How We Help

Accomplished Individuals and Families

Like most families, David and Lynn had busy, day-to-day lives that left little time to devote to investment planning. When their two children approached high school age, they realized they had many financial questions:

• How much money will they need to send their children to the colleges of their choice?
• Are their investments performing well and structured for tax efficiency?
• Do they have enough saved to enjoy travel and buy a 2nd home that their family can enjoy throughout their retirement?

Their $3 million nest egg was spread across four different investment firms and banks making it difficult for them to understand their whole financial picture. That’s when they sought out a professional team of wealth managers to help consolidate, oversee and manage their wealth.

Our team at Decker Wealth Management started the process by listing all their assets and liabilities in our planning program. We evaluated the family's budget, saving and spending habits; analyzed their insurance coverages and estimated future educational expenses for their children. We discussed retirement goals such as buying a mountain home and vacationing abroad. From our conversations, we were able to pinpoint ways to help them save more, better allocate their investments in light of their existing 401(k) holdings and set up college funding strategies for the children.

We scheduled check-in calls and wealth planning reviews to help the family stay connected to their plan and keep their finances in sync with life’s changes. Today, Lynn and David feel a tremendous sense of confidence about the future and the possibilities they’ve only dreamt about now seem more likely for the future.

This case study is hypothetical and for discussion purposes only. It is not intended to represent any specific return, yield or investment. Individual experiences referenced above may not reflect the future experience of any one client. The planning process discussed may not be suitable for your personal situation, even if it is similar to the example presented. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.

Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Trevor built and ran a successful luxury travel business. For 20 years, he managed the firm, hired great employees and grew the company into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Like many business owners, most of his personal wealth was invested in the business, making personal financial decision-making and investment diversification difficult.

After meeting with the Decker Wealth Management Group, Trevor knew he had found a team with the business acumen, analytical and technical skills and experience necessary to help him value his business and sell it to an interested party.

As Financial Advisors and a CFP^® professional, the Decker Wealth Management team started the process by focusing on Trevor’s need for diversification, liquidity and risk management strategies. We coordinated with his CPA and attorney and developed a business sale strategy. We tapped specialists to help incorporate the business payout into a clear investment plan that would maximize income so Trevor could fund his next business adventure.

Additionally, we rolled his 401(k) account into a self-directed IRA and consolidated his brokerage and personal banking accounts so he could easily view his cash and investment accounts. We discussed his longer-term financial goals, prioritized his objectives and put an investment strategy in place so he felt confident that the company he built would support his family and work to launch his next business idea.

New Wealth

After years of hard work, David and Greg realized the fruits of their labor by succeeding in selling their mobile app to a large online retailer. As self-made entrepreneurs, David and Greg wanted to use a significant amount of the proceeds to support their families in perpetuity yet carve out enough money to enter into another new venture to give back to the community.

Both David and Greg realized they needed a professional wealth management team – one with experience in helping high net worth individuals and families manage their wealth alongside their business and philanthropic interests.

After initial meetings, Decker Wealth Management held in-depth discussions with David and Greg. The team got to know them and their families. David had a young family to support and wanted a plan to ensure their future was secure so he could focus on new community outreach programs.

Greg, having gone through a recent divorce, needed to plan for the future with his new wife, yet still support his two boys. As a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Kyle crafted a plan that took into account his special financial considerations of managing money after divorce. Greg was touched by the empathy the team had for his special needs son and respected the advanced planning required to set up a Special Needs Trust that would help enhance his son’s quality-of-life activities and services.

This case study is hypothetical and for discussion purposes only. It is not intended to represent any specific return, yield or investment. Individual experiences referenced above may not reflect the future experience of any one client. The planning process discussed may not be suitable for your personal situation, even if it is similar to the example presented. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.

Professionals and Executives

Jim and Sue both had demanding careers. Although they had high incomes and were able to accumulate considerable wealth, they never had a plan in place for the future.Fueling their desire for more financial clarity and direction was their goal to retire in five years and travel the world. The couple constantly questioned if their investment portfolio and additional income streams could support their lifestyle throughout retirement.

During their meetings with Decker Wealth Management, Jim and Sue talked openly about their complicated financial situation and outlined their goals for retirement. Throughout the planning phase, the team helped them identify their priorities and build a foundation for their comprehensive wealth plan, taking into consideration their retirement lifestyle goals.

Because Sue was a corporate executive, her compensation included a significant portion of stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based grants. Jim’s successful practice added additional financial complexity. Decker Wealth Management faced unique investment challenges including:

• Navigating complex federal securities laws
• Complying Sue’s internal company trading policies
• Managing the couple’s personal tax liabilities due to fluctuations in their income
• Managing the risk that Sue’s concentrated equity positions create
• Assessing the family's need for life insurance to replace Sue’s large income
• Managing the illiquid nature of Sue’s investment assets

With close attention to detail, the Decker Wealth Management team took a comprehensive approach to the couple’s situation. They discussed long-term selling strategies for Jim’s stock options and created strategies to better manage income tax exposure. They implemented risk management strategies and helped Sue diversify some of her investment assets. With her Central Arizona Estate Planning Council and Tax and Estate Planning Study Group experience, Kyle focused on their tax and estate planning strategies.

With an exciting retirement in the near future, the couple welcomed their comprehensive wealth plan, detailed financial roadmap and the personal attention they deserved.