How do your fees compare?

No, you do not need to commit before understanding how we can help. Our process is designed to give you a clear picture of our approach before making a decision. After our initial Discovery Meeting, we will share high-level insights and observations based on your financial situation, helping you see the potential value of working together. However, formal recommendations and a full financial plan are only provided after signing an engagement agreement. We believe in transparency and want you to feel confident in both our process and your decision to move forward.

Our mission is simple: to raise the bar in wealth management Flat-fee pricing – No percentage-based fees reducing your portfolio. Just transparent, fair pricing designed to provide cost-effective, goal-based financial planning. Fiduciary commitment – We always act in your best interest—no exceptions. Tax-smart strategies – Proactive, tax-efficient planning to help optimize your after-tax wealth. Exceptional client experience – Work directly with your CFP in a highly responsive, collaborative relationship. We make financial planning seamless with secure technology and access to expert guidance. Nationwide accessibility – Virtual-first services tailored to your convenience, with in-person meetings available as needed. Evidence-based investing – Decades of academic and practitioner research guide our approach. We focus on what matters: reducing fees, minimizing taxes, and encouraging disciplined investing for long-term financial health. When you work with us, you’ll experience a clear, strategic approach—where complexity is simplified, your goals take center stage, and you have a partner fully committed to your success.

The Discovery Meeting is all about understanding your goals, priorities, and financial concerns. We take a collaborative, client-centered approach—this is not a sales pitch, but an opportunity to explore what matters most to you. During this conversation, we’ll discuss your financial picture, values, and long-term aspirations. We’ll also gather key information to help shape the framework for your financial plan. At this stage, no formal recommendations are made—instead, we focus on understanding your needs so we can provide meaningful insights in the next step of the process.

Our process is designed to be thorough yet efficient. From the initial Discovery Meeting to the Plan Presentation & Commitment Meeting, the process typically takes 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly data is gathered. This timeline allows us to collect key information, analyze your financial picture, and provide high-level insights before you decide to move forward. Once you officially engage our services by signing an agreement, we’ll begin developing your full financial plan with tailored recommendations.

Not necessarily. While we often help clients consolidate and simplify accounts for better management, it isn’t a requirement. We’re here to provide advice in your best interest – whether that involves us managing your assets or having them remain held away. Our goal is to make your financial life easier, not more complicated.

We work with individuals and families who take a thoughtful, proactive approach to their finances. Most of our clients are high-income earners or retirees seeking to balance their priorities—enjoying life today, preparing for tomorrow, and leaving a meaningful legacy. Whether you're building wealth or navigating retirement, our transparent, flat-fee structure ensures you get expert advice with clarity, objectivity, and a focus on what truly matters to you.

Yes! While we are based in Charlotte, we work with clients virtually across the country. By leveraging technology, we can provide the same level of personalized services regardless of where you live.

Absolutely. Virtual meetings are our primary way or working with clients, offering flexibility and conveniences. Whether you’re at home, at the office, or traveling, we’re available to meet via secure video conferencing at a time that works for you.

Our process is designed to help you make an informed and confident decision about working with us. We aim to provide meaningful insights and clarity before asking for any commitment. If you decide not to move forward, that’s completely okay—this process is about finding the right fit. We only ask that you share any feedback or concerns so we can better understand your needs, whether for future conversations or simply to improve our process.

After onboarding, we typically meet 1-3 times per year, depending on your needs and preferences. These meetings will be a deep dive on key actions needed and will address updates, track progress towards goals, and make any necessary adjustments. Of course, you can reach out anytime between scheduled meetings if questions or changes come up.

Our ongoing relationship is built on collaboration and flexibility. We provide proactive advice, monitor your plan and investments, and stay available for any life changes or questions. You will receive regular updates, detailed reviews, and timely check-ins to ensure your strategy stays aligned with your goals.

We use a variety of communication methos to suit your preferences. This includes email, phone, secure messaging, and virtual or in some cases in person meetings. For regular updates, we provide detailed reports, an ongoing newsletter, as well as access to a client portal. Clear and timely communication is a top priority.

