Frequently asked questions

Common questions, direct answers.

If you're researching financial advisors and trying to understand the differences, these are the questions we hear most often. Honest answers, no jargon.

What does "fee-only" actually mean?

Fee-only compensation removes commissions and product-sale incentives from the advice we give. It does not eliminate every possible conflict — no compensation model does — but it removes the ones created by third-party payments, and our fees are fully disclosed in our Form ADV.

What's the difference between a Registered Investment Advisor and a broker?

A Registered Investment Advisor owes a fiduciary duty to its clients under the Investment Advisers Act, and that duty applies across the whole advisory relationship. Broker-dealers are subject to Regulation Best Interest, adopted in 2020, which requires them to act in a retail customer's best interest when making a recommendation. The obligations differ in scope: Regulation Best Interest attaches at the point of a recommendation, while an adviser's fiduciary duty is ongoing. Compensation differs as well — brokers may receive transaction-based compensation, which we do not.

What does it mean that you're a fiduciary?

As a fiduciary, we are legally and ethically required to put our clients' interests ahead of our own — and ahead of our firm's. This obligation is enshrined in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and enforced by the Securities and Exchange Commission. It means transparent fees, no hidden conflicts, and recommendations driven by what's right for you, not what's profitable for us.

How are you compensated?

We charge a transparent advisory fee, typically calculated as a percentage of assets we manage on your behalf. There are no commissions, no product-sale incentives, no hidden charges, and no payments from third parties. Our compensation is fully disclosed to clients at the outset of every engagement and detailed in our Form ADV, which is publicly available with the SEC.

Do you have an account minimum?

We don't publish a hard minimum on our website. Whether a relationship makes sense depends on the complexity of your situation, the planning work involved, and the fit between our expertise and your goals. The best way to find out is a complimentary "Get Acquainted" call — we'll walk through what you're looking for and let you know honestly whether we're the right firm for the job.

Do you work with clients outside of Florida?

Yes. While our offices are in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Morristown, New Jersey, we serve clients nationwide. Most of our client meetings happen by video conference or phone, and modern custody and reporting infrastructure make geography largely irrelevant. We have clients across multiple states and time zones.

What is the CPWA® designation?

The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) is an advanced credential awarded by Investments & Wealth Institute, designed specifically for advisors who serve high-net-worth clients. The curriculum covers advanced tax strategy, estate planning, equity compensation, asset protection, charitable giving, and the behavioral dynamics of multi-generational wealth. It signals depth in the planning issues affluent families actually face.

Where are client assets held?

Client assets are held in custody at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC and Charles Schwab — both Member FINRA/SIPC. Your accounts are in your name, at the custodian, with you as the legal owner. As your advisor, we have authority to manage the investments and execute trades on your behalf, but we never take possession of your funds. You can view account balances, request distributions, and verify activity directly through your custodian at any time.

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