Frequently asked questions about Intercoastal Wealth Planning: how the fiduciary standard works, how we're paid, what we cover, and how to get started.
A fiduciary financial advisor is legally required to act in your best interest at all times, on every recommendation. The fiduciary standard is higher than the suitability standard that applies to many broker-dealer reps. Our CFP is held to the fiduciary standard.
Fee-based. Most of our compensation comes from advisory fees, fully disclosed up front. Where commissions apply (insurance, annuities, certain products), we disclose those too. The distinction between fee-only and fee-based matters when you're picking an advisor, so we put it up front.
We work mostly with families and individuals at household incomes of $250,000 or above, plus business owners, professional women, widows, divorcees, and inheritors at similar wealth tiers.
Boca Raton and Plantation, Florida. The Boca office serves Palm Beach County and surrounding areas. The Plantation office serves Broward County. Both are independent fiduciary practices under Intercoastal Wealth Planning.
Yes. We're licensed in all 50 states. Most non-Florida client relationships run virtually after the first one or two in-person meetings.
Full financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, business succession and exit planning, plus specialty work in IRA rollovers, Roth conversions, Social Security optimization, 529 plans, insurance planning, financial coaching, charitable giving, and trust planning.
Most ongoing advisory relationships are billed as a percentage of assets under management, with the rate scaling down as assets grow. Some firms also offer flat-fee or hourly arrangements. The right answer depends on the size and scope of the plan. We disclose the full fee schedule before any engagement.
An IRA rollover transfers money from a previous employer retirement plan (401(k), 403(b), or similar) into an IRA. Done as a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, it isn't a taxable event. Read more about IRA rollovers.
A Roth conversion moves money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA, paying income tax in the year of the conversion. The benefits: tax-free growth and withdrawals, no RMDs at age 73, tax-free inheritance for beneficiaries. Read more about Roth conversions.
Depends on your health, your spouse's benefit, your other income, and your tax situation. For most filers in good health with other income to bridge the gap, delaying to 70 maximizes lifetime expected benefits. We model the math individually. Read more about Social Security optimization.
No. We aren't estate attorneys. We coordinate with your estate attorney on the documents and handle the financial side: beneficiary audits, account titling, retirement account inheritance planning, and ongoing review. Read more about estate planning.
Sometimes, when they fit a client's plan. We earn a commission in those cases and disclose it up front. Most of the time the right answer isn't an annuity, and we say so. Read more about insurance planning.
Start with a no-cost consultation. We'll talk about where you are, what you're working through, and whether we're a good fit. Schedule via the form on this site, or call 954-809-3553.
The first meeting is a conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll talk about where you are, what you're working through, and whether Intercoastal is the right fit. In person in Boca Raton or Plantation, or by video from anywhere.