Yes, we actively collaborate with CPAs, estate planning attorneys, and other professionals to ensure your financial plan is well coordinated. We can share relevant insights, facilitate discussions, and ensure everyone is working toward your best interests.

We provide proactive tax planning as part of our services, helping you optimize tax strategy for the long term and in any given year. However, we do not prepare or file tax returns directly. We can work closely with your CPA or recommend a trusted professional to handle your filing.

Life happens, and we’re here to help you navigate it. If your financial situation changes – whether due to a new job, inheritance, or unexpected event – we’ll adjust your plan and strategy accordingly. Flexibility is a key part of our approach, ensuring your plan evolves with your life.

Absolutely. Including your adult children or aging parents in discussions can be key to ensuring continuity, communication, and success for long term goals. Whether it is involvement in legacy planning, understanding your financial strategy, or preparing for generational transitions, we will work together to create a comfortable, collaborative approach that works for everyone.

Absolutely. Virtual meetings are our primary way or working with clients, offering flexibility and conveniences. Whether you’re at home, at the office, or traveling, we’re available to meet via secure video conferencing at a time that works for you.

Yes, we are happy to meet in person. While most of our clients prefer the convenience of virtual meetings, we understand that some clients prefer meeting face-to-face — especially when first beginning to work with us. We can work with you to arrange a meeting at a time and location that is convenient.

Our minimum is $500,000, as outlined in our ADV. This ensures that our flat fee aligns with the value we deliver to each client. However, we do have the ability to waive this minimum on a case-by-case basis. If you're interested in working with us but don’t meet the minimum, please don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss how we may be able to assist you. You can contact us at info@altruistwm.com.

We specialize in helping clients transition portfolios with significant unrealized gains in a tax-efficient manner. Our approach includes: Careful Analysis: We review your current holdings to assess the cost basis, embedded gains, and potential tax implications. Transition Planning: We prioritize preserving your portfolio’s after-tax value by gradually aligning it with our evidence-based investment philosophy. Tax-Smart Strategies: Where possible, we use strategies like tax-loss harvesting, charitable giving, or gifting strategies to offset gains. Custom Solutions: If certain holdings align with your financial goals and our investment approach, we may recommend keeping them to avoid unnecessary tax events. Our goal is to make the transition as seamless and tax-efficient as possible while positioning your portfolio for long-term success. If you'd like to learn more about how we can help, please contact us at info@altruistwm.com.

The pre-client process is designed to make sure you are confident in making and informed decision about becoming a client. We aim to demonstrate clear value before asking for any commitment. If you decide you are not ready to move forward, we only ask that you provide feedback and specific concerns, so if we do reengage in the future we are able to answer them with clarity.

While technology alone cannot replace the value of an experienced advisor, Altruist Wealth Management leverages cutting-edge tools alongside personalized advice to deliver high-quality financial services at a lower cost. Many traditional full-service broker-dealer firms operate under legacy business models, where fees must cover multiple layers of management, overhead, and corporate profits. This structure limits their ability to offer more transparent, client-friendly pricing. As an independent fiduciary, Altruist Wealth Management was built on a modern business model designed for efficiency, transparency, and alignment with client goals.

For ongoing wealth management we begin by mutually determining if our services are a good fit for your needs. Together, we agree on a flat fee that ranges from $3,000 to $12,000 annually, based on the complexity of your financial situation. This fee is paid quarterly, beginning in the month our services start. Our flat fee covers comprehensive financial planning and investment management for an entire household, including children under 25 when applicable. There are no restrictions on the number of accounts or the size of portfolios we manage. For especially complex cases involving multiple legal entities—such as irrevocable trusts or family foundations—we may assess fees on an entity-by-entity basis to reflect the added complexity. All fees are discussed and agreed upon before engagement to ensure complete transparency.

No. Our flat fee covers the full scope of our financial planning and wealth management services. The only costs outside of our fees would be expenses on financial products you may use, like low cost factor or index ETFs and management solutions, or custodial fees, which we work to minimize and disclose in full detail.

