A - LPL is the largest independent broker/dealer in the United States. Founded in 1968, LPL provides support for more than 11,000 financial advisors from their corporate headquarters in Boston, San Diego and here in Charlotte.

A - Being independent allows us the freedom to recommend those investments and strategies that best suit your individual needs. Unlike many ‘captive’ firms, we don’t have production quotas to meet, nor do we have pressure to sell proprietary products. We can represent your best interests as opposed to the interests of the stockholders.

A - David has been a fully licensed investment advisors representative since 2004. He has FINRA Series 7 & 66 registrations as well as life & health, long term care and variable annuity insurance licenses in NC & SC. He has also achieved the prestigious designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®.

A - To give clients the maximum level of protection for their accounts, cash and securities held in LPL Financial accounts are protected up to $100 million.  LPL Financial’s SIPC membership provides account protection up to a maximum of $500,000, of which $100,000 may be in cash. 

Additionally, through Lloyds of London, LPL accounts have additional securities coverage of $99.5 million per account, subject to a $500 million aggregate firm limit.  The account protection applies when a SIPC firm fails financially and is unable to meet obligations to securities clients, but it does not protect against losses from the rise and fall in the market value of investments.

A - We do not charge a fee for our planning services. We prefer to use the initial consultation, information gathering and strategy presentation meetings to develop an effective working relationship. Compensation is only received when a client implements our recommendations. That way there is no financial commitment from you until you are totally comfortable with our work.

A - The financial services companies we broker our business through will pay a commission for business brought to them. There are industry standard commissions paid to all financial advisors and are always fully disclosed.

A - In the initial phase of the relationship there may be 3 or 4 meetings in the first month or so. Once the plan has been implemented we normally revert to a 6 monthly review cycle, although the exact frequency is variable. This is very similar to the relationship you may have with your dentist. Six monthly check ups with extra appointments for a financial tooth ache!

A - Our business model has capacity for only 100 clients or client families. This way we can provide the appropriate level of personal service for all our clients.

A - We generally do our best work with families generating an annual income of at least $100,000. Typically our clients are professional people or business owners who would rather spend their free time doing more enjoyable activities than figuring out their financial future. However, as you no doubt enjoy working with smart, ethical, and driven individuals ... so do we! We will always make time in our schedule to meet with someone who may be a good fit for our practice.

A - Most people are aware that physicians will rarely treat members of their own family due to the conflicts of emotion and clinical objectivity. In the same way, an individual investor cannot consistently make good decisions about his money due to emotions entering into the process. Our value is in having the ability to understand your objectives,  being aware of the emotions involved, but not allowing them to overshadow the decision making process.

A - We are not qualified to give advice in either area, but we are aware of the importance of blending taxes, estate planning and investments into one cohesive plan. Therefore we will work closely with your other financial professionals, or if you don’t have them already, we will help you ‘draft’ the best players for your team.

A - If you are at a point in life where you have this nagging sensation that you should be doing something more with your money. If you are avoiding making a decision around your money just because you are scared to get it wrong. If you are making a good income, but a lot of it is just falling through the cracks. When you are aware that you are spending time trying to educate yourself about investment products and all that’s happening is your getting more confused. These are just some of the triggers that indicate you need to speak with someone.

A - Find someone who is experienced in dealing with clients who are in a similar position to you. For example, you may not want to speak with an advisor who charges $200 per hour if all you need is help with your 401k allocations and somewhere to open an IRA. Likewise if you have complex estate planning and inheritance issues, or you are looking to set up an extensive benefits plan for your employees, do you really want to be dealing with a young, raw advisor?

Before you disclose any of your aspirations for your finances, interview the advisor and ask him or her to explain the process you will go through as well as how he is compensated. Once you have a level of comfort in the abilities of your potential advisor and you feel like you will be getting value for money, it is going to come down to a gut instinct. ‘Can this person improve my financial situation in a manner that is going to satisfy me?’

A - A good advisor will take note of specific information regarding a client’s current finances as well as their future financial goals. Using this information the advisor will create a thorough plan that identifies problems as well as offer remedies and solutions. Once all the options are discussed and understood, he or she will help the client make the best decision as to what needs to be implemented. From there regular review meetings will be scheduled where changes to the plan will be made as and when required.

A - Investment success needs to be defined in relation to the initial goal. For example if you need access to your money next year and your advisor was aware of this, but still recommended a risky stock portfolio, then you have a right to be unhappy. On the other hand, if you are many years away from retirement and prepared to accept ups and downs in the market, you should not have your entire portfolio in a money market account.

Do you understand why you own the investments that make up your portfolio? You should. Are your investment return expectations realistic? How have your investments done compared to their peers? This is how you view the success of your returns.

A - Most people find themselves in debt. Some forms of debt are good!! Mortgages for example are necessary if you want to own your home. However, you need to ask yourself if your debt is temporary or part of a never ending cycle. The best financial plans will allow you to invest for retirement at the same time as you are managing your debt responsibilities.

A - Virtually all investments contain some form of taxation at some point in the process. However, you can manage your current and future tax liabilities by using a well constructed portfolio of tax deferred (401k, annuity, IRA), tax preferred (Roth IRA, municipal bonds, universal life insurance) and taxed annually (brokerage account) investments. You can also use a number of estate planning techniques to minimize taxation. However, any of these strategies should be coordinated with a qualified tax accountant and an estate planning attorney.