# Joseph Darpel

> Joseph Darpel is a fee-only financial advisor at Smart Steps Wealth Management in St. Louis, Missouri, who holds the CFP credential. Joseph focuses on retirement planning, estate & legacy planning and tax planning. Smart Steps Wealth Management reports charging a percentage of assets and fixed fees on its Form ADV.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joseph-darpel/
Built from SEC adviser records and the firm's website; last checked October 30, 2026.

## Facts

- **Firm:** Smart Steps Wealth Management
- **Based in:** St. Louis, Missouri
- **Fee model (firm's Form ADV):** Percentage of assets; Fixed fees
- **Assets under management (firm):** $81.5M across 280 accounts
- **Credentials:** CFP
- **Specialties:** Retirement planning, Estate & legacy planning, Tax planning
- **CRD:** 2271298 (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/2271298)
- **SEC registration:** Investment adviser representative in FL, MO, TX, VA
- **Exams passed:** Series 63 (1993), Series 65 (2005)
- **Firm size:** 1 employee
- **Disclosures:** Reported; see the SEC record
- **Website:** https://smartstepswealth.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joseph Darpel a fee-only financial advisor?

Yes, according to SEC records as of October 29, 2026: Joseph holds no broker registration, and Smart Steps Wealth Management reports no commissions, no broker-dealer, and no insurance sales or affiliated insurance agency on its Form ADV.

### How does Joseph charge for financial advice?

Joseph's firm, Smart Steps Wealth Management, reports charging a percentage of assets and fixed fees on its SEC Form ADV.

### Where is Joseph Darpel based?

Joseph Darpel is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

### What does Joseph specialize in?

Joseph's specialties include retirement planning, estate & legacy planning and tax planning.

### What credentials does Joseph Darpel hold?

Joseph Darpel holds the CFP credential.

### Is Joseph Darpel registered with the SEC?

Yes. Joseph Darpel is registered as an investment adviser representative in FL, MO, TX and VA (CRD 2271298), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of October 29, 2026. The record lists disclosures; see the SEC record for details.

### How much does Smart Steps Wealth Management manage?

Smart Steps Wealth Management reports $81.5M across 280 accounts in assets under management.

### How do I contact Joseph Darpel?

Through Joseph's website, smartstepswealth.com.

## Sources

- SEC adviser records (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/2271298): the firm's Form ADV reports no commissions, no broker-dealer, and no insurance sales or affiliated insurance agency, and the advisor holds no broker registration
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and Form ADV: registration, exams, and firm facts, data as of October 29, 2026
- The firm's website (https://www.smartstepswealth.com/): specialties, clients served, and fees, checked October 30, 2026

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Source: Wellspent, the public graph of fee-only advisors (https://find.wellspent.co). No paid placement.