Our Five Step Financial Planning Process
Wondering how we go about putting together a financial plan that fits your needs and life at Brian Stark Financial? Learn about our process below.
1. Discovery Meeting
The first step in our planning process is discussing your current financial position. This is essentially a data-gathering meeting to review your assets, liabilities, income, and goals. We will go over important information such as employee benefit booklets, retirement plan documents, wills, trusts, insurance policies, investment statements, brokerage house statements, and bank statements. These tangible bits of information help to paint a thorough picture of your current financial situation and ultimately allow our team to offer the highest quality advice.
We will need to answer questions such as:
What are your lifestyle goals?
How do you want to distribute your estate?
At what age do you want to retire?
What is your plan to pay for long-term care (if needed)?
How much income do you need or want during retirement?
There are also economic impact assumptions that factor into the process:
What is going to happen to interest rates?
Where is the economy headed?
How much inflation will occur?
What effect will future taxes have on your income?
Having a well-rounded discussion with our experienced financial advisors on these topics is crucial to help set expectations and build a realistic plan.
2. Plan Preparation
Once we have a clear picture of where you are and where you want to be, our team will begin preparing your personal financial plan. This process involves a synthesis of in-depth analysis and diagnostic work as well as written recommendations. Recommendations can vary from major strategy to minor tactical suggestions. They will, however, complement one another and work to achieve your long-term financial goals.
3. Plan Presentation
As soon as the recommendations surrounding your plan are formally in writing, we will schedule a time to present the initial portfolio to you. Rest assured, you will have plenty of time to read, study, and analyze our suggestions so you can jot down any questions you may have. We will reconvene at a later point to answer your questions, adjust accordingly, and clarify any outstanding details. As you agree to our proposal, we will prioritize the following stages into an Implementation Check List.
4. Plan Implementation
While the first three steps move rather quickly, step four, Plan Implementation, generally takes longer- typically around five to six months. During this time, we thoroughly review tax, retirement, and estate planning documents as well as insurance needs. We take pride in partnering with trusted attorneys and CPAs to assist in this phase and help fully complete the plan, as we do not offer legal or tax advice.
5. Financial Planning Process
The Financial Planning Process merely equates to the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of your financial portfolio. We believe that well-rounded working relationships require ongoing communication. As such, you can expect regular updates and consistent advice regarding your plan. We will meet two to three times a year to address tax planning, portfolio reviews, insurance updates, and more.
Along the way, our team will be here to answer questions and help guide you through any life events that may affect your financial future. Whether you are refinancing your mortgage, buying a car, or even funding your children’s or grandchildren’s education expenses, we are here to help. At Brian Stark Financial, we are dedicated to providing outstanding service and support for the lifetime of your investment journey.
Call Brian at (303) 907-2510 or book a complimentary consultation to discuss your financial plan today.