Fee-only financial advisor · Working with clients across the country by Zoom and phone · 404.983.8099

Home / Our process

Our process

What working together looks like, step by step.

No surprises. Here is exactly what happens from your first call through your first year, and how we stay on top of your plan after that.

Getting started

Your first 90 days.

A typical timeline. Yours may move faster or slower depending on how quickly account information comes together.

  1. Step 1 · Week 1

    Intro call

    A short call by phone or Zoom. We learn what prompted you to reach out, explain how we work and what we charge, and answer your questions. If it looks like a fit, we schedule discovery.

  2. Step 2 · Weeks 2–3

    Discovery meeting

    We go deep on your goals, timeline, income, spending and concerns, and how much loss you can tolerate. You’ll get a secure RightCapital invitation to link accounts and upload statements.

  3. Step 3 · Weeks 3–5

    Plan presentation

    We walk you through a written plan and a recommended portfolio, what it costs, and what has to be true for it to work. You decide whether to move forward. No pressure either way.

  4. Step 4 · Weeks 5–8

    Onboarding

    We open accounts in your name at Altruist or Schwab, with most paperwork signed electronically, handle transfer requests with your current firm and talk through any tax consequences before anything is sold.

  5. Step 5 · Weeks 8–12

    Implementation

    We invest according to the plan, set up any income you need, and show you how to use the Altruist and RightCapital portals.

After that

How we stay on top of it.

The plan isn’t a document you file away. It’s reviewed on a schedule, and whenever your life changes.

  1. Ongoing

    Portfolio monitoring

    We monitor every portfolio against its plan and rebalance when it drifts.

  2. Each year

    Plan update

    A full review meeting: goals, spending, taxes, beneficiaries and the year ahead.

  3. Tax season

    Tax coordination

    Tax forms, required distributions and Roth conversion checks, coordinated with your CPA.

  4. Whenever

    Life changes

    Retirement, a sale, an inheritance, a loss. Book a call and we’ll update the plan.

Remote by design

How working together from anywhere works.

Most clients never need to visit an office. Everything we do together works by video, phone and secure online tools.

Meetings by Zoom or phone

Reviews happen on screen, with your plan and portfolio shared so you see exactly what we see.

Electronic paperwork

Account openings and transfers are signed electronically in most cases. No printing or mailing.

Always-on portals

Your plan in RightCapital and your accounts at Altruist or Schwab, on your phone or computer any time.

Direct line to Michael

Call, email or book a time. You reach the person who manages your money, not a call center.

Be prepared

What to have handy.

Nothing is required for the intro call. For discovery, these help.

  • Recent statements for investment and retirement accounts
  • Your most recent tax return
  • Social Security statements (from ssa.gov)
  • Pension, annuity or insurance details, if you have them
  • Estate documents: wills, trusts, powers of attorney
  • A rough sense of what you spend each month

Next step

Let’s see if we’re a fit.

Start with a short intro call. Tell us what prompted you to reach out, ask anything you like, and leave with a clear sense of whether working together makes sense. No preparation needed.

Call Message Book a call