Because Retirement Should Feel Secure

Wealth Management Process & Fees

Root

Conversation

Stem

Comprehensive Plan

Bud

Implementation

Bloom

Ongoing Partnership

This work is personal

Why We’re Fee-Only

Integrity and transparency matter deeply to us. When people trust us with something as personal as their finances, they should never have to wonder whose interests are being served.

As a fiduciary and fee-only advisor, we can solely focus on giving you the best retirement possible.

A Simple Comparison

Fee Only

We’re paid directly by our clients, so recommendations are based solely on what is best for you.

You always know what you’re paying without hidden costs.

Because we don’t sell financial products, our role is simply to provide thoughtful guidance and ongoing planning.

Fee-Based

Advisors may receive commissions for recommending certain financial products.

Some investments include built-in fees or commissions that aren’t always known.

Advisors may be compensated differently depending on the products they recommend.

Wealth Management Fees

Most families we work with have built meaningful savings over many years and want help using it well in retirement. We focus on households with at least $1 million invested. The outline below explains how our fees work, so everything is clear from the beginning.

Assets Under Management

Annual Advisory Fee

$0 – $1,000,000

0.98%

$1,000,001 – $3,000,000

0.93%

$3,000,001 – $5,000,000

0.83%

$5,000,001 – $10,000,000

0.68%

$10,000,001 +

0.48%

*Fees are tiered and blended; each band of assets is charged at its own rate.

The Wealth Planning Process

How It Works

Schedule an Initial Planning Call. We’ll spend time getting to know you. We want to understand why you reached out and any financial questions or worries you have. We’ll also share a bit about our background and how we work with clients.

If we’re a good fit, the next step is scheduling a deeper meeting to explore your planning needs in more detail.

Every client relationship begins with building The Thistle Plan. We look at everything. Investments. Your taxes. Your spending. Old 401(k)s from past jobs. Insurance policies you may not have looked at in years. When you’ll actually retire and what life might cost once the paychecks stop.

Retirement wealth planning will show you how your money can help you live the life you want (and help you avoid the kinds of mistakes that become difficult to fix once retirement begins).

Small changes today = big benefits in the future.

Once the plan is built, we begin putting it into motion. We organize accounts and adjust how your money is invested. We also plan smarter withdrawals for retirement and make sure the other professionals in your life are working from the same plan.

After the plan is implemented, if you’re a good fit, our work together can continue through wealth management. We meet regularly to review how things are going, talk through new decisions, and adjust the plan as life changes (e.g., retirement timing, tax changes, investment shifts, or something happening in your personal life).

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Are We a Good Fit?

You might feel right at home here if you’re:

Within 5–8 years of retirement or already retired
Managing investments across multiple accounts and general retirement accounts
Starting to think seriously about taxes in retirement
Wondering how your savings will become a reliable income
Looking for a long-term financial partner who knows your family, not just your numbers

Have wealth management questions?

FAQs

What happens during the first meeting with a financial advisor?

The first meeting lasts 45 to 60 minutes. We’ll review some short exercises you did beforehand and address any life changes or concerns that should be part of your plan. From there, we’ll talk through your priorities and the questions you’d like help answering. We’ll show you the planning process. Then, we’ll review the document checklist for the next step and share an example of the financial plan we create.

How long does financial planning take?

Financial planning will likely take 4-8 weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule meetings and get us the necessary information.

How often is a financial plan updated?

Updating your financial plan is included in the wealth management process steps. We revisit it regularly throughout the year. That includes an annual planning review, tax planning conversations, and check-ins whenever something important changes (like retirement timing, markets, taxes, or a life transition). The goal is to keep your plan aligned with life as it progresses, not just the version of life we originally planned for.

What information do families need for financial planning?

If we move forward, we’ll ask for things like:

Investment and retirement account statements
Your most recent tax return
Bank account balances and to sign up with the Monarch App
Insurance policies
Estate documents such as wills or trusts
Social Security information and expected retirement timing

Do you work with clients at every wealth level?

We typically work with clients with a net worth between $1 million to around $15–20 million. Above that range, you begin to exceed the federal estate tax exemption limit. At this point, estate planning becomes complex enough that it requires a different kind of specialist. We’ll refer you to the right person for that level of planning.

How are investment strategies adjusted over time?

Our goal is to control risk, not just generate returns. Transaction and tax costs need to be considered. So we will rebalance quarterly and have discipline to buy low, sell high.