How the Advisory Process Works

Helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate financial decisions with clarity, structure, and a long-term perspective.

Step 01

Free Review

Start with a free, no-obligation conversation to understand your financial picture, what matters most to you, and where you may need guidance.

What this step includes

Your Financial Picture

Review your income, assets, investments, and existing accounts.

Goals & Concerns

Discuss priorities around retirement, investing, taxes, insurance, and estate planning.

Priorities & Expectations

Understand your time horizon, risk comfort, priorities, and expectations.

Questions & Planning Gaps

Identify important questions, uncertainties, and areas that may need attention.

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Professionals reviewing financial documents and data together, representing investment analysis and advisory review.

Step 02

Strategy

This step organizes the key areas of your financial life into a coordinated financial plan, then connects that framework to an investment strategy aligned with your goals, time horizon, risk comfort, retirement needs, and long-term objectives.

What this step includes

Goals & Priorities

Clarify your financial goals, timelines, and priorities, including retirement and estate planning objectives.

Financial Planning Framework

Coordinate key areas such as cash flow, investments, retirement, taxes, insurance, and estate considerations.

Risk & Retirement Needs

Assess risk tolerance, time horizon, retirement income needs, and long-term wealth sustainability.

Investment Strategy

Develop a diversified, tax-aware, and cost-conscious investment strategy grounded in your broader financial plan.

Financial Plan Preview

Step 03

Implementation

Once the plan and strategy are in place, the focus shifts to putting them into action and providing ongoing management as your investments, financial needs, and life circumstances evolve.

What this step includes

Portfolio Implementation

Put the investment strategy into action through portfolio construction, asset allocation, and diversification.

Ongoing Portfolio Management

Monitor the portfolio and make disciplined adjustments through rebalancing and trade execution when appropriate.

Tax & Cash Flow Coordination

Coordinate tax-aware investment decisions, contributions, retirement income, withdrawals, and distributions over time.

Reviews & Planning Updates

Review progress and update the plan as needed across retirement, taxes, estate planning, insurance, and other financial priorities.

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Book a free consultation

5 Most Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What should I expect from the consultation meetings?

The initial meetings are designed to understand your financial situation, goals, and priorities. The first meeting focuses on learning about you and your overall financial picture, while the follow-up meeting presents a structured financial and investment framework tailored to your situation.

Afterward, you can decide—without obligation—whether you would like to move forward.

2. Are you acting as a fiduciary?

Yes. As a registered Investment Adviser Representative, I am required to act as a fiduciary and put your best interests first.

My recommendations are based on what is appropriate for your situation—not commissions, product sales, or third-party incentives.

3. Why are the first consultation meetings free?

The first consultation meetings are offered at no cost so we can understand your goals, discuss your financial situation, and determine whether working together makes sense.

There is no pressure or obligation to move forward. Fees apply only if you choose to engage my advisory or financial planning services.

4. How do you charge for your services?

I offer two fee structures depending on your needs: assets-under-management (AUM) structure or a financial planning fee. Clients who engage me for ongoing investment management pay an AUM-based fee, while clients who need financial planning without ongoing asset management may pay a separate planning fee.

All fees are clearly disclosed and discussed before you decide to move forward. I do not earn commissions from investment products.

5. Where are my investment assets held?

Your investment assets are held in accounts owned and controlled by you at Charles Schwab, an independent third-party custodian. With your authorization, I may manage investments and place transactions according to the agreed-upon strategy.

I do not have authority to use your funds for personal purposes or access your assets outside portfolio management.

Start with a conversation

Discuss your financial goals and how Kennedy can help you make informed financial decisions.

book a Free Consultation

Financial advisor meeting with a couple to review financial documents, investment accounts, and long-term financial goals.