Our flat fee includes comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services, including: · Investment Management and tax-efficient strategies · Retirement planning · Cashflow and budgeting · Tax planning and coordination with your CPA · Estate planning guidance and coordination with attorneys · Ongoing plan updates and support We take a holistic approach to ensure every aspect of your financial life is aligned with your goals.

Percentage-based AUM models can become expensive as your wealth grows and the impacts can compound on your wealth creation over time. For an illustrative example, a $2,000,000 portfolio being charged 1% means a $20,000 per year fee; our flat-fee approach would have a maximum cost of $12,000. It is often more cost -effective, especially for high income earners and retirees. Plus, it ensures our advice is focused on your best interest and aligned with the services and value we are delivering.

Yes, we offer standalone financial planning services and one-time projects for clients who aren’t seeking ongoing services. Whether you need help with a retirement plan, tax planning, or guidance on a major financial decision, we provide clear, actionable advice without requiring a long-term commitment. This option is ideal for “DIYers” who typically manage their own finances but want expert support during significant life events or transitions. You can always transition to ongoing planning if you decide you no longer want to manage everything yourself or if ensuring continuity with your spouse or partner becomes a priority.

No, you won’t. Our flat fee covers comprehensive support whenever you need guidance. Whether you need to check in for a quick question, schedule additional meetings, or review your plan, there are no extra charges. We’re here when you need us.

We emphasize that our services are not priced cheaply but fairly. Our flat fee reflects the time, expertise, and care we dedicate to our clients and is tied directly to the input and advice we provide—not the size of your portfolio. This focus on fairness ensures fees are aligned with value, rather than the maximum clients might be willing to pay. For high-net-worth (HNW) clients, traditional AUM fees often increase as markets grow over time, regardless of the advisor's level of input. In our opinion, this approach can be counterproductive to achieving client goals. At Altruist Wealth Management, we focus on serving a limited number of clients to ensure personalized attention, high-quality outcomes, and excellent service. Through our experience, expertise, and established partnerships with leading technology providers, asset managers, and specialized professionals, we deliver wealth management services that aim to set a higher standard in the industry.

Yes, investment management is included. We design, implement, and manage a diversified, tax efficient portfolio tailored to your plan. Our approach focuses on evidence-based strategies, keeping costs low, and minimizing unnecessary taxes.

If your advisor works with a broker-dealer, the short answer is likely no. This is not their fault—most of the wealth management industry operates under the broker-dealer model. They often have employee advisors or franchisees who share revenue from client fees with the parent company. These firms typically have structured policies and fee models that leave little room for adopting alternative approaches like ours. If your advisor is an independent RIA, the answer is maybe. Independent RIAs have the flexibility to adopt alternative fee models, including flat fees. However, the traditional percent-of-AUM system is widely used across the industry, as many firms have built their businesses around it. For most advisors, transitioning to a flat-fee structure would significantly impact how they manage operations and compensation. At Altruist Wealth Management, we built our firm from the ground up with a flat-fee structure to ensure transparency, fairness, and alignment with our clients’ long-term goals.

While investment management is a core component, we go far beyond that. At the end of the day, investments are mean to support the plan. Our comprehensive financial planning includes, but is not limited to: · Tax planning and proactive strategies. · Retirement income planning · Cashflow and savings strategies · Estate planning coordination · Insurance reviews (without selling products) · Goal tracking and plan updates We believe true financial planning addresses multiple aspects of your life, —not just your investments.

Yes, for clients that want to align their investment to reflect their values we have ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment models that aim to maintain diversification and long-term return potential. We can discuss your preferences and incorporate ESG options that meet your desired outcomes.

Yes, we specialize in helping clients navigate the complexities of employee stock awards, including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs). Our approach focuses on creating a strategy that aligns your stock awards with your broader financial goals, while minimizing taxes and managing risks associated with concentrated positions. Whether you’re planning to exercise options, sell shares, or integrate stock awards into your long-term financial plan, we provide personalized, evidence-based advice to help you make informed decisions.

