Frequently Asked Questions
What it’s like
to work with us.
You can expect a plan built around your situation — not a product someone's trying to sell you. As an independent investment advisor, we're not tied to any specific company's investments or strategies, so our recommendations are based on what's actually right for you, not what pays us the most. As fiduciaries, we're legally required to put your interests first — always.
Practically, that means we start by understanding your family, your goals, and what you actually want your money to do, then build a plan that reflects it — your investments, your retirement timeline, your estate plan, and your giving, all working in the same direction.
We're headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, but most of our clients work with us remotely from across the country. Wherever you are, the process is the same: a plan built around what matters to you, not a template pulled off the shelf.
We start with the whole picture, not just the accounts we manage. That means tax-efficient investing, withdrawal strategy, estate planning, insurance, and wealth transfer — but it also means we factor in the 401(k), stock options, or kids' accounts we don't directly manage. Your money doesn't work in isolated pieces, so your plan shouldn't either.
We start with a conversation to make sure we're the right fit for each other. Once your assets transfer over, we walk through the Clarity System — purpose, income, taxes, investments, all of it. Early on we meet often, weekly or every other week, so nothing gets missed. After that, we settle into at least two strategy check-ins a year, plus support whenever you need it — not just when it's convenient for us.
We start by understanding your goals, your values, and where things stand financially — not just running numbers. From there, we build your plan piece by piece: income, investments, taxes, estate planning, and more, aimed at helping you live the life you actually want, not just get by. And because life changes, the plan keeps changing with it — regular check-ins keep everything aligned as your priorities evolve.
We work with people from all walks of life — we want to see everyone win when it comes to investing in their future, which is why we have chosen to partner with you without mandating an account minimum. Our hope is that we can come alongside you to help guide you to your financial dream.
Your assets stay with a third-party custodian through Altruist, not with us directly — and they stay in your name. We act as your advisor with limited authority to manage them on your behalf. We don't earn commissions on products, so every recommendation is about what's right for you, not what pays us.
Transferring your accounts is simple through the ACAT system — everything moves in-kind, so nothing gets sold or disrupted along the way. Whether it's an IRA or a brokerage account, your investments stay exactly as they are; only where you log in changes. We won't touch your portfolio until you've approved a plan built specifically around your goals and tax situation.
To give you advice that actually holds together, we typically ask to manage all assets available for management — that's what keeps your strategy cohesive and your risk properly aligned. But we're not rigid about it; small personal holdings that don't affect the bigger picture are fine to keep separate. This isn't about control. It's about making sure you're not left playing financial quarterback on your own.
No. Our services are billed monthly, and you can leave anytime with just an email. We'd rather earn your trust every month than lock you into staying.
We use modern portfolio tools to bring consistency and tax awareness to how we manage your accounts, but the strategy behind those decisions is always ours — technology supports the work, it doesn't replace the judgment. Our team keeps an eye on your accounts regularly, watching for tax-loss harvesting opportunities and making sure everything stays aligned with your plan.
We meet with all our clients in person or virtually — no matter where you are. That’s intentional: it means we can bring on advisors based on their experience and expertise, not just their zip code, so you get the right advisor for you rather than the closest one.
Retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, insurance review, cash flow planning — and everything in between that keeps your financial life feeling manageable instead of overwhelming. Our goal is to take as much of the planning burden off your plate as we can, so you feel calm — and even excited — about what's ahead.
Fees & value
Our fee reflects the value of having a trusted partner focused on your entire financial life—so you don't have to become your own advisor. We provide both quantifiable benefits (like tax strategies and withdrawal planning) and priceless peace of mind, helping you make confident, intentional decisions about retirement, lifestyle, and legacy. Ultimately, you're investing in your time, clarity, and confidence—not just spreadsheets and returns.
We charge a transparent, tiered percentage based on the assets we actively manage—starting at 1% for the first $1 million and decreasing as your assets grow. There are no commissions, hidden fees, or extra charges for tax or estate planning, and billing is done monthly for flexibility. If we're not delivering value that exceeds the cost, you're free to walk away—no long-term commitments.
We charge a fee that's a percentage of the value of the investments we manage, which is debited directly from the account:
—1% on the first $1,000,000 we manage
—0.75% between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000
—0.50% between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000
—0.40% between $10,000,000 and $25,000,000
—0.30% between $25,000,000 and $50,000,000
—0.25% between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000
—0.20% on amounts above $100,000,000
We don't get paid through any type of commission, kickback, or other undisclosed revenue sources. There's no additional charge for the tax and estate planning we provide.
Services & planning
Retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, insurance review, cash flow planning — and everything in between that keeps your financial life feeling manageable instead of overwhelming. Our goal is to take as much of the planning burden off your plate as we can, so you feel calm — and even excited — about what’s ahead.
Yes.
Your CPA is excellent for accounting for what happened last year. Often, they don't work on limiting your tax liability in the future.
At Clarity, we help you look at the big picture and offer strategies to optimize your spending and saving for tax efficiencies. You (or your CPA) will still be responsible for filing your return.
At Clarity, we focus on proactive tax planning, not tax preparation. We help clients identify opportunities like Roth conversions, tax gain/loss harvesting, charitable strategies, and optimizing income to manage healthcare costs or subsidies—all in coordination with your broader financial goals. While we don't file your taxes, we collaborate closely with your CPA to ensure everything is implemented smoothly and strategically.
Yes—we review and advise on all types of insurance, including long-term care, auto, home, and umbrella coverage. We don't sell insurance, so our recommendations are unbiased and focused solely on making sure you're properly covered without overpaying or carrying unnecessary policies.
Our investment philosophy is all about simplicity, efficiency, and long-term income—not market timing or chasing performance. We focus on low-cost, diversified investments like index funds and ETFs, tailoring your portfolio based on your unique needs, tax situation, and income goals. Whether it's building around what you already own or reallocating carefully, the priority is ensuring your wealth supports your lifestyle for the rest of your life.
See how we can help you live your best life in retirement.
We’d love to meet you.