If you're researching financial advisors and trying to understand the differences, these are the questions we hear most often. Honest answers, no jargon.
Fee-only means we are compensated solely by our clients — through a transparent advisory fee — and we never receive commissions, kickbacks, or product-sale incentives from third parties. It's the cleanest compensation model in the industry, designed to eliminate conflicts of interest. When we recommend an investment, it's because we believe it's right for you, not because someone paid us to recommend it.
A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is held to a fiduciary standard, meaning we are legally obligated to act in our clients' best interest at all times. Brokers, by contrast, are typically held to a "suitability" standard — they must recommend products that are suitable, but not necessarily the best option available. The distinction matters enormously when it comes to product selection, fees, and conflicts of interest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Every relationship begins with a complimentary "Get Acquainted" meeting — no obligation, no pressure.
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