- What is a fiduciary, and why does it matter?
- A fiduciary has a legal duty to act in a client's best interest when giving advice. That is a different standard from recommending products that are only "suitable." Not every financial professional is held to the same standard, and some are paid in ways that can create conflicts of interest, such as commissions on the products they sell. 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. Fee-only compensation can reduce some conflicts of interest but does not remove all of them, so it is still worth asking any advisor how they are paid and reviewing their Form ADV.
- What services do you offer?
- 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.
- What can I expect from the first meeting?
- 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.
- Do I need to have a certain amount of money saved before I talk to 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.
