Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of the questions we get most often from prospective clients. For even more information, check out our Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary), Firm Brochure, Privacy Policy, and Sample Contracts here.

  • Yes.

    I am legally and ethically bound to act in the best interests of the client at all times when providing financial advice and financial planning.

    I'm not a fan of the "F" word because it has become a marketing buzzword that is thrown around by many in the industry. To me, acting in the client's best interest all the time should be table stakes. Unfortunately, it isn't, and many who claim to be fiduciaries aren't required to act as such at all times.

  • We are only paid by our clients.

    We don’t receive commissions or kickbacks from anyone. Oakleigh is completely independent, which means we don’t work for anyone else but you.

    Our fees are completely transparent and laid out in your client agreement, which must be signed before any work begins. There should never be any confusion over what you’re paying.

  • Fee-only means we’re only paid by our clients (no commissions).

    Flat-fee means that our price is fixed, not based on assets under management. The flat-fee is based only on the time, resources, and complexity needed to serve each client.

  • Your money is held by an independent custodia whose primary job is to safeguard client assets. As your investment advisor, we are only granted limited authority to make transactions on your behalf.

    You will have access to a client portal where you can see all of your holdings, review all activity, and download important documents.

    Your funds are held in accounts in your name and never comingled with our own assets or those of our other clients.

    We primarily work with Altruist Financial, LLC as our custodian.

  • Altruist does not charge account maintenance or custody fees for most standard accounts, and there are no commissions for trading U.S. stocks and ETFs. If you invest in certain mutual funds or request special services (such as wire transfers or paper statements), small fees may apply—these are always disclosed up front.

    Altruist earns revenue primarily through interest on uninvested cash balances and may receive a portion of internal fees from some mutual funds available on their platform.

    As your advisor, I do not receive any compensation from Altruist or its affiliates, and I am always happy to review any fee or charge with you in detail. For a full, up-to-date list of Altruist’s fees, you can visit altruist.com/pricing.

    If you ever have questions about your account or see a fee you don’t recognize, please reach out—I’m here to help ensure you always understand your costs.

  • In most cases, simply changing advisors or transferring your investment accounts from one custodian to another does not trigger taxes—your investments move “in kind,” so there’s no sale and no taxable event.

    Taxes are typically only incurred if you sell investments during the transfer, or if you move money out of a tax-advantaged account (like an IRA) as a withdrawal.

    Before any transfer, I’ll review your account types and holdings to ensure we avoid unnecessary taxes and help you make informed decisions. If you have specific concerns about your situation, please reach out and I’ll be happy to walk you through the process.n

  • No.

    We do consult on how much and what kind of insurance you need. We will review your existing policies and may recommend a change or a new policy.

    We will help you shop for and purchase a policy, but we never receive compensation for this.

  • I am a solo advisor, but I am backed by a robust network of industry specialists, technology solutions, and professional networks.

    I’m able to provide comprehensive wealth services to my clients by

    1. Collaborating with experts

    Staying on top of our rapidly evolving profession is a team effort. I work closely with industry specialists across the fields of investments, insurance, tax law, and estate planning to provide the highest quality advice that’s tailored to your needs.

    2. Leveraging technology

    Operating as a small or solo advisor would not be possible without the efficiencies that today’s financial technology landscape provides. Certain tasks like paperwork processing, plan generation, and investment transactions used to require a larger team to manage. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, I’m able to automate and streamline these critical processes to provide high-quality service at an affordable price.

    3. A network of colleagues

    As an active member of organizations like CFP®, XY Planning Network, and NAPFA, I am part of a large community of fellow advisors. Members are always ready to lend their expertise and share experiences, which allows me to pass on that wealth of knowledge to you.

  • Every small business needs a continuity plan, and we have one. Your financial well-being is of primary importance to us, and we have well-documented contingency plans in place.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    1. You always have full access to your plan and account information. The technology and systems we have implemented will provide uninterrupted access to your data and accounts. We help you design your plan and support you every step of the way, but you are the one who executes it.

    2. Day-to-day execution of your plan does not depend on me. Even if we manage your investments, Oakleigh never holds custody of your money. If I am deceased or incapacitated, you can contact either of our custodians directly to access or move your money.

    3. We have a documented business continuity and disaster recovery plan in place. We have designated another trusted advisor to step in promptly and assist with transitioning your service away from Oakleigh while upholding the same level of service and integrity.

    Rest assured that we have a plan in place to safeguard your assets and provide services should something happen to me.