Q: What does 'fee-only' mean and how is that different than 'fee-based'?

Meritage Wealth Management is a fee-only advisory firm and a proud member of NAPFA, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. Fee-only means your advisor does not receive commissions or additional revenue from product providers. Fee-based advisors receive fees from you as well as commissions from selling products and/or revenue-sharing agreements with product providers or referral sources.

Question 1

How do we start working together?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule your meeting at calendly.com/meritagewm/1hour-initial-consultation or visit www.meritagewm.com/process for more information.

Question 2

What is your investment minimum for new clients?

Accepted Answer

$3,000,000 (excluding real estate). For individuals who don't meet the $3 million minimum, I offer a Project-Based Financial Planning Service. This is a fixed-fee engagement starting at $7,500, with limited availability each year. Half of the fee is due at the start of the engagement and the remainder upon completion.

Question 3

How are you paid?

Accepted Answer

I am only paid by my clients via a fee. I encourage you to ask your current financial advisor(s) how they are paid and the underlying expenses of your current investments. If you need help understanding what you are paying now, I can help figure it out from your previous years' tax forms and current investment statements.

Question 4

What does 'fee-only' mean and how is that different than 'fee-based'?

Accepted Answer

Meritage Wealth Management is a fee-only firm helping women in or approaching retirement, including those navigating widowhood or divorce.

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Minimum investable assets of $3,000,000 required for new clients (excluding real estate).

Question 5

How long have you been practicing?

Accepted Answer

25 years.

Question 6

How many financial advisors work at your firm, and who will be my advisor?

Accepted Answer

You will work one-on-one with me.

Question 7

Am I a good fit for Meritage Wealth Management?

Accepted Answer

New clients are typically concerned about taxes in retirement, whether their assets will last throughout retirement, consolidating and coordinating their assets, and strategies to protect their wealth. I only work with kind people looking for a trusted, long-term partner to outsource investment management and financial planning to. I have a new client investment minimum of $3,000,000.

Question 8

How many clients do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Currently 45.

Question 9

Do I need to live near Carlsbad, CA to work with you?

Accepted Answer

No, we work with clients remotely nationwide.

Question 10

Are you a fee-only fiduciary 100% of the time?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 11

Will you prepare my personal taxes?

Accepted Answer

The third-party CPA firm I have contracted with will bill me directly for your annual tax preparation. If you love your current CPA, you can keep them—I'm happy to work alongside them throughout the year on your tax planning.

Question 12

Which bank or financial institution do you work with?

Accepted Answer

LPL Financial. However, I do not work for LPL and maintain the flexibility to change this relationship if it would better serve my clients.

Question 13

What if I decide to stop working with you? How do I transfer my money?

Accepted Answer

You are always in control of your money.

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