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General Questions
 | What Makes You Different? We are wealth managers, not investment managers. Investment management focuses only on the investment outcome. As wealth managers, we view the investment portfolio as a means for allowing our clients to meet their personal goals in life. Our investment approach is time tested, based upon Nobel prize winning research and utilizes “best in class” investments vehicles. However, we distinguish ourselves further by creating a comprehensive plan, personalized and tailored to your unique set of circumstances. Furthermore, you can be comfortable knowing that since we are independently owned, and commission free (fee-only), we have no hidden agendas or high pressure sales practices. |
| What Are Your Credentials? Our team has complimentary skills & credentials consisting of Certified Financial Planner, Certified Public Accountant, Masters in Taxation, MBA, Certified Trust Financial Advisor, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, and Certified Exit Planner designations. |
| How Big Is Your Firm? As of 2019, Total Wealth Planning serves over 400 client families
representing approximately $500 million of trust assets under management. We
have purposely structured our firm to be big enough to provide the necessary
resources for our clients, but small enough that we can provide the
personalized attention that each of our clients deserve. Our team consists of
12 passionate professionals, serving clients on a global basis. Our firm was
established in 1989 and is managed by the second generation of independent
owners. |
| How Do I Hire Total Wealth Planning? We simply ask for your
written commitment by signing a Wealth Advisory Agreement. The agreement will
provide the terms of the engagement with our firm. In the unlikely result that
you are unsatisfied in any way, you will not have made an up-front monetary
commitment. We charge no commissions and have no contracts in order to reduce
your risk of an unsatisfactory result. |
| What Is the Required Minimum Account Size? In
order to work with clients during different stages of their lives, we have developed
four distinct service offerings and fees vary based upon the level of service
provided. These offerings are typically broken up by the amount of assets our
clients entrust us to manage, starting at approximately $250,000 of investable
assets. In certain situations services can be accessible at lower account sizes
and can be offered on a retainer basis. |
| Where Are My Assets Held? Your investment portfolio
is held by a qualified, independent custodian. Each year we initiate a due
diligence process to evaluate the quality of custodians, evaluating multiple
criteria such as the investment platform, technological capabilities, quality
of communications and services, etc. Most clients of Total Wealth Planning use
Charles Schwab - Institutional, with the next most common being their
employer’s retirement plan custodian such as Fidelity, TIAA - CREF, Vanguard or
similar. Although we expect it to be very
rare to see a need to change a custodian the opportunity to make a change is
always available to us since we are not employed by any of these institutions. |
| Can I Transfer My Current Account Assets In-Kind or Do I Have to Sell Everything First? We recommend transferring
your existing holdings in-kind when possible which avoids incurring a taxable
event. We then mutually agree to hold or sell positions evaluating factors such as potential tax implications, investment costs, and future opportunity metrics. |
| How Do I Make Deposits or Withdrawals? These can be done by check,
bank transfer (ACH), wire transfer, or account transfer (ACAT). At no time is
Total Wealth Planning in possession of your funds. All funding happens directly
between you and the custodian. To simplify the process, we recommend and assist
with establishing standing instructions between the custodian and your local
bank account. Deposits or withdrawals can be set up as automated or on demand. Schwab
maintains local branch offices in most major cities if you prefer an in-person
process. |
| How Is My Fee Calculated and Paid? Our clients pay a quarterly fee based on the average daily balance of
their managed investment portfolio for the prior quarter. The initial quarterly
fee is pro-rated from the date of investment until the end of the quarter. The
default method for payment of fees is to deduct from your investment account,
with exception that we do not advise paying a fee from a Roth IRA unless this
is your only investment account and prefer NOT to pay by check. |
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