Raise your bar – you deserve the best Expect it all here

We begin with the creation of a customized investment policy statement (IPS). This is our client’s blueprint for his or her investment strategy and program. The IPS covers, but is not limited to: asset allocation parameters, objectives, expected returns, time horizon, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, any regulatory requirements, manager screening, review and monitoring. The investment policy statement is written and signed to help you, us, heirs and affected parties understand your investment goals.

Once the investment policy statement is established, asset allocation is implemented based on these previously discussed areas, which are again reviewed and continuously monitored:

• Management of individual securities including but not limited to: stocks, bonds, REITS, cash, etc…
• Selection process of money managers as needed and asset classes to provide diversification in the portfolio and to compliment individual security holdings, as appropriate.
• Cash flow strategies utilizing fixed and equity income.
• Portfolio concentrations with diversification and risk mitigation strategies which include: equity collars, accredited investor exchange funds, hedging techniques, variable prepaid forwards, use of charitable trusts/life insurance, etc.
• Buffetology: Thorough discussion of the strategies, principles and values of famed investor Warren Buffet and his mentor, Benjamin Graham.
• Value-based versus growth-based investing.
• Strategic allocation of portfolio with tactical adjustments and/or rebalancing.
• Diversification of various traditional asset classes and securities.
• Alternative investments for increasing portfolio diversification.*
• Monte Carlo simulation runs for understanding the probability of deviations of a portfolio’s expected returns.
• Tax efficiency to properly locate assets in the most optimal tax–advantaged manner.
• Other portfolio considerations based on clients’ situations.

Different asset allocation strategies produce different expected returns and risk levels. Our objective is to help you select and manage your asset allocation and portfolio designed to generate the highest possible returns given the risk level you are comfortable with.

Selection of appropriate securities in asset classes based on your personal situation may include: individual equity and fixed income securities, open– or closed–end mutual funds, exchange–traded funds, alternative investments*, real estate investment trust, insurance products and structured investments.

*Alternative investments involve specific risks that may be greater than those associated with traditional investments and may be offered only to clients who meet specific suitability requirements. Alternative investments can include: private equity, venture capital, long-short funds, market-neutral funds, managed futures, hedge funds and other nontraditional investments and strategies. Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Rebalancing a non-retirement account could be a taxable event that may increase your tax liability.

Financial planning is the process of working to achieve one’s life goals through the appropriate management of one’s finances. To develop optimal solutions for each client, we begin with an in-depth analysis of your current situation. Understanding your goals and objectives – and identifying any special concerns – is paramount to offering the appropriate financial advice and designing a suitable financial plan.

The financial planning focus for our clients is also highly specialized in the areas as described below, of which high net worth individuals and their families generally are most concerned with.

The U.S. federal tax system is among the most complex and sophisticated tax programs in the world today. Richard helps clients create tax-efficient plans by analyzing their personal tax returns for investment tax efficiency and tax mitigation strategies in collaboration with their tax advisors.

Raymond James financial advisors do not provide tax advice. You should contact your tax advisor concerning your particular situation. Investing always involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

The primary factor in estate planning is what the clients’ goals are in the distribution of their wealth. Complex and technical rules affect estate planning choices including gift and estate taxes, legal costs, probate, insurance, forms of ownership, etc.

Richard helps clients understand the fundamentals of estate planning, including how different types of trusts function and their purposes. This helps educate clients in their decision-making processes, in review of their estate plans and for meetings with their attorneys. 

Often clients or family members are uncomfortable in discussing how heirs will manage inherited wealth in the future. At your request, we will set meetings with Richard for very general or technical discussions with family to discuss the heir’s potential inherited wealth and how he or she will handle the management thereof.  Many heirs not used to managing large sums of money have difficulty in dealing with the life choices that money brings. These proactive intergenerational meetings can make a difference in the mental preparedness of heirs for sudden wealth, or in the overall estate planning of the client. Again, collaboration with your legal counsel is vital. We will coordinate and collaborate as needed to integrate the estate issues that arise from the financial planning process.

Please note, changes in tax and estate planning laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person’s situation. While we are familiar with the tax and estate planning provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional

Financial planning encompasses all personal and financial situations of the client to the extent to which they can be foreseen. Financial goals of the affluent commonly include: long-term independence, enjoying life, leaving a legacy, preserving wealth, supporting favorite causes and preserving the values of family and community. It is often very difficult for a client to determine how much to leave or gift to charitable organizations. Concern of how much to give versus how much to leave heirs can be a dilemma for many people.

Richard guides philanthropic clients through difficult choices by helping to calculate the family’s future financial needs and explaining and discussing the various complex charitable vehicles available in a simple and understandable way. Charitable planned giving vehicles can include a family foundation, charitable remainder and lead trusts, donor advised funds, pooled income funds, charitable annuities or simply outright gifts.

Tax law includes major tax incentives for those who decide to leave money to charity. In addition, the building of family values and virtues through one’s legacy can help build integrity for children and future generations.