Questions before we work together.
Straightforward answers to some of the questions that tend to come up before someone decides whether Brooks Wealth Management is the right fit.
Who do you typically work with?
I primarily work with professionals, business owners, families, and people approaching or already in retirement. Most have reached a point where there is enough going on financially that managing everything themselves has become more difficult.
That could mean growing investments, equity compensation, a business, retirement getting closer, or simply more financial decisions that need to work together.
What does wealth management actually include?
The goal is to help look after your entire financial picture, not simply the investment accounts we manage.
That can include investments, retirement, taxes, cash flow, employer benefits, equity compensation, insurance, estate planning, and the financial decisions that come up along the way.
Not every area needs attention all the time. Part of the job is knowing what matters now, what can wait, and how a decision in one area may affect another.
How do you charge?
Most ongoing relationships are priced using a tiered assets-under-management fee. The standard schedule begins at 1.00% and declines as the amount managed increases.
Before you decide to work with Brooks Wealth Management, we will go through exactly what your relationship would cost. Your fee will also be clearly outlined in your Wealth Management Agreement.
Are you a fiduciary and fee-only?
Yes. Brooks Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser and has a fiduciary duty to its advisory clients.
The firm is also fee-only. Compensation comes directly from clients rather than commissions for selling investments, insurance, annuities, or other financial products.
Do you help with tax planning?
Yes. Taxes are part of many financial decisions, so they should generally be considered alongside the rest of the financial plan rather than treated as a separate exercise.
Depending on the situation, that might include retirement contributions, Roth conversions, charitable giving, investment taxes, equity compensation, withdrawal strategies, or coordinating with your CPA or tax professional when appropriate.
How do you approach investing?
I believe in diversified, long-term investing based on evidence rather than trying to predict what the market will do next.
The portfolio should support the financial plan, not the other way around. What the money is for, when it may be needed, taxes, and how much risk actually makes sense all influence how it should be invested.
How do I know if we are a good fit?
I do not think there is one income or net-worth number that automatically makes someone a good fit.
It has more to do with whether there are enough financial decisions happening at the same time that having someone coordinate the different pieces can be useful.
If you are making decisions around investments, taxes, retirement, a business, equity compensation, or growing wealth and would rather have someone help think through those decisions together, it may be worth having a conversation.
What happens if I decide to work with you?
We start by getting organized and understanding your financial life. From there, we identify the decisions that matter most, build the plan, and begin implementing it.
The relationship is ongoing. As life changes and new decisions come up, we revisit the plan and adjust where needed rather than handing you a financial plan and expecting you to manage everything from there.
Still have a question?
Schedule a brief introductory conversation. We can talk through what prompted you to reach out and whether working together makes sense.
Schedule an Introductory Call