FAQs

A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times — not just recommend products that are "suitable," but ones that are genuinely right for your specific situation. Not every financial professional is held to this standard; many operate under a lower bar that allows conflicts of interest, like commissions on the products they sell you. Ankerstar Wealth is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, which means we're compensated directly by our clients, not by commissions on the investments we recommend. That distinction matters because it removes the incentive to steer you toward a product that benefits us more than it benefits you.

We provide comprehensive wealth management, which includes investment management, retirement planning, education planning, tax planning, and estate planning, all built around a single, coordinated strategy rather than siloed pieces. While we don't provide accounting or legal services directly, we operate under a "family office lite" model and work closely with trusted outside professionals — a CPA for tax strategy and preparation, and an estate planning attorney — so your full financial picture stays connected. The goal is that no matter which service you come to us for, it's considered in the context of everything else going on in your financial life. Your initial appointment with Ankerstar Wealth is provided free of charge and free of strings. If you decide to proceed, we will send you a New Client Form to provide us with basic details and then we will prepare an Investment Policy Statement for your consideration, input, and approval.  This first meeting can be in person, over the phone, or over video teleconference (Zoom, Facetime, Skype) depending on client preference.

Your first meeting is complimentary and typically runs anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of your situation. We'll talk through your goals, your current financial position, and what you're looking for in an advisor - it's as much a chance for you to evaluate us as it is for us to get to know you. You're welcome to bring account statements, tax returns, or other documents if you'd like a more specific conversation, but it's not required; plenty of first meetings are just a conversation. Meetings can be held in person, by phone, or by video, whichever works best for you.

No - we don't have an account minimum. If you're looking for guidance, we're happy to have that conversation regardless of where you're starting from. We also don't use high-pressure sales tactics; our clients work with us because they've chosen to, not because they felt pushed into it. If you'd like to start with a portion of your assets rather than everything, that's an option too.

We're a fee-only fiduciary, which means our advice isn't influenced by commissions or product incentives - we're paid by our clients, for our clients. We take a coordinated approach to your finances, connecting investment management with tax and estate strategy through our in-house team and trusted outside partners, rather than treating each piece separately. We don't lock up your money in illiquid products; We don't charge fees to open, close, or transfer accounts, and we don't require a minimum to get started. While we're a Texas-based firm, we serve clients nationwide - wherever you are, we're the people you call, anytime you need us. Our advisors are Series 65 licensed and registered with the SEC, and you can verify our credentials directly through FINRA's BrokerCheck.

There's no cost to you. Transferring assets from your previous custodian or advisor is handled by your Ankerstar Wealth advisor. We also recommend you do not liquidate your current holdings before transferring - doing so can trigger fees from your former custodian and potentially significant tax consequences. Instead, we transfer your accounts as-is and use our own analysis to determine any adjustments once your assets are with us. And you're not required to move everything at once: if you'd like to start with a portion of your assets, we're happy to work with that while still factoring your full portfolio into our long-term planning through MoneyGuidePro.

Ankerstar Wealth never takes custody of your funds directly - our investment managers use Schwab as the primary custodian for client accounts. That means any money movement happens directly between you and Schwab, and we simply don't have the ability to move money into or out of your account. We do have a separate advisor portal that lets us manage and monitor your investments, but transfers require your signature through DocuSign every time. It's a structural safeguard, not just a policy - we physically can't access your funds, instead you have full access to control when and where they move if needed.

We start by getting to know your goals, your investing history, and how much risk you're actually comfortable with, then assign a risk number and range that becomes part of your client agreement. From there, most clients are placed into a "core" model aligned with that risk tolerance, built from a foundation of best-of-breed stocks and thematic ETFs. Where it makes sense, we add "satellite" positions tailored to your specific situation — things like private equity, individual bonds, or CDs — layered on top of that core. Any adjustments we make over time stay within your approved risk range, so the strategy can adapt to markets without drifting from what you signed off on.

It depends on the account and the client - a portfolio built around a bond ladder naturally sees less movement than one weighted toward more speculative holdings, though we actively review both on a regular basis. In general, we combine a risk-aligned core for long-term stability with satellite positions that give our advisors room to respond to short-term market conditions and opportunities. That combination is intentional: it's meant to provide steady strategic footing while still allowing tactical flexibility where it counts.

Core holdings are reviewed at least monthly, with adjustments made as market conditions evolve, and we check in with you quarterly to hear how you're feeling about the market and your own situation. In a downturn, we adjust based on current conditions and always talk through what you're comfortable with. Your risk range exists precisely so we can respond to volatility without abandoning the strategy built around your goals.

Fees are deducted directly from your account on a quarterly basis, and we bill in arrears - meaning you're only charged after the quarter's services have already been provided, not in advance. If you'd prefer, you're also welcome to pay by check instead. There are no hidden fees layered on top of this for standard account management.

Yes - you can typically withdraw any or all of your funds at any time, with the one caveat being certain "satellite" private investments where we make sure you understand exactly what the lock-up and redemption periods are on an investment-by-investment basis. Small withdrawals are typically available the same day, while withdrawing an entire account usually takes about three days to settle trades and process paperwork. The one thing we'd ask is that you loop in your advisor early when you know a withdrawal is coming, just so there are no surprises on timing.

Tax efficiency is built into the investment process itself, not treated as a separate conversation - things like account location, timing of withdrawals, and tax-loss harvesting opportunities are considered alongside your broader investment strategy. Because we work closely with your CPA (or ours, if you don't have one), tax planning decisions are made with your full financial picture in mind rather than in isolation. For certain clients, proper tax-aware portfolio construction can help materially reduce your tax bill at the end of the year

Yes - while we don't provide accounting or legal services directly, we operate under a "family office lite" model built around close coordination with trusted outside professionals. We regularly work with a CPA for tax strategy and preparation and an estate planning attorney for wills, trusts, and legacy planning. If you already have your own CPA or attorney, we're glad to work directly with them; if not, we can bring in our existing partners.

We start by understanding the full picture — vesting schedules, tax implications, and how much of your net worth is tied up in a single company — before recommending any changes. From there we typically build a diversification plan that balances reducing concentration risk against tax consequences and any restrictions your employer places on selling. This is an area where timing matters and mistakes are expensive, so it's typically one of the more hands-on conversations we have with clients.

For clients where it's appropriate, we offer access to alternative investments — such as Cantor Fitzgerald Opportunity Zones and Blackstone Private Funds - as "satellite" positions alongside a client's core portfolio. These are typically used to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds or address a specific goal, like deferring capital gains through an opportunity zone. Alternatives aren't a fit for every client or every account, so we evaluate suitability individually before recommending them. If interested, Ankerstar Wealth does have a tear sheet of private investments that an advisor would be happy to walk you through in your first meeting!

Legacy and estate planning are built into our broader wealth management process, not treated as an afterthought once a client reaches a certain age or net worth. We work alongside your estate attorney to make sure your investment strategy supports your wishes around wills, trusts, and how assets transfer to the next generation. For many clients, this also means involving family members in conversations early, so there's clarity - not surprises - when the time comes. In fact, one of our favorite ways to help plan across multiple generations is getting your kids involved early and often, especially by opening custodial accounts to teach them the power of investing.

Autopilot is a more streamlined, technology-driven way to access our investment strategies — including offerings like Quantum Xtreme — with less direct advisor involvement than our full wealth management relationships. It's built for clients who want a model strategy without the ongoing personalized planning that comes with working directly with an advisor. Full advisor relationships, by contrast, include tax coordination, estate planning support, and a strategy built around your specific goals, not just a model portfolio.