As of 2025, we have no current plans to adjust our flat fee. Our pricing is designed to provide transparency and consistency, ensuring you know exactly what you're paying for our services. While we periodically review our fees to ensure they reflect the value we provide, any changes would be communicated well in advance. Our goal is to deliver exceptional value while keeping your best interests at the forefront.

We help you create a sustainable retirement income plan by balancing your spending goals, legacy goals, investments strategy, and tax planning. This includes but is not limited to: · Identifying optimal withdrawal strategies across accounts (e.g. taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth) · Planning for Social Security timing and optimization · Evaluating income impact on tax brackets and IRMAA thresholds. · Model cashflow and income streams for maintaining standard of living or other major expenses The goal is to ensure you can enjoy your retirement with confidence.

We take a proactive approach to RMDs, helping you prepare well before RMD age. This includes but is not limited to: · Strategically managing withdrawals to avoid unnecessary taxes · Consideration of Roth conversions to lower future RMDs · Coordinating RMDs with other incomes sources to asses tax impact and manage IRMAA thresholds · Evaluate qualified charitable distributions and donor advise fund usage If you are already taking RMDs, we’ll work with you to ensure compliance and identify ways to optimize your tax situation each year.

It depends on your specific circumstances, but Roth conversions can be a powerful tool for managing long-term taxes. We’ll analyze factors like your current and future tax brackets, income needs, and estate planning goals to determine whether a conversion makes sense, and if so, how to best implement a conversion strategy. Our goal is to help you keep more of your money while ensuring your financial plan stays on track.

Rather than focusing on the fear of running out of money or limiting your lifestyle, we emphasize aligning your spending with your goals and building a plan that balances lifestyle, legacy, and security. This includes but is not limited to: · Using data-driven projections to assess sustainability of your plan · Implementing flexible spending strategies to adapt to life changes and market environments · Prioritizing low-cost diversified investments · Assessing and helping prioritizes major expenses and other potential tradeoffs between lifestyle and legacy Our focus is helping you achiever your ideal retirement lifestyle without regrets while maintaining vigilance around the unexpected and being realistic about evaluating tradeoffs.

Yes, tax planning is a core part of our comprehensive planning approach. We help you reduce your tax liability by: · Optimizing withdrawal form taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts · Implementing tax-loss harvesting when applicable · Strategically managing capital gains and asset location · Evaluating opportunities for Roth conversions While we don’t prepare tax returns and are not CPAs, we work proactively to integrate tax efficiency into your financial plan.

Absolutely. We collaborate with CPAs to ensure your financial and tax strategies are aligned. Whether it’s sharing insights, coordinating on Roth conversation, or planning around RMDs, communication with your CPA ensures every piece of your financial picture works together seamlessly.

Tax preparation is the process of filing your annual tax return, ensuring compliance with current tax laws, typically handled by a CPA or tax professional. Tax advice involves the interpretation of tax laws and specific guidance on how they apply to your situation. Tax planning, on the other hand, is a forward-looking exercise that considers how your financial decisions can help minimize taxes over time. As an RIA, we provide tax planning as part of your financial strategy but do not offer tax advice or prepare tax returns. For specific advice and tax filings, we collaborate with your CPA or tax professional to ensure your financial and tax strategies are fully aligned.

We don’t’ draft legal documents, but we do provide estate planning guidance and have a trusted estate specialist to ensure thorough evaluation of strategies. This includes helping you identify goals, organizing your financial make up, and coordinating with your estate attorney to ensure your plan reflects your wishes. We’ll also review existing documents to ensure they are up to date and aligned with your financial plan.

Yes. If you don’t already have an attorney, we can recommend experienced estate planning professionals who can assist with your needs. We’ll help facilitate the process to ensure your legal documents and financial strategies work together. We also have a trusted estate specialist, but there is no obligation to utilize them for drafting your documents and we share no referral incentives. They are there to strictly provide expert advice when needed as part of our services.

