We believe investment management works best when it is guided by a clear financial plan.

A plan helps us understand how your investments should support retirement income, tax efficiency, and long-term goals, rather than relying only on a general risk tolerance questionnaire or a retirement age estimate.

For many clients, we begin with a financial planning engagement so investment decisions are intentional and aligned with the bigger picture. Some clients start with planning, others begin with implementation and move into planning over time. Our long-term clients operate from a plan, but the starting point can be flexible.

No. There is no requirement to move investments immediately.

Many clients prefer to start with a financial planning engagement to gain clarity before making any changes. After completing a plan, it’s common for clients to ask for help implementing the recommendations, which may include managing investments as part of an ongoing relationship.

That said, moving assets is never required. Our role is to help you understand your options and support implementation if and when it makes sense for you.

Many advisors focus primarily on managing investments and reviewing performance.

Our approach starts with planning. We look at how your investments support retirement income, tax efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Investment decisions are made in context, not in isolation.

Clients often come to us because they want guidance around taxes, income planning, and coordination, not just a performance report.

We work best with retirees and people within about five to ten years of retirement who want professional guidance and are open to advice.

Our clients typically want to delegate the day-to-day management of their finances while still being involved and informed throughout the planning process. They value thoughtful conversations, clear explanations, and a long-term relationship built on trust.

A Financial Planning Conversation is a 60-minute meeting designed to help both sides determine whether working together makes sense.

We’ll talk through your situation, concerns, and what prompted you to reach out. By the end of the meeting, you should have a clear understanding of how we help, and we’ll know whether our team is well-suited to your needs.

This meeting is most productive when both partners or spouses are present, since financial decisions impact the entire household. While there is no obligation to move forward, the goal is mutual clarity about next steps.

Most meetings are held virtually for convenience. In-person meetings may be available for local clients when appropriate.

Our fees are transparent and discussed upfront.

Depending on your situation, we may provide financial planning, ongoing advisory services, or a combination of both. When appropriate, we also have access to investment and insurance solutions so recommendations are not limited by platform or product availability.

We do not push products. Any solution we recommend is based on whether it fits your plan and your goals, not on sales quotas or incentives.

That’s completely normal.

Many people know they should address these questions but are unsure about timing. Our role is to help you gain clarity, not to pressure you into decisions.

We also understand that we are not the right fit for everyone, and that’s okay. If it makes sense to move forward, we’ll say so. If not, we’ll be honest about that as well.

Stephen works closely with a CFP® professional on his team, and every comprehensive financial plan is created and reviewed by a CFP®.

This ensures that planning recommendations meet a high professional standard while allowing Stephen to focus on the ongoing relationship, guidance, and coordination clients value most.