Covering Your Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Planning In Colorado Springs
Real answers to the questions we hear the most.
Frequently Asked, Honestly Answered
What is a fiduciary?
A fiduciary is a financial professional who is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest, not just recommend what’s suitable or convenient. That means every recommendation we make has to be about what actually helps you, not what benefits us.
This standard matters because not every advisor operates this way. Some are only held to a “suitability” standard, which allows more room for products that benefit the advisor as much as the client. Working with a fiduciary removes that conflict from the equation entirely.
How do I get started working with a financial advisor?
Getting started is simpler than most people expect. Begin by thinking through what you actually want help with, whether that’s building a plan from scratch, managing investments, or tackling a specific goal like paying down debt or preparing for retirement.
From there, schedule a consultation. You don’t need to have all the answers before that first conversation. Part of our job is helping you define exactly what kind of support makes sense for your situation.
What questions should I ask a new advisor?
Before you commit to working with anyone, it’s worth asking a few direct questions to understand who you’re working with and how they operate. A good advisor should be happy to answer all of these clearly.
- Are you a fiduciary, and are you willing to put that in writing?
- How do you get paid, and what does that look like for my situation?
- What kind of clients do you typically work with?
- What services do you actually provide, planning, investments, or both?
- How often will we communicate, and what does that look like?
The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about whether an advisor is the right fit before you ever sign anything.
What is your investment philosophy?
We believe in long-term, personalized investing built on education, discipline, and transparency. That means we’re not chasing trends or making reactive moves based on short-term market swings.
Instead, we build diversified portfolios designed around each client’s specific goals and comfort with risk. The aim is to help you make confident, informed decisions at every stage of your financial life, not just react to whatever the market is doing this week.
When should I start working with a financial advisor?
There’s no perfect moment to start, and it’s never too early. Some people begin when they land their first job and want to build good habits from the start. Others reach out during a major life change or when they simply feel unsure about how to manage things on their own.
Marriage, a new child, divorce, the loss of a loved one, or a move across the country are all common turning points that bring people to us. If you’re facing a big change or just feel like you could use some clarity, that’s usually a good sign it’s time to talk.
How are financial advisors paid?
Compensation structures vary quite a bit across the industry, and it’s worth understanding how yours works before you sign anything. As fee-only fiduciaries, here’s how we’re compensated, depending on the services you need:
- A flat fee for a defined scope of work
- An hourly rate for project-based planning
- A percentage of assets under management (AUM) for ongoing investment management
Because we’re fee-only, we never earn a commission for recommending a particular product. Our compensation isn’t tied to what you buy, only to the work we do for you.
How do I know if a financial advisor is legitimate?
Verifying an advisor’s background is quick, free, and something every client should feel comfortable doing before working with someone new. A few resources make this easy:
- Visit brokercheck.finra.org to look up licensing and disciplinary history
- Visit adviserinfo.sec.gov (IAPD) to review a firm or advisor’s registration
- Ask directly about credentials, registration states, and any past complaints
Any legitimate advisor will encourage you to look them up, not discourage it. We’re registered in Colorado and Ohio, and you’re always welcome to verify our standing yourself.
Do I need to be wealthy to work with an advisor?
Not at all. Some firms only take on clients above a certain asset threshold, but plenty of advisors, especially those focused on financial planning rather than just investment management, work with clients across a wide range of income and asset levels.
What matters more than your current net worth is having clear goals and a willingness to build a plan around them. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been saving for decades, there’s likely a service that fits where you are.
What happens if my advisor retires or is no longer available?
This is a fair question, and one more people should ask. Advisors are human, and life circumstances change, which is why having a plan for continuity matters just as much as the plan for your money.
We have a succession plan in place specifically to make sure your service continues without disruption, even if something changes on our end. If you ever have questions about how that process works, we’re glad to walk you through it.
What should I bring to my first meeting?
Coming prepared can help your first conversation go a lot further, though it’s not required. If you have them handy, a few documents can be useful:
- Recent pay stubs or income statements
- Investment or retirement account statements
- A rough list of monthly expenses or debts
- Any specific questions or goals you want to cover
That said, don’t let missing paperwork hold you back from reaching out. We can always work with whatever information you have and fill in the rest together.