Our Process

As your financial professionals, we strive to provide personalized, goal-oriented financial planning programs that are designed with your needs, circumstances and aspirations in mind. By focusing on your goals and priorities, we'll create a plan together that can help you achieve your long-term financial objectives.

We have a 6 step process for our work. Our goal is to get as much information from you up front so we can accurately and effectively analyze your situation. We will come back to you with a personalized plan that you can understand.  We take pride on our transparency and meaningful communication to help ensure you are comfortable and informed throughout the process.

STEP 1

Establish Your Goals and Relationship with the Client

Set up the parameters of our relationship and how Stellar Financial Services works. This will include our fee structure. 

STEP 2

Gather Information and Listen

Family Information

This will start with one question, "What is important to you and your family".  

What are your short and long term goals for you and your family?

Are there any special needs or legacy issues?

Previous marriages or children from previous marriages?

Do you have any personal or family medical issues?

Financial Information

Review current investment situation

What is your income?

Do you own a business?

What is your risk tolerance?

What are your time horizons?

What charities do you support?

Are you using tax-advantaged products?

Review current insurance situation 

We evaluate your life, disability, and long term care insurance.  This will make sure you have the right amount and type of coverage.

We also review your employer provided health benefits.

A review of Medicare options will be beneficial for those 65 years and older.

Car/home owners insurance. (We work with professionals in those areas that are experts) 

Review Liabilities

Does it make sense to pay off certain liabilities or reliance?  We assist in those calculations.

Step 3

Evaluate Your Financial Status

Based on our analysis of the information gathered in Step 1 and Step 2, we evaluate your financial status to form a basis of our plan recommendations.

Step 4

Set and prioritize goals

We present the plan to our client to get feedback and approval to move forward with the implementation.

Step 5 

Implement the plan

Budgeting

Outline how much to save and invest. 

Included what tax-advantaged vehicles will be used.

Insurance

Update/revise/purchase to reduce risk

Estate Planning Strategies

Tax Planning 

Retirement Planning

Maximizing social security (when to start receiving benefits)

College Planning

Gifting- To children, during life, at death

Charities

Step 6

Monitor the plan

Set benchmarks

Constant review

Update the plan as information and goals change

Family situation

Health issue

Career/Business Changes

Market conditions