Our Process
Get Acquainted Our first visit is the “Get Acquainted” visit were we get to know each other a little bit. This is kind of like a first date. You should leave knowing just about everything you need to know to decide if we should work together.
Make decision You need to make a decision. “No” is ok. Yes is better than no. I just need to know either way. If you say not now, I will keep your info on file, I may drop you a note from time to time, perhaps a greeting card. I will not chase you – this has to be something you want to do.
Contracting This is where we take care of our contractual arrangement, setting up billing, disclosures etc.
Get organized Our first official action is to bring all your data in, preferably electronically direct from wherever it lives -- bank, investment accounts. We review the big items – income tax, income, expenses. We might be able to have this visit by phone/Internet saving all of us some precious time.
Life Plan/Discovery This the visit were we make some planning assumptions/decisions. When will you retire? When do you claim Social Security? What does downsizing your home look like in dollars and cents?
Plan Presentation Now we’ll go over our finding & recommendations according to the data you provided as well as the items we covered during Life Plan/Discovery.
Plan Implementation This phase isn’t so much a meeting as it is an ongoing process of making changes as recommended during plan presentation. This might be increasing your retirement savings amounts, or updating your estate documents. Sometimes there isn’t much to be done right away.
Updates If you complete your initial planning before July 1, you will be included in the Fall Update group (see previous page) during September, October or November. If you complete your initial planning after July 1, you will be included in the Spring Update group (see previous page) during April, May or June.
Next: Getting started
For a free, no-obligation consultation click the “Book a Meeting” button on the right.
Thomas J Duffy, CFP®, MBA is a NAPFA registered fee-only financial advisor. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve. Since 1983, Americans across the country have looked to NAPFA for access to financial professionals who meet the highest membership standards for professional competency, client-focused financial planning, and Fee-Only compensation.