Business Description
My primary business model is education. Contrary to public perception, financial planning is considerably more complicated than commonly assumed. My goal is to help bring you the information you need in order to make an informed decision about financial matters. I am a teacher first and foremost. I operate as your research assistant to gather the esoteric information that may make all the difference to you. Further, I have a team of advisors (legal, tax, accounting, etc.) when you need them or I can fold myself seamlessly into your present team. Though I work with many ultra-high net worth clients, my primary requirement of you the client ... is that you are serious and determined to control your future. My primary business focuses on Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Philanthropic Planning. If you are in need of other areas, others on my team can accomodate your needs. Finally, my practice is rated in the top 1/10th of the top 1% of financial planners nationwide (in accordance with MDRT statistical analysis). If you expect the best, then we are clearly it!
General Information Gender:    Male CRD#:    4693031 States Licensed in:    TX States Willing to do Business in:    TX Years of Experience in Financial Services:    6 Number of Years with Current Firm:    4 Work Experience:    I am an independent financial adviser. This means I work on your behalf. If you have need of a financial product, I am not tied to any particular company. I offer products and services from multiple companies ... though I only deal with the best companies. I believe in the best and own it myself. My primary focus is on three areas of financial planning: Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Philanthropic Planning. I often bring a team of professionals to bear, especially on larger and more complicated cases. I work with the following types of clients:    Businesses, Non-Profit Organizations, Individual Investors
Education Academic Background   Bachelor of Arts degree - St. Martin's. Graduated summa cum laude.
Services Investment Types:    Insurance, Bonds, Annuities, Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Alternative Investments, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)
Qualifications & Memberships Securities Licenses:    Series 63, Series 6, Series 65 Insurance and Annuity Licenses:    Annuity, Variable Annuity, Long Term Care, Variable Life, Disability, Life, Health Financial Organization Memberships:    Million Dollar Roundtable, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Financial Planning Association (FPA) Non-Financial Organization Memberships:    Boy Scouts of America, Saint John's Lutheran Church Board
Firm Information Number of Advisors in Office:    10 - 99 employees I work with clients as part of a team:    Yes Assets Managed by Advisor:    $200,000,000
Compliance Registered Investment Advisor:    Yes Registered Representative:    Yes Investment Advisor Representative:    Yes I am an acknowledged fiduciary:    Yes Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:    I have a clean record Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:    I have a clean record
Compensation & Fees I am a fee-based financial professional:    Yes Minimum Portfolio Size for New Managed Accounts:    $50,000 Compensation Methods:    Based on Assets, Commissions, Hourly, Flat Fee Additional Details on Charges:    All charges are addressed prior to the start of work. If we overestimate the charges, the difference is returned to you. If we underestimate ... that is on us. There will be no surprises.
Prepared By:	Michael Shipman

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	What is your approach to financial planning?

Q.	What services do you offer?

Q.	Will you be the only person working with me?

Q.	How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?

Q.	If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?

Q.	Do you offer any guaranteed results?

Q.	How much risk should I be willing to take?

Q.	Have you ever been charged with any breaches?

Q.	What services do you provide? What are your specialties?

Q.	What financial institution(s) do you represent?

Q.	Do you provide a free initial consultation?

Q.	Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?

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Q.	What is your approach to financial planning?
All financial planning should be based on backwards planning. That said, we take a very educational approach to our planning process. There are many different roads leading to the same destination. Likewise for financial planning. There are many different strategies and products that may be used ... you should understand the pro's and con's so you can make an informed decision.

Q.	What services do you offer?
I primarily offer comprehensive financial planning services. These can include Investment Planning and Management, Retirement Planning, Insurance Planning, Estate Planning, and Philanthropic Planning. We also have evolved a business suite that is, quite simply, amazing.

Q.	Will you be the only person working with me?
I am your primary point of contact. That said, I am NOT an expert at everything. You should not be surprised, depending on the complexity of your situation, to be working with others throughout the process. That said, I am ALWAYS your primary POC and you will have my personal cell phone and not my office number during normal business hours.

Q.	How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?
This is far too complicated a question to answer because every situation is different. That said, we cover this all up front with our clients and there are no surprises. Further, we do not charge for our introductory meetings where we are getting to know you and for you to know us.

Q.	If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something?
We retain no discretion on any accounts, period. You MUST give your permission for any transaction PRIOR to its conduct.

Q.	Do you offer any guaranteed results?
Yes, we can offer you guaranteed results. That said, you should understand that "guarantees" usually carry lots of lawyer-inspired small print. This is where your education is paramount.

Q.	How much risk should I be willing to take?
This is an amazingly stupid question ... so why am I addressing it? Simply, it is your responsibility to identify your risk tolerance. I have several methodologies to help you understand risk management and to educate you on the dangers of too much; and yes, too little risk. Once you understand the process, it is pretty transparent.

Q.	Have you ever been charged with any breaches?
Nope.

Q.	What services do you provide? What are your specialties?
Retirement, Estate, Philanthropic, and Business Succession.

Q.	What financial institution(s) do you represent?
I am independent and choose my financial institution affiliation based on client needs and my faith in those institutions.

Q.	Do you provide a free initial consultation?
Of course.

Q.	Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?
Well, let's put it this way. You should choose an adviser who is accomplished and successful. One who has a strong team. One who is educationally based. One who gets your plan implemented! This is my firm. That said, if you go with someone else, they should meet these very minimal requirements.