FAQ

The most accurate answer is: It depends. You and your family’s situation is different than that of your neighbors, your friends or your co-workers. Each situation is unique, and you have goals, priorities, and concerns that are specific to you. We learn about your goals and needs, what you have saved and continue to save, so we can ascertain what your plan needs to look like and how we can help get you there.

We understand that every situation is different, and in order to meet the needs of a diverse group of clients, we give you and your family different options. The majority of our clients choose to pay a percentage of the assets we manage. If it better fits your needs, we also offer the option to pay a commission on the transactions we make, or we can charge an annual fee for a predetermined set of services. In all cases, your options will be clearly defined to help you choose what fits you best.

No, we have clients throughout Texas and across the country. While it is preferable to meet in person, even some of our nearest clients are too busy for an appointment, so many of our discussions occur via phone, email, text, and Zoom.

We love to work with clients who value the advice and guidance we bring to the table. Typically, our clients are busy, active people that may have additional responsibilities for children or parents or are involved in the community. Sometimes, the complication is due to an unplanned or unexpected event, such as a job separation, divorce, or death.

Our clients know they have complex situations and understand the value of having a team of advisors on their side, supporting them through the ups and downs of everyday life and the challenging financial decisions that come with it.

As with any business or personal relationship, sometimes there just isn’t a good fit. Not everyone is looking for trusted financial advisors who can provide them with the financial life management experience. We probably aren’t a good fit if you aren’t looking for a diversified portfolio, just want a stockbroker, don’t want to take the time to go through the financial planning process, or aren’t open to hearing other ideas or options.

Yes, you can. Sometimes, if someone is just starting to invest, a low-cost index fund is appropriate to get started. However, there are costs and risks that are present in index funds of which many clients are unaware. Additionally, most of our clients have more complex needs, and the value we provide goes well beyond simple asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing.

We have team members of all different ages, levels of experience, and areas of expertise. This is one of the things we are most proud of and, we believe, sets us apart from many other financial advisors. We have advisors in the later years of their career, and some just starting out; advisors who have ‘been there and done that’, and advisors who are currently there and currently doing that. We have advisors who are older than you, who can speak from experience and help provide insight as to obstacles you might encounter, and advisors younger than you, who will be coming into the prime of their careers as you age and begin to need more advice and support.

There is no charge. The first meeting or call is simply a way for us to get to know each other. Are we a good fit? We want to have a good understanding of your situation and your goals. It is equally important for you to get an idea of who we are and the value we provide for our clients. If there is a mutual interest in moving forward, we will discuss the next steps and what those entail.

In order to get a good understanding of all your financial needs, it is our preference to review your financial statements (investments, retirement plans, insurance policies, tax returns, bank statements, trust documents and anything else that may be applicable to your financial life).

Sometimes our clients have significant assets that they need help with, and sometimes they are young professionals who have increasing incomes and are looking for guidance in building their portfolios. We believe there is no magic number that separates one from the other. That being said, Volition Advisory believes that Separately Managed Accounts and Private Investments serve a valuable purpose in growing and protecting a clients’ investment portfolio. Where appropriate, we want our clients to have an allocation to these asset classes which are usually only accessible by those with a million dollars or more in investible assets.

The first thing we look for is a good fit. Once we evaluate your individual circumstances, we can determine the best way to proceed. If there is not a good fit, we can refer you to someone who suits your needs.

We work diligently to align our clients’ wealth with their goals. Our job is more than picking a portfolio of diversified stocks and rebalancing it annually. Our team’s Client Experience, Planning, and Investment Processes drive us to make decisions based on each client’s goals, expectations, and concerns. We never make recommendations based on a short term view of your circumstance or the markets. We focus on the long term relationship and how to best position you for the future.

In addition, the right advisor will manage more than your money, they’ll help to manage your emotions. Everyone knows to buy low and sell high but research shows that most investors buy high and sell low. Why is that? Behavioral Finance shows that investors fall prey to many mistakes simply because of common errors in logic that our brains continue to make; such as overconfidence, familiarity, and mental accounting. These errors in judgement and many others are the cause of the poor performance of the average US investor compared to the US stock market, as measured by the S&P 500. The right financial advisor will provide value to you far exceeding any fees you pay to them.