conversation. You can schedule this by calling us or using the "Start a Conversation" page on our website. We'll get to know you and your goals and help you decide if we're a good fit.
Q: What is your client experience like?
A: Our process is collaborative and proactive. It starts with a conversation, followed by a Financial Planning Workshop to build your unique plan. From there, we work with you throughout the year—not just at review meetings. We proactively manage tax planning in the winter, update your plan in the spring, and review estate plans and insurance in the fall.
Q: Who actually holds my money?
A: Your assets are held at Charles Schwab, which acts as our third-party custodian. We open accounts in your name at Schwab, and you have 24/7 digital access to them. We simply have your permission to manage the accounts on your behalf.
Q: What if I already have a financial advisor?
A: It never hurts to get a second opinion. We are happy to review your current financial situation. If you have a great plan and advisor, we'll congratulate you. If we see opportunities for improvement, we will share them, and you can decide what's best for you.