Fee-based investment management: Our team emphasizes proper asset allocation through careful analysis of your portfolio to ensure proper diversification without excess stock overlap. We do not sell proprietary products, but rather, as independent advisors, select mutual funds and outside money managers based on rigorous and objective analysis. Additionally, if appropriate, individual bonds are carefully selected and purchased in client accounts. Tax-efficient transitions can be structured to convert individual security positions into a well-managed portfolio.

Estate planning: We discuss "tough issues" such as how, when, and to whom you would like your assets distributed upon your death, while minimizing taxes and expenses. Goals may include gifting during lifetime, providing for a surviving spouse, and/or supporting the work of charitable causes. Estate planning strategies include will and trust planning, property titling, gifting techniques, irrevocable insurance trusts, charitable trusts, family limited partnerships, and other advanced techniques.

Wealth management: It is important to review your entire financial picture. Areas covered include education planning, retirement planning projections, asset allocation, and cash flow management. Special projects may include analysis and negotiations of mortgages and real estate, and debt consolidation.

Insurance planning: We study your current insurance coverage and access whether your policies are 1) serving their intended purposes, 2) still competitive in today's pricing environment, and 3) set up properly to maximize what your heirs receive and minimize what the government receives. Additionally, our team will explore, if appropriate, cutting-edge strategies to effectively utilize insurance as a tax-effective method to fund estate cost, transfer qualified money to heirs free of estate taxes, or to maximize gifting to minimize estate taxes.

Benefits planning: If you are a business owner, a salary increase may not be the best way to compensate key employees. There are other methods to reward people and "tie" key employees to the business. If you are an employee, making the right benefit choices can enhance your retirement and the financial security of your family. We provide assistance with all types of qualified plans (profit-sharing, 401(k), money purchase pension, SEPs), non-qualified plans (deferred compensation, stock options), and insurance planning (health, disability, life, and long-term care).