Minimizing estate taxes starts with proactive planning. We help by: · Exploring gifting strategies to transfer wealth efficiently during your lifetime. · Utilizing trust to shield assets and reduce taxable estate · Coordinating beneficiary designation and account titling · Review state and federal estate tax thresholds to optimize your plan Our goal is to preserve as much of your legacy as possible while ensuring your wishes are fulfilled.

Evidence-based investing is grounded in academic and practitioner research rather than speculation or trend chasing. It involves using proven principles, such as diversification, cost control, and disciplined rebalancing, to build portfolio designed to achieve long-term goals. This approach focuses on what we can control – like taxes and costs – rather than attempting to predict the future. The goal is to have a high probability of success and minimize extreme outcomes that can derail your plan.

Disciplined investing means sticking to a well-thought-out strategy, even during periods of market volatility because the plan is designed to account for both good and bad times to meet your goals with a high probability of success. Emotional decisions - like trying to time the market or reacting to short-term news - can derail financial goals if they go the wrong way. We focus on creating a plan based on you needs and following through in a manner that best suits your goals and risk tolerance. Investing and speculating are two different endeavors, we have expertise in investing. While speculation can be part of an overall strategy, it should only be done with funds that are not critical to achieving your long-term goals.

No, we do not time the market or pick individual stocks. Research shows that trying to outguess the market consistently over time often leads to underperformance. Instead, we build broadly diversified portfolios that capture market returns while minimizing costs and risks. Our goal is to maximize your outcomes methodically, not chase speculative wins.

Diversification means spreading your investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographies and investment premiums. It is a way to reduce risk by not being overly reliant on any single investment across various market environments. While diversification won’t eliminate risk, it helps manage it by creating a smoother path to achieving your goals and reducing the impact of any one investment’s poor performance. As the saying goes, "concentration can make you rich, but diversification can keep your rich."

Factor-based investing involves targeting specific characteristics, or “factors” that have been shown to drive expected returns over time. By tilting portfolio toward these factors, we aim to enhance returns in a systematic fashion while maintaining broad diversification and managing costs. There are a plethora of factors to consider, but we focus on ones that are backed by sound theory, empirical data, cost effectiveness, and have a high probability to persist moving forward.

Yes, for clients that want to align their investment to reflect their values we have ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment models that aim to maintain diversification and long-term return potential. We can discuss your preferences and incorporate ESG options that meet your desired outcomes.

We prioritize strategies to help you keep more of what you earn from taxes. This includes but isn’t limited to: · Tax-loss harvesting when applicable · Thoughtful using tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs, Roth IRAs, and HAS inline with your situation. · Strategically placing assets in taxable or tax-deferred accounts (asset location) · Minimizing unnecessary turnover in your portfolio · Being aware of tax implications when rebalancing portfolio Decisions are made with your tax situation in mind, ensuring your investments are working efficiently.

Managing risk starts with understanding your unique goals, time horizons, risk tolerances, and risk capacities to invest in a manner that accomplishes your goals. While investing, like anything in life, comes with uncertainty and risks, we thoughtfully diversify, rebalance, and stress test portfolios to understand how various market conditions can impact your plan and what considerations must be made. Importantly, we also focus on behavioral risk – helping you stay disciplined and avoid emotional decision that can harm long-term outcomes.

Simply put, we eat our own cooking. The same evidence-based strategies and approaches we recommend to clients guide our personal investments. However, just like our clients, we tailor portfolios to individual circumstances such as goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. While specific investment may differ, the core principles – like diversification, disciplined rebalancing, and focus on long-term results are the same and often use the same underlying strategies. This alignment underscores our belief in the strategies we recommend, ensuring that our advice is not only impartial but also rooted in how we apply it to our own financial future.

