Fee-Based Advisory Services

Paying a fee for management provides access to professional expertise, which can help identify opportunities for growth, create strategies for maximizing retirement income, and develop tax-conscious approaches to help manage potential tax burdens that seek to erode your wealth. A financial professional can provide an objective for those who tend to make emotional decisions about their money. Just as you pay an attorney to navigate legal matters, working with a fiduciary advisor like Stalt Financial provides the benefit of specialized knowledge and guidance, aiming to help you make informed financial decisions. While we cannot guarantee outcomes, an experienced advisor may help you avoid unnecessary fees and guide you toward strategies that align with your financial goals. The real question is, Can you afford not to have an advisor? With a professional handling your financial strategy, you can focus on what matters most—enjoying life, knowing your financial future is in experienced hands.

As fiduciary financial advisors, we are bound by a legal and ethical obligation to act in your best interests. This means providing advice that is solely focused on your goals, free from outside incentives. A key part of our fiduciary duty is transparency—when it comes to fees, we make sure you know exactly what you’re paying upfront, with no hidden costs. Being a fiduciary is about trust, accountability, and keeping your financial well-being as the priority. To become a fiduciary financial advisor, professionals must pass specific licensing exams, such as the Series 65 or Series 66, which qualifies them as Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). As RIAs, they are legally required to uphold fiduciary standards, meaning they must act in their clients’ best interests. Advisors are also required to register with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state regulators, depending on the size of their firm. These requirements ensure fiduciary advisors provide transparent, conflict-aware advice, focused on helping you achieve your financial goals.

Fee-based advisors or planners charge a combination of fees—either as a percentage of AUM (assets under management), a flat fee, or hourly fee—while also earning commissions on certain products like insurance or investments. This hybrid model may appeal to clients who want both ongoing financial planning and access to specific financial products. While earning commissions can present potential conflicts of interest, many fee-based advisors also serve as fiduciaries, meaning they are required to act in your best interest when providing advice. Other common advisor compensation structures include: Fee-Only Advisors Fee-only advisors are compensated directly by clients through flat fees, hourly rates, or a percentage of assets managed. They do not earn commissions, which can help provide advice that is more focused on your financial goals. However, fee-only advisors may not always offer access to certain products, such as insurance, which can be important for comprehensive planning. Commissioned Agents or Advisors Commission-based advisors earn their income through commissions on the financial products they sell, such as insurance policies, mutual funds, or annuities. These advisors may specialize in certain products, offering valuable solutions for specific needs. However, since their compensation is tied to product sales, it’s important to ensure that the recommendations align with your financial interests. Commission-based advisors are typically not held to the same fiduciary standard, so understanding how they are compensated is crucial.

We’ve chosen to organize ourselves as fee-based planners because it enables us to offer truly comprehensive, full-service financial planning. As fee-based planners, we provide not only investment advice but also incorporate risk management strategies, including insurance-based products. To create a holistic financial plan, we believe it's essential to address both wealth-building and risk mitigation, with insurance playing a key role in the latter. Our expertise in insurance products and their various riders helps us recommend solutions that fit seamlessly into your overall financial strategy. By working with an independent insurance brokerage, we are not tied to any specific company or product, giving us the flexibility to search the market for insurance options that align with your unique needs. Our approach focuses on balancing both growth and protection, and being fee-based allows us to consider the full financial picture in creating a plan tailored to your goals.