Becoming a Client

Two ways engagements typically begin.

Our work often begins at a pivotal financial moment. Sometimes we open a new account with 100% cash and build the portfolio from scratch. Other times, we review portfolios held elsewhere — focusing on ways to improve structure, risk alignment, tax efficiency, costs, diversification, and documentation over time.

Building from the ground up

When an account starts with cash, we design the portfolio from the beginning to fit the account’s specific needs.

That process may include understanding factors such as the account type and structure (for example, individual, joint, or trust), time horizon, number of beneficiaries, income needs, and any special considerations that may affect how we build the portfolio.

Next, we help determine the appropriate level of risk — often through a brief 5- to 10-minute risk questionnaire that helps define acceptable downside volatility for the client or account.

Once that foundation is in place, we construct the portfolio with careful attention to size, style, geography, and fixed-income structure. This may include reviewing bond maturities, credit quality, court or probate-related directives, tax sensitivity, low costs, diversification, correlation, and overall portfolio efficiency.

The portfolio is then stress tested, monitored, and adjusted as circumstances, health, spending needs, or objectives change.

Reviewing an existing portfolio

When a portfolio already exists, we begin by analyzing its current structure and creating a strong baseline report for the fiduciary and client.

That review will show the portfolio’s potential upside and downside volatility, higher-risk exposures, diversification issues, overlap, internal costs, fixed-income structure, tax efficiency, and overall efficiency.

The goal is to give the fiduciary and client a more objective, transparent, and documentable starting point — a clear understanding of where the portfolio stands today. From there, we can identify thoughtful improvements and document progress over time.

In some cases, account structure and tax treatment make a tax-aware transition especially important, including loss harvesting, gain management, or beneficiary distributions where appropriate. Portfolios with embedded gains, high-cost mutual funds, or other legacy positions may require gradual improvement over time.

Get in Touch

Ready to talk through which path fits your situation?

Given that each case possesses a unique set of circumstances, it is best that prospective clients, fiduciaries, and attorneys contact us directly to discuss services.