We’ve got answers to your retirement
QUESTIONS
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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We are a full-service wealth management firm. Sonas Financial provides comprehensive and actionable retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, and estate planning services.
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Our mission is simple: to raise the bar in wealth management
Flat-fee pricing – No percentage-based fees reducing your portfolio. Just transparent, fair pricing designed to provide cost-effective, goal-based financial planning.
Fiduciary commitment – We always act in your best interest—no exceptions.
Tax-smart strategies – Proactive, tax-efficient planning to help optimize your after-tax wealth.
Exceptional client experience – Work directly with the CFP & Lead Wealth Advisor in a highly responsive, collaborative relationship. No hand offs. We make financial planning seamless with secure technology and access to expert guidance.
Nationwide accessibility – Virtual-first services tailored to your convenience, with in-person meetings available as needed.
Evidence-based investing – Decades of academic and practitioner research guide our approach. We focus on what matters: reducing fees, minimizing taxes, and encouraging disciplined investing for long-term financial health.
When you work with us, you’ll experience a clear, strategic approach—where complexity is simplified, your goals take center stage, and you have a partner fully committed to your success.
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Just like you wouldn’t see a podiatrist for your heart issue, it’s important to find a financial advisor who specializes in helping people in your situation.
We do our best work with clients who are:
Retired,
Approaching retirement in a few years, or
Entrepreneurs
If you’re not in one of these groups, no worries! Feel free to reach out so we can understand more about your aspirations and get you in contact with another great advisor from our professional network.
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Why not charge 1% of assets under management (AUM) like everyone else?
Four words: Fair, Transparent, Predictable, and Accessible
Working with a flat-fee financial advisor reduces conflicts of interest and allows more of your money to compound for you, not against you. We believe it’s unfair to pay more simply because you’re worth more. Our fixed-dollar fees reflect our work, not your net worth.
We believe that determining a financial advisor’s fee based on a percentage of assets is not logical. A better approach is to determine the cost (in real dollars) based on the services provided and the complexity of the client’s situation – not portfolio size. Clients with larger account balances shouldn’t have to pay more simply because they have more. The flat-fee model also reduces some of the conflicts of interest embedded in legacy pricing models.
Flat-fee is often a more economical option over the long term because the cost for advisory services does not grow along with the portfolio size. However, just like any professional service, it is reasonable to expect our fee to rise over time as inflation and the costs of doing business increase.
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A fee-only financial advisor is compensated directly by their clients for financial advice and ongoing investment management. We do not receive commissions or kickbacks from financial products, which minimizes conflicts of interest and requires us to act as fiduciaries (i.e., we act in your best interest). This is the most transparent and objective compensation structure available.
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Short answer: YES
We only provide ongoing planning and investment management, where the mutual expectation is the relationship will last at least multiple years, if not throughout all of your retirement. We do not mange retirement plans such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457(b) plans. Those stay where they are and we advise on them as part of our planning together.
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Sorry, but we do not provide hourly services or other limited engagement services such as one-time financial plans. Additionally, we do not provide "advice only" services; i.e. ongoing financial and/or tax planning without also directly managing your investments.
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Whether you lack the time, training, or temperament, you need a financial advisor to stay accountable and be proactive. It’s easy to document your plan on paper, but if someone isn’t in your corner looking out for your financial well-being, it’s easy to get off track. It’s about creating a to-do list, getting it done, and then doing it again – life evolves, and so does your plan. Our goal is to give you confidence in your financial decisions and free up your time, enabling you to live a better, more confident life.
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Schedule an introductory meeting with us here. There is no charge or commitment to have an initial meeting – this is a chance for us to get to know each other. Financial planning involves a sense of vulnerability, and we want to make sure you’re comfortable with us and our approach. We’ll ask more about your finances, goals, and your feelings as it relates to money.
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It’s worth mentioning we’re considered “independent” – we don’t have any shareholders or private equity stakeholders. We’re not required, nor will we ever try to sell you insurance products or proprietary investment products. So how do we really differentiate ourselves? Clients want a relationship with someone they can trust as they embark on their financial journey, particularly as situations evolve and get more complex. Answers aren’t always black and white, and emotions can cloud your ability to achieve financial success. Having a partnership with a financial advisor who is relatable and simplifies the process is key. Our goal is to do more than manage your investments – we strive to deliver an advice-driven experience that you can count on.
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No and no. We do not have minimum investment requirements. You also don’t have to invest what you have with us. Do you want to spend your time sorting through the financial news and various investment formulas? Probably not. Most clients pair their financial planning with investment management to maximize the benefit of our relationship together. If you engage us for investment management (most of our clients do), we will get your portfolio on the right track by helping you invest each account, looking at your entire portfolio, focusing on asset allocation design, asset location design (there is a subtle, but meaningful difference), and cost reduction. We monitor and review your investments and accounts regularly and rebalance periodically. Basically, we will take the guess work out of investing for you and keep your investments focused on you and your goals.
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ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. Investments meeting ESG criteria are screened based on a company’s operations by analyzing socially conscious factors. As the demand for ESG investments becomes more mainstream, other concepts such as socially responsible investing (SRI), impact investing, and values-based investing are gaining popularity as well. While they are different in their approach, they all share a sustainability theme. If interested, we’re happy to have a more detailed conversation with you to determine if investing a portion or all of your portfolio into ESG investments is a good fit. By the way, we don’t charge anything extra for this. It is your choice.
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We chose Sonas not just for its meaning; happiness, prosperity, and good fortune; but for the mindset the name creates. It is a state of mind, an attitude… a better perspective towards your financial life.
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I respect and work to effectively serve all of my clients, whatever their needs and backgrounds. We strive to support people who have historically been underrepresented and underserved in and by financial services. That said, please reach out if you prefer to work with a planner who is a member of a particular group. I would be glad to connect you.
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Not a problem at all. We have served clients nation-wide. We utilize the latest technology enabling us to work with clients all over the country. We can meet by phone, virtually, or in-person if geography or circumstances are right. Life is busy – we want to cause the least amount of disruption to your schedule while still allowing us to have a meaningful relationship. Local clients are welcome to meet virtually as well.
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We do our best work with clients that:
Are high-earning pre-retirees or retirees seeking financial planning and investment help
Understand how a successful retirement can benefit from expert guidance from a CFP®
Value a deeply personal relationship with a CFP®
Are responsive
Are diligent savers
Aren’t chasing the next investment
Align with our investment philosophy