Choosing a wealth management firm is not simply a matter of comparing investment returns. The right advisor should help coordinate the decisions that affect your family, business, retirement income, taxes, insurance, estate, and charitable goals.
That broader view is one reason firms such as https://soltisadvisors.com/ appeal to individuals and business owners who want more than portfolio management. Soltis Investment Advisors describes its work as a combination of financial planning, investment management, tax planning, risk management, estate planning, and charitable giving.
Start With the Scope of Advice
Some advisors focus mainly on selecting investments. That may be sufficient for a straightforward portfolio, but it can leave important decisions disconnected.
A business owner approaching a company sale, for example, may need help evaluating cash flow, capital gains, insurance coverage, retirement income, and the transfer of wealth to family members. A recently retired couple may need a coordinated strategy for IRA distributions, Roth conversions, charitable donations, and long-term care risks.
A prospective client should ask:
- Does the firm provide a written financial plan?
- Will it coordinate with an accountant or estate attorney?
- Can it advise on retirement income and tax-sensitive withdrawals?
- Does it work with business owners, retirement plans, or charitable organizations?
- Who will be responsible for reviewing the plan after the first meeting?
Soltis lists planning areas that include retirement and transition analysis, cash-flow modeling, education funding, stock option analysis, insurance optimization, and estate projections. Those services may be especially relevant when a client’s financial decisions extend beyond a traditional brokerage account.
Look for a Repeatable Investment Process
Investment advice should not begin with a favorite fund or a generic model portfolio. It should begin with the client’s objectives, timeline, liquidity needs, and tolerance for market losses.
Soltis says its investment process includes creating an Investment Policy Statement, recommending an asset allocation and investment managers, implementing the strategy, and monitoring the results. An Investment Policy Statement can give both parties a written reference point for expected returns, portfolio risk, liquidity needs, and the purpose of each account.
That documentation matters during volatile periods. If markets fall sharply in October or a major life event changes a family’s cash needs in January, the client and advisor can return to the original plan before making an emotional decision.
Examine Fees and Potential Conflicts
A firm’s fee structure affects the total cost of advice and can influence how recommendations are made. Ask whether the advisor is paid through asset-based fees, commissions, performance fees, fixed charges, or a combination of methods.
Soltis presents itself as fee-only and says it does not sell insurance or receive insurance commissions. That can reduce one potential conflict when an advisor evaluates coverage. However, clients should still request a complete explanation of management fees, custody charges, fund expenses, transaction costs, and any additional costs connected to alternative investments.
The practical question is not whether a fee exists. Professional advice requires time and expertise. The question is whether the services are clear enough to justify the cost and whether the client understands what is included.
Consider Communication and Local Access
A wealth management relationship may last for decades, so communication standards deserve as much attention as investment philosophy. Ask how often meetings occur, what triggers a portfolio review, who answers routine questions, and how quickly the firm responds during a market disruption.
Soltis is based in St. George, Utah, and lists offices across several states while describing its service area as nationwide. That combination may suit clients who value regional relationships but expect access to a broader advisory platform.
Before signing an agreement, request the firm’s regulatory documents, fee schedule, service description, and references to the people who would actually manage the relationship. A firm can have impressive resources, but the day-to-day advisor still determines how clearly those resources are applied to your situation.
The best choice is usually the firm that can explain its process in plain language, connect investing with real-life goals, and show exactly how it will remain accountable as those goals change.
