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    >      >     >     >   FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are your advisors fiduciaries?  What Does being a fiduciary mean to me?
    Yes, our advisors follow a fiduciary standard. Following a fiduciary standard means we have a duty of undivided loyalty to our clients and must deal fairly and honestly with them.
  • What makes Gentian different from other financial firms?
    We take a wholistic approach to wealth and retirement planning. We go beyond the numbers to explore strategy and purpose. We invest deeply into the client relationship so we can understand our clients 'true wealth elements' (the things they value more than money) and it is these values that guide our practice throughout the relationship. In addition, to further support our clients core values, we offer planning enhancment programs ('Live It'. and 'Give It.') which are designed to ensure the retired chapters of our clients lives are their most fullfilled years yet!
  • Who is Gentian’s ideal client?
    While some firms may enlist a minimum level of investment, our initial meetings are used to determine if we align in terms of mindset. The clients who gain the most from our partnership are open to sharing, receiving advice and sticking to a plan.
  • What can I expect if I decide to engage in a relationship with Gentian?
    As a client of Gentian you can expect to have support and guidance through every major transition in your life and all the times in between. We will work to uncover every opportunity that could improve your financial position and we will stay at the forefront of our field so you can have confidence in or ability to be proactive and steadfast in our recommendations. We are highly protective of our clients, serving them as we do members of our immediate family. In addition to our expert financial planning practice, we offer health and wellness programs, social engagements, educational webinars, charitable programs and more because to us, this goes beyond money; we viscerally care for our clients and we work every day to ensure they are aware.
  • How often do we meet and what can I expect for communication?
    Meeting frequency will depend on your unique situation and geographic location. Generally speaking, review meetings take place on an annual or semi-annual basis and can be hosted virtually or in person. In addition, we create mulitple opporutnities each month to connect outside of scheduled meetings. This includes but is not limited to: newsletters, forums, weekly updates, and bi-weekly webinars as well as holiday, seasonal, social, charitible and community events.
  • If I live in a different part of the country, can I still become a client?"
    Absolutely! Technology allows us to stay connected to our clients who we aren’t able to meet face-to-face.
  • Is there a fee for an initial meeting?
    No, there is no fee for the initial meeting or any meeting that takes place prior to us engaging as partners. It is vitally important to our team that we learn about you and your financial goals prior to engaging as partners. Sometimes this takes one in depth meeting, sometimes it takes more. We want to ensure all questions get addressed and that together, we agree a partnership would makes sense.
  • Are your services “fee-only” or “fee-based”?
    Our services are fee-based as we believe this offers a number of benefits to you and creates a true partnership. Because fee-based services rely on an on-going relationship our clients state they feel an elevated sense of transparency and a mutual motivation to achieve portfolio growth. We don’t just check and monitor your accounts, we dig deep…..achieving a level of guidance and navigation around complex financial situations that baseline levels of service don’t reach. Managed accounts are charged Advisory Fees in addition to internal fees of investment company products, and should be evaluated when determining the costs of a fee-based account. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule is available in the firms Form ADV (Part 2A) as well as the client agreement. Please ask your Advisor to provide.
  • Now that I’m retired, what do I need to be aware of?"
    Enter your answer here
  • When should my children or grandchildren come to see you?
    When they’re ready to start saving for retirement and looking at their comprehensive financial plan. We’ve built a team to help serve clients in all stages of life.
  • Does Gentian hold my money?
    No, Gentian Financial does not hold custody over client assets. We utilize Raymond James Financial Services as our custodian and Broker Dealer.
  • Does Gentian have an investment committee?
    Yes. Our investment committee meets quarterly to review the current investment environment and determine if any changes need to be made to our portfolios.
  • What is the difference between financial planning and investment planning?
    Financial Planning is the behavior which helps convert your dreams and goals into financial milestones and maps these goals against your current and future resources. Investment planning is part of your comprehensive financial plan but centers on the investing strategy which will help you meet your long and short term goals, such as retirement or buying a house. Having an investment plan will provide you with a sound strategy to follow and stick with, even when you see your investments fluctuate during a time of market volatility.
  • What can I do with my previous employer’s retirement plan?
    You have multiple options – you can leave it in the plan (if the plans allows), move it to another employer plan (if the new plan allows) or roll it over to an outside IRA. We’ll work with you to determine what option best fits your scenario.
  • When can I retire?
    Everyone’s financial situation and goals are different. That’s why we take a comprehensive financial planning approach to help ensure you’re on the right path to being able to retire when you’d like.
  • What is the difference between Financial Advisors, Wealth Managers and Retirement Planners?"
    The simplest answer here is that Financial Advisors assist in the accumulation stages of your wealth journey, whereas wealth managers and retirement planners possess highly specialized skills to help strategize and manage the complexities of distributing your assets during retirement.
  • How do I evaluate Retirement Planners?
    Very Carefully! You want to make sure you are finding a true partner who can guide you through the complexities of retirement planning. We view our relationships as lifelong and hope our clients do as well.
  • What does open architecture mean when you describe your portfolios?
    Open Architecture means we have access to a wide array of investment options and aren’t limited to just what our broker dealer would like us to “sell”.
  • Where should I invest? (401k, IRA, brokerage, etc.)"
    This will be based on your individual financial situation. We work with our clients to help maximize their retirement savings for the goals they have.
  • How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
    This will be based on your individual financial situation. We work with our clients to help maximize their retirement savings for the goals they have.
  • How much should I save for retirement?
    This will be based on your individual financial situation. We work with our clients to help maximize their retirement savings for the goals they have.
  • Do I need life, disability, or long-term care insurance?"
    The primary purpose of insurance is to protect against risk. Specifically, insurance should mitigate financial loss by meeting financial liabilities and needs in the event of an accident, disability, or death.
  • Do I currently have an estate tax liability?
    Most people, throughout their lives, accumulate a substantial amount of assets that they own. Upon their death, these assets change title and are passed on to their heirs. Based on current estate tax laws, this transfer of assets is considered a taxable transaction.
  • How much can I afford to invest?
    In today’s robust investment marketplace, you do not need to wait to accumulate a significant nest egg before you create an investment strategy. Investment alternatives are available in many vehicles such as employer-sponsored 401(k)s, IRAs, and online brokerage accounts.
  • What is a registered investment advisor (RIA)?
    A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a fiduciary who has a duty of undivided loyalty to his or her investment advisory clients and must deal fairly and honestly with them.
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