Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are you taking on new clients, and do you have a minimum account size?

    Yes! We’re happy to welcome new clients, typically those with at least $1.5 million in current or expected investable assets.

     

    But more than just numbers, we’re looking for the right fit — because great partnerships make all the difference!

     

    We tend to work best with people who: 

     

    • Have a complex financial situation and could use expert guidance.

    • Want to invest wisely for retirement and make smart tax moves.

    • Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations.

    • Are open and honest about their assets, goals, and concerns

    • Are looking for a long-term partner to collaborate with throughout retirement

    • Appreciate our time and the expertise we bring to the table.

     

    Above all, we genuinely enjoy our clients and the connections we build with them.  We’re in this for the long haul, and let’s be real — life (and finances) are better when there's trust, good conversation, and a few laughs along the way.

     

    Think we’d be a good fit? Give us a call — we’d love to chat.

  • What should I expect at my introductory meeting?

    Our introductory meeting gives us a chance to learn more about you, discover some of your goals and priorities, answer questions about our process, and discuss what next steps are best for you.  Since most of our relationships are lifelong, and often multi-generational, it's important all of us feel this is the right strategic fit.  Maybe we’re a good fit, maybe not.  Either way, we want to help and at least get you headed in the right direction.

    What to bring. . . well that’s up to you!  No pressure from us.  If you have specific questions, feel free to bring statements and information on the items most on your mind.  Here are some examples:

    • Statements for bank, investment, and retirement accounts
    • Pension information 
    • Social Security estimated benefit statements
    • Tax return
    • Mortgage documents
    • Insurance policy information
    • Pay stubs

  • What is holistic financial planning?

    We look at the big picture and consider all aspects of your life, not just investments.  Check out our Iceberg Diagram for more details.

    We’ll look at income, assets, liabilities, insurance, etc., but the real focus of what we do is help you identify and start planning your life goals.  Prepare for retirement, buy a second home, plan for a child’s education, travel the world — we help you look long term and build a financial plan to help guide you in your decisions. 

    Here’s a brief explanation of what a comprehensive financial plan involves:

    • A thorough review of your current financial situation.
    • A discussion and understanding of long-term goals.
    • Developing and presenting financial planning recommendations.
    • Always monitoring and adjusting the plan as life happen.

  • How often will we meet?

    During the first year, we’ll typically meet  4-6 times — how often depends on the complexity of your plan. This is when we really get to know each other and lay the foundation for a strong, long-term relationship. Once your financial plan is in place and running smoothly, we’ll usually meet a couple times a year to review and update it proactively.

    That said, life is full of changes and surprises, and that’s often when you’ll need us most! Whether it’s retirement, buying a home, receiving an inheritance, tax planning, taking out a mortgage, buying a car, or facing any other big financial decision, we want to be your first call. We’re always here when you need us.

    Plus, you can expect regular updates from us through our weekly emails, market updates, videos, webinars, and of course, our annual client appreciation event—we love staying connected!

  • What is a Family CFO?

    Isn't it just like life that as you become more successful, your finances become more complex?  That's why we're here, to make sense of it all so you can get on with enjoying life.

    As your Family Chief Financial Officer, we partner with you to help organize and coordinate all your wealth strategies.  We consult directly with you and your other trusted advisors to ensure everyone is following your master financial plan.  We're here to make your life easier, to help you make sense of a complex financial world and to give you peace of mind.

     

  • Who will I work with on your team?

    When you become part of the Eagle Wealth Management family, we’ll consider your needs, personality and stage of your financial life when selecting a team to support you.  Your team will include a financial planner, a client service associate, as well as operational and administrative support.  We work collectively and any team member will jump in with his/her expertise whenever it is needed.  Learn more about us.

  • How will my assets be invested?

    We’re firm believers that every investment should serve a purpose.  We first and foremost start by focusing on your values-driven intentions that support your desired lifestyle.  Once we’re in agreement of what’s most important to you, we’ll implement tax-efficient investment and distribution strategies across a well-diversified portfolio that meet your specific needs.

  • How can I monitor my investments?

    We'll create a personalized financial website for you that provides an up-to-date snapshot of your financial life and is the main platform for ongoing financial reviews.  With 24/7 access, this interactive tool helps organize all your accounts and monitor your holistic financial plan.  Read more about our Wealthview software. 

  • How are you paid?

    Our compensation is fee based, which means we’re paid a percentage fee based on the assets we manage for you. This is important because it means any decision we make on your accounts does not result in an extra fee or commission for us.  Instead, our advisors are paid salaries, which means their income is not influenced by the recommendations they make for your plan.  We are fiduciaries and we will always look after your best interest.  That’s what being a fiduciary is all about — putting you first.

  • What is a fiduciary, and are your advisors fiduciaries?

    We know this sounds a bit legalistic, but it’s important.  A fiduciary is someone who has the power and responsibility to act in another person’s best interest, always with trust, honesty, and good faith.  It’s the highest standard of care in the financial world—and by law, it means always putting clients first.


    For us, it’s simple — doing the right thing is just how we operate.  So yes, we are 100% fiduciaries, and you can always count on us to put you first.

  • Can I keep working with my current tax preparer or attorney?

    Of course!  While most of our clients take advantage of our in-house team of CPAs for their taxes, we're happy to partner with your chosen tax preparer and other professionals to make sure everything stays aligned with your overall financial plan.


    With your permission, we’ll coordinate directly with them—handling the details so you don’t have to. Let us do the busy work while you focus on enjoying life!

  • What is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and why does it matter?

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals have completed extensive training, experience requirements, and are held to high ethical standards.  A CFP® professional must always act in their client’s best interest and are obligated to practice integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence.  They help you bring all the pieces of your financial life together.  You can count on a CFP® professional to have completed the following:

    • Education - a bachelor’s degree and completed a comprehensive course which covers a personal financial planning curriculum approved by the CFP® board.  In addition, a CFP® professional must complete continuing education based on professional competency and ethics. 
    • Examination - passed a rigorous test administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.  
    • Experience - at least three years of hands on experience in the financial planning process.

  • What if I don’t live in Central Oregon?

    We're based in Bend, Oregon, but we use technology to offer the same great service to out-of-state clients.  With our easy-to-use video conferencing, we share our computer screen with you to review financial plans, answer questions, and connect.  

    What about all the paperwork?  With a few clicks of a button we send and receive documents through a secure electronic “vault” in your own personal financial website.  Sometimes we need old fashioned signatures on paper, but often we can use electronic signatures if you prefer.

    In addition to video and teleconferences, we hold in-person meetings in Bend OR, Portland OR, Ashland OR, San Diego CA, and the San Francisco Bay Area CA.  Don’t hesitate to contact us — we know how to make long distance relationships work,