Our investment philosophy prioritizes strategies that are low-cost, tax-efficient, broadly diversified, and supported by evidence. Alternative investments often fail to meet these criteria. Many are expensive, tax-inefficient, and illiquid, and they frequently underperform public markets when accounting for fees and taxes. When we consider adding them, it is typically for pure diversification purposes rather than pursuing higher returns. That said, we recognize that some investors may value or already hold allocations to alternative investments. While they are not a common recommendation, we are happy to work with clients who prefer to maintain these positions or have existing limited partner investments. In such cases, we provide unbiased guidance to help clients navigate their options and optimize their portfolios. Unlike many advisors, we do not charge placement fees or receive trailing commissions, ensuring our recommendations are free of conflicts of interest. This approach allows us to remain aligned with your best interests, whether you're pursuing traditional investments or exploring alternative strategies.

We use advanced financial planning tools, including Right Capital and inhouse applications, to crate and track your personalized plan. These tools allow us to model different scenarios, visualize your progress, and adjust your strategy as your goals and life evolves. Every aspect is designed to provide clarity and confidence in your financial future.

Your financial plan is securely accessible online through our client portal. You can log in at any time to view your plan, tack updates, and review recommendations. This ensures you always have access to your most up-to-date financial information.

Yes. Through our client portal you can view your investments accounts in real time. This includes performance summaries, asset allocation, and progress towards your goals. We believe in full transparency, so you’re always informed about how your investments are working for you.

Absolutely. Our client portal is mobile-friendly, and many of the tools we use are accessible via smart phone or tablet. This allows you to view your financial plan, investments, and communicate with us wherever you are.

We work with vetted and trusted custodians to ensure your assets are securely held. These custodians provide industry-leading technology, reliable service, and robust security measures for your accounts. Our primary custodian is Altruist, an established independent platform that provides secure, innovative technology for managing your investments. While the name is similar, Altruist Wealth Management and Altruist are not affiliated other than our use of their custodial platform. We also work with Charles Schwab, a highly recognized custodian known for its robust security and reliable service. Both custodians ensure your assets are securely held and easily accessible.

Yes, we are fiduciaries. This means we are legally and ethically obligated to always act in your best interest. Our recommendations are based solely on what’s best for you, with no hidden agendas.

Our mission is simple: to raise the bar in wealth management Flat-fee pricing – No percentage-based fees reducing your portfolio. Just transparent, fair pricing designed to provide cost-effective, goal-based financial planning. Fiduciary commitment – We always act in your best interest—no exceptions. Tax-smart strategies – Proactive, tax-efficient planning to help optimize your after-tax wealth. Exceptional client experience – Work directly with your CFP in a highly responsive, collaborative relationship. We make financial planning seamless with secure technology and access to expert guidance. Nationwide accessibility – Virtual-first services tailored to your convenience, with in-person meetings available as needed. Evidence-based investing – Decades of academic and practitioner research guide our approach. We focus on what matters: reducing fees, minimizing taxes, and encouraging disciplined investing for long-term financial health. When you work with us, you’ll experience a clear, strategic approach—where complexity is simplified, your goals take center stage, and you have a partner fully committed to your success.

Unlike many traditional advisors who charge fees as a percentage of your assets or rely on commissions, we operate on a flat-fee, fee-only model. This ensures our advice is transparent, reduces conflicts of interest, and is focused entirely on your goals – not on how much you invest with or or what products you buy.

No, we do note accepts commissions. As a fee-only firm, we are compensated solely by the flat fee you pay us. This means we don’t receive any kickbacks, commissions, or other incentives from financial product providers or companies. Our advice is fully aligned with your best interests.

Your assets are securely held by a trusted custodian, primarily Altruist or Charles Schwab. While the name “Altruist” is similar to our firm’s name, it is an entirely separate, independent company. These custodians provide state-of-the-art technology and robust safeguards to protect your investments. You always retain full ownership and access to your accounts, ensuring your assets are both secure and accessible.

No, we are not affiliated with any financial products, companies, or proprietary investments. This independence ensures that your recommendations are unbiased and centered on your goals. We do have vetted relationships with organizations like Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard who align with our investment philosophy to deliver high quality, cost efficient, and evidence-based investment solutions. These partnerships are based on rigorous due diligence – not financial incentives or sales quotes. We do not utilize these partners exclusively and maintain full independence in investment selection for our clients.