Questions, answered plainly

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Choosing an advisor is a significant decision. These are the questions I hear most often, answered the way I would answer them across the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

◆ W O R K I N G W I T H M E

  • A fiduciary is legally required to put your interests ahead of their own. When an advisor acts as a fiduciary, the advice has to be what is best for you, not what pays the advisor most. It is the standard most people assume every advisor is held to. Most are not, and it is worth asking any advisor you interview.

    I act as a fiduciary while providing financial planning and investment advice.

    On the rare occasion you need a solution where I’m not acting in a fiduciary capacity, I am acting as a registered representative, and in that capacity a different standard applies. Before we proceed with any recommendation, I tell you which capacity I am acting in and how I am compensated for it.

  • While some advisors can receive large bonuses for moving firms and additional bonuses for bringing clients with, sometimes in the millions, I received $0 to start Ascendant, and I receive no bonuses for clients who come with me. Without that conflict, the only way I benefit is the way I always have: by doing good work for people who choose to work with me.

  • The first meeting is a conversation, not a sales presentation. I want to understand what you have built, what concerns you, and what you want your wealth to do for the people you care about. Recent statements and a rough sense of your income and expenses are helpful, but it is fine to show up with nothing but questions.

  • Easier than most people expect. Everything is done electronically to make it as easy and convenient as possible for you. It takes about 10-20 minutes to fill out the “info needed” sheet, then do some e-signatures. Schwab takes it from there, and in most cases assets move within one to two weeks. You do not need to have a difficult conversation with your current advisor. The paperwork does the talking.

  • Moving your accounts is not what triggers taxes. Transfers happen "in kind," meaning your investments move to Schwab as they are, without being sold, but in the event a holding can't, I would reach out to you to discuss immediately. Retirement accounts like IRAs can be repositioned afterward with no tax impact at all.

    The tax question only arises in taxable accounts, and only if we decide changes are worth making. My goal is a portfolio built for you, and that may mean moving away from some current holdings. Before any change with a tax cost, we weigh that cost against the benefit, and with your permission I work with your CPA on the timing and strategy, whether that means spreading changes across tax years, harvesting losses to offset gains, or leaving a position alone because the tax bill outweighs the improvement. You see the trade-off before anything happens.

  • Yes. Ascendant is a boutique practice by design, and you work with me, not a team you get handed to. As the practice grows, I expect to add support staff who help behind the scenes with scheduling, paperwork, and service requests. What does not change is who does the thinking. Your planning and your investment strategy stay with me, and the person who knows your full picture is the person across the table from you.

  • Yes, and with your permission I prefer to. Wealth decisions rarely live in one lane. Coordinating with your CPA and attorney is part of Complete Wealth Management, and it is often where the most expensive mistakes get caught early.

  • No. I am based in Madison, and have the latest tools to work virtually. Currently, I’m licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, and California. If someone in another state wants to work with me, I can be licensed within 1-5 business days, in most instances, sometimes same-day.

◆ S A F E T Y A N D S E C U R I T Y

  • Your accounts are held at Charles Schwab, and you will have a Schwab login to veiw your accounts online. I never take possession of your money. I direct the investments, but Schwab sends your statements and gives you independent access to everything.

  • No, not on my own authority. Your accounts are held at Charles Schwab in your name, and money moves at your direction: to bank accounts you approve, or by check sent where you instruct. The one exception is my advisory fee, which you authorize in writing when we begin working together and which appears on every Schwab statement, so you can verify each deduction.

    There is also a benefit to workingn with a boutique firm. I know your voice, your habits, and your goals. If a request ever looks out of character for you, I pick up the phone and confirm before it moves forward. That is a layer of protection no call center or large firm offers.

  • A fair question to ask any solo advisor. Your assets stay at Schwab in your name no matter what, and my affiliation with Harbour Investments provides continuity of service so your accounts are never left unattended. I am glad to walk through the specifics in person.

◆ F E E S A N D S E R V I C E S

  • My compensation is explained fully on the Fee Transparency page, including how fees work for each service. If anything there is unclear, ask me. You should never have to guess how your advisor is paid.

  • Complete Wealth Management is the full relationship: planning, investments, and coordination across your tax, legal, and business advisors, guided by my CLEAR process. Investment Management Only is for those who want professional portfolio management without the broader planning engagement. The Services page describes both in detail, and I’m happy to answer any questions that page doesn’t.