FAQ

I use a two step process to help new clients decide if I am the right fit for their needs.

Step 1: Schedule a complimentary 20 minute phone consultation with me. Please complete this form linked here to start that process.

Step 2: Schedule a one hour initial consultation with me either via Zoom or at my office in Carlsbad, CA. We'll talk in depth about your current financial situation and your needs going forward. I'll share my philosophy of financial planning and how I serve my clients so that you can make an educated and informed decision about working together. This is a focused, one-time, one hour initial consultation only to help you decide if you would like to work together going forward. It is best suited for those in or close to retirement with at least $3,000,000 of investment assets (excluding real estate).

My investment management, financial planning and tax planning fee structure works best for those with investable assets over $3,000,000 (excluding real estate).

I do have an option for clients in need of financial planning services only that do not meet the above asset minimum and would like to implement my recommendations on their own. This option is called a Project-Based Financial Planning Service that is on a fixed fee basis for a limited scope engagement and the one time planning fee ranges from $7,500 - $25,000.

The fixed fee will be agreed upon before the start of any work and half of the fee is paid at the beginning of the engagement and the remainder upon completion. The scope of work for the Project-Based Financial Planning Service may include the following topics based on your needs: Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Development of Financial Goals, Investment Analysis, Risk Management, College Planning and Tax Planning Scenarios.

I am proud to operate with complete independence, allowing me to prioritize the best interests of my clients without any external pressures or affiliations. I am not tied to any big banks, insurance companies, or annuity providers. Currently, I partner with LPL Financial as the custodian for my clients' investment assets. However, I do not work for LPL and maintain the flexibility to change this relationship if I believe it would better serve my clients. Since 2006, my clients have benefited from this arrangement, and I remain committed to making decisions that are in their best interest. You can read about LPL Financial here.

If you're currently retired (or it's quickly approaching!) and you are looking for a financial planner focused on issues in retirement, then you're in the right place!  I pride myself on delivering high quality investment management, financial planning and tax planning advice for folks that are in the "work-optional" phase of life.  New clients are typically concerned about taxes in retirement, understanding if their assets will last throughout retirement, consolidating and coordinating their assets, and strategies to protect their wealth.

As an investor, the ideal Meritage client is concerned with the big picture, not the daily moves of the investment markets. You are  looking to play the long game, not the 100-yard dash and are committed to meeting with me biannually. I believe the best results stem from meticulous planning and methodology that is rooted in your own personal needs and goals, and my investment approach reflects this.

I only work with kind people who are looking for a trusted, long-term partner they can outsource their investment management and financial planning to with the hopes of freeing up their time to concentrate on enjoying their retirement. I do have a new client investment minimum of $3,000,000.

If you're looking for a better fit for you, and searching for a Fee-Only advisor who is a Fiduciary 100% of the time like me, please visit the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors here.

I work with a select group of clients—currently 45 —so that I can provide each one with the personalized attention they deserve. Unlike many financial advisors who manage hundreds of clients, I focus on building deep, meaningful relationships through in-depth conversations. My goal is not to serve a large number of clients, but rather to maintain a level of service that meets the unique needs of each family. If you're interested in working together, please schedule an initial consultation with me here.

No, not at all as it’s important to me that my services are made available to anyone across the United States. My clients currently reside in FL, WA, OH, CO, ID, OR and throughout CA.  I offer a very flexible online approach and we can meet virtually, no matter where in the country you are located. Meetings for out of town clients are conducted via Zoom, paperwork is signed electronically via DocuSign and you can securely upload your documents to me anytime via the "Secure Uploads" section of my website here.

25 years. You can download my professional history here and check on any Investment Adviser (IA) here or Broker (B) here. These are free public resource websites that allow you to view employment history, professional qualifications, disciplinary actions, criminal convictions, civil judgments, and arbitration awards of any licensed financial professional. 

Yes! If you're not sure what that means, you can read about fee-only advising here and grab a checklist of questions to ask any financial advisor you are interviewing. 

I understand that taxes can be complex and, over your lifetime, will likely be one of your largest expenses. Because of this, for most of my clients with at least $3,000,000 in assets under management with my firm, I will absorb the fees associated with your personal tax preparation and have the third-party CPA firm that I have contracted with will bill me directly for your annual tax preparation.

If you love your current CPA, you can keep your CPA! I am more than happy to work with them throughout the year on your tax planning issues.

Although my firm is supported by many specialists behind the scenes, I am the only financial advisor employed by my firm, by choice. You will work one-on-one with me. If you prefer a phone tree of staff to work through or a different advisor each time you meet for reviews, Meritage Wealth Management is not the firm for you.

As a fee-only advisor, I believe in complete transparency and I am only paid by my clients via a fee. “Fee-only” means I do not receive referral or affiliate fees, do not receive commissions of any sort from insurance or annuity companies, and do not have limits on what I am allowed to recommend. I am only compensated directly by my clients for advice, plan implementation, and for the ongoing management of assets.

Currently, the annual advisory fee I charge ranges from 0.50% - 0.90% per year for clients with at least $3,000,000 under my management, and the fee is billed to your investment accounts. There is no additional charge for your financial and tax planning throughout the year.

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.

While I certainly want to invest in long-term relationships with my clients, you are always in control of your money. Your money is held with a standard custodian (in this case LPL Financial), and you have the option to stop working with me anytime. You can continue to access your money or move it wherever you want. If you make this change in the middle of a calendar quarter, my advisory fee for the remainder of the quarter will be rebated to your account.