^FAQ
Questions? We've Got Answers.

1. Are all meetings in person, or are there virtual options?

We offer in-person, phone, and online meetings. We work with clients from multiple states, where in-person meetings are not an option, so we are very comfortable with the virtual meeting format.

2. At what age should I start planning for retirement?

Financial health and physical health are very similar in that you can’t start too early. Early-in-life retirement planning often just looks like saving a portion of your income toward a retirement account. Later on, things like social security, health insurance, and cash flow from the portfolio become part of the conversation. It’s never too early or too late to get help in creating a financial plan.

3. Can’t I manage wealth on my own?

If you do not have an advisor, then you are managing your own wealth already. An advisor’s job is to provide an outside perspective and professional insight on complex topics that are not part of everyday life.

4. Do you offer a complimentary initial consultation?

Yes – we offer a one-hour complimentary consultation. From there, if you choose to move forward, we will discuss the appropriate service and the associated cost.

5. Do you offer estate planning?

We do not offer direct estate planning (i.e. draft documents), but we do provide guidance on how to approach passing on your wealth and what kind of documents you should have in place. We refer our clients to local estate planning attorneys for drafting and delivery of estate planning documents, and then work to implement the estate plan together with the client and attorney as appropriate.

6. How can I reduce taxes on my investments?

There are many ways to reduce taxation on investments. The most powerful way is to utilize tax-efficient accounts, like a Roth IRA or an HSA. Other methods are to utilize qualified charitable distributions, perform tax-loss harvesting, and structure payouts from accounts in a way that reduces lifetime taxation. Each individual will use a different combination of methods.

7. What are the main differentiators between Milestone Wealth Management and other financial advisors?

At Milestone Wealth Management, we see ourselves as stewards of our clients’ assets. We minimize conflicts of interest. We are truly independent – with no proprietary products or pressure from our broker-dealer to sell certain products. We put your interest where it belongs – first.

8. What do the three advisor relationships cost?

We offer three distinct services: Financial Planning and Consulting, Investment Management, and Brokerage (transactional). Includes cost: The Financial Planning and Consulting agreement has a flat fee, and the fee varies based on the complexity of the services provided.  Investment Management has an annual fee based on assets under management and charged quarterly in advance. The fee is on a declining scale based on AUM. Brokerage service fees are based on specific investment and insurance products. Commission/Fees paid from insurance or investment company.

9. What is wealth management?

Wealth management is the process of using your financial resources to improve your life. There are multiple facets to the process. These include investments, insurance, tax planning*, estate planning**, and cash flow planning. In each area, we work on making the best possible decisions to move you toward your goals.

10. Where are you located?

We have three offices in Michigan: St. Joseph, Portage, and Lowell. Please see our “Contact Us” page for details.

* In coordination with tax professional.

** In coordination with an attorney.