Broker Check

Are you ready to embark on this journey with us?

Partnering with our team is a shared commitment. It asks for time, engagement and, above all, trust. The answers below address the questions we hear most often from families considering a relationship with us. We welcome a conversation whenever you're ready, whether you have more questions or would like to schedule an introductory meeting.

New Clients

Choosing a wealth advisor is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes, so it deserves careful consideration. We encourage you to speak with several firms to find the right fit. Many of the questions below are recommended by the CFP Board as part of a thorough advisor search.

  • As wealth grows, so does complexity. Tax exposure, estate planning, concentrated positions, business interests and family dynamics all interact in ways that are hard to manage alone. A dedicated planner brings objectivity, discipline and a coordinated strategy. That frees you to spend your time on what matters most. Often our greatest value is in the costly mistakes that never happen.
  • A trusted second perspective can confirm what's working and reveal what's been missed. We'll review your current plan, portfolio, tax strategy and estate documents. Then you'll get a candid assessment of gaps, risks and opportunities, with no obligation to make a change.
  • Every advisor on our team holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, and Alex Phillips also holds the CIMA® designation. CFP® professionals must meet rigorous standards for education, examination, experience and ethics, and must act as fiduciaries when providing financial advice.
  • Together, our team brings more than 50 years of experience guiding families through every stage of wealth: accumulation, liquidity events, retirement and transitions between generations. Our team includes multiple generations by design, so your family has continuity today and for the generations that follow.
  • A fiduciary is required to put your interests ahead of their own in every recommendation. For families with significant wealth, this standard is essential. It means our advice is shaped by your goals, not by products or incentives. We hold ourselves to this standard always. It's not a policy for us; it's who we are.
  • We are a multigenerational team serving multigenerational families. Every recommendation is one we would confidently follow with our own accounts. Our team is 100% CFP®-credentialed, tax strategy is fully built into your plan, communication is proactive, and we have a dedicated succession plan in place. Our team was also named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list.
  • We offer comprehensive wealth management in three areas.

    • Wealth planning: retirement, estate, tax, insurance, education, charitable giving and succession planning, coordinated with your CPA and attorney.
    • Investment management: portfolio construction, asset-based lending, private equity and alternative investments, RSU and stock option planning, and annuities.
    • Advocacy and education: guidance through major life events, divorce, and estate settlement, plus financial education for the next generation.
  • We begin by listening. Before we make any recommendation, we take time to understand who you are, what you value and the legacy you want to leave. From there we build a plan around your goals rather than a market index, and we refine it as your life changes. When a major decision comes up, we present clear options and the reasoning behind each, so you can move forward with confidence.
  • We primarily serve high net worth, self-made wealth creators and multigenerational families across the country: business owners, executives, professionals and retirees. They want a trusted advisory team closely involved in both their financial and personal decisions. Our deepest value goes to families whose finances have real complexity.
  • We're compensated through a transparent, asset-based advisory fee. We waive all trading costs, commissions, loads and markups. Because we don't earn more by recommending one product over another, our interests stay aligned with yours.
  • Our annual fee is tiered and declines as household assets grow, from 1.35% on the first tier to 0.80% for households with $5–10 million. Fees for households above $10 million are negotiable. Fees are assessed quarterly and cover planning, portfolio management, tax strategy and estate coordination. Certain extended services may carry additional fees, and we'll always discuss those in advance.
  • Our team has no disciplinary history. We encourage every prospective client to verify this independently through FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) and the CFP Board's verification site (cfp.net/verify). We believe transparency is the foundation of trust.

Good to Know

In an increasingly complex world, you deserve a trusted partner at every step.

  • Baird separates client securities from the firm's own assets and is a member of SIPC. SIPC covers up to $500,000 per customer, including up to $250,000 in cash. Baird adds excess coverage through Lloyd's of London and a financial institution bond that protects against fraud and theft. Baird's cybersecurity program is aligned with NIST frameworks. It includes annual independent SOC 1 audits, penetration testing twice a year and continuous vulnerability monitoring.
  • Tax and estate considerations are part of nearly every recommendation we make, and we offer thoughtful guidance in both areas. However, we are not licensed attorneys or CPAs, so we don't prepare tax returns, draft legal documents or provide formal legal or tax advice. Instead, we work closely with your attorney and CPA so every part of your plan works together. We also don't chase short-term trends, sell products for commission or take a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • You don't need to be an investment expert. We handle the complexity and walk you through every decision. All we ask is that you stay engaged. Many clients find their understanding and confidence grow naturally over time.
  • Yes. We're based in Denver and serve families across the country. Secure video meetings, digital document delivery and Baird Online make distance a non-issue, and we welcome in-person meetings whenever you prefer.
  • Our services are best suited to families with meaningful complexity who want comprehensive guidance, not just investment management. That often includes business owners preparing for a transition, executives with equity compensation, retirees managing income and taxes, and families focused on passing wealth and values to the next generation.
  • A broker-dealer executes transactions and may offer brokerage accounts. An RIA provides ongoing, fee-based advice under a fiduciary standard. Baird is registered as both, which lets us offer the institutional resources, research and asset protections of a 100-year-old, employee-owned firm along with the fiduciary advice of an independent advisory relationship.
  • We offer comprehensive wealth management in three areas.

    • Wealth planning: retirement, estate, tax, insurance, education, charitable giving and succession planning, coordinated with your CPA and attorney.
    • Investment management: portfolio construction, asset-based lending, private equity and alternative investments, RSU and stock option planning, and annuities.
    • Advocacy and education: guidance through major life events, divorce, and estate settlement, plus financial education for the next generation.
  • Asset allocation is how your portfolio is divided among broad categories such as stocks, bonds, cash and alternatives. It is the main driver of long-term risk and return. Diversification spreads investments within and across those categories so no single holding, sector or region can derail your plan. Each strengthens the other.
  • Your time horizon is how long until you need to draw on a particular pool of assets. It shapes how much risk is appropriate. Money needed in two years should be invested very differently from wealth meant for your grandchildren. Most families have several time horizons, and we tailor each part of the portfolio to match.
  • Often, and on your terms. You can expect regular, scheduled reviews and prompt responses. We also reach out whenever markets, tax law or your circumstances call for a conversation, not only when markets are volatile. We're always available for important financial and life decisions.
  • Please reach out before or soon after any major life event. That includes marriage or divorce, a birth or adoption, a death in the family, an inheritance, buying or selling a business, a career change or retirement, buying real estate, health changes, or a significant gift or charitable intention. Planning ahead of these moments is where we add the most value.

Initial Meeting

Our first conversation is about learning whether we're the right fit for each other. We'll learn

  • Bring whatever helps us understand your full financial picture: recent investment and retirement account statements, your latest tax return, estate planning documents, insurance policies, details of any business interests or equity compensation, and a summary of debts. Most importantly, bring your questions and your priorities. If some documents aren't handy, that's fine. We'll guide you through what's helpful.
  • We'll start with you, not your portfolio. Expect questions such as: What does financial success mean to you and your family? What keeps you up at night? What has worked well with past advisors, and what hasn't? Which values do you hope to pass on? What major decisions or transitions are ahead? We'll also discuss your comfort with risk, income needs, tax situation and estate intentions.
  • ? If we both feel it's a strong fit, we'll gather your information and build a customized plan, which we'll present in a dedicated follow-up meeting. Once you're comfortable with the recommendations, we'll handle the onboarding details and coordinate with your CPA and attorney. From there, we'll stay in step with you for years to come.

Let's Talk.
Take the First Step.

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