Financial advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to as an ultra-high-net-worth family in California?
For ultra-high-net-worth families in California, talk to a fee-only firm with a team across investing, tax, and estate work, and ask who actually does each part. At this level, how fees scale on large balances matters as much as the percentage you're quoted. Records to start with include Kimberly Helm of Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Marty McNamara of marrick wealth and Stephen Nelson of Birchwood Capital LLC.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Kimberly Helm Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Pasadena Holds the CFA, CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Marty McNamara marrick wealth, Irvine Holds the CPA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- Stephen Nelson Birchwood Capital LLC, Carlsbad Holds the CFA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Philip Kirshman Manchester Capital Management, Montecito Holds the CFA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, fixed fees.
- Barton Brewer Global Business Management, Valencia Holds the CFA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Sean Shannon Monograph Wealth, Manhattan Beach Holds the CFA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with ultra-high-net-worth families?
The Wellspent public graph lists 178 fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California, at 61 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California located?
Of the 178 fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California, 19 are in San Francisco, followed by 17 in Beverly Hills and 16 in Los Angeles.
Plus 101 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California is a percentage of assets, used by 94% of the 178 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 52% charge by the hour and 43% charge fixed fees.
How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?
Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.
How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?
A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.
What credentials should a financial advisor for ultra-high-net-worth families have?
For ultra-high-net-worth families, look for the CFA, CPA and CFP. In California, 35% of the 178 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- CFA13% in California
- The CFA supports complex portfolios.
- CPA2% in California
- CPAs handle tax across entities and trusts.
- CFP35% in California
- The CFP keeps the whole picture together.
How do California advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families compare with the rest of the US?
43% of fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California charge fixed fees, compared with 59% of the 1,133 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families.
Does California have an estate or inheritance tax?
No. California has no state estate or inheritance tax, so the federal rules are the main ones to plan around.
Is California a community property state?
Yes. California is a community property state, which shapes how married couples title assets and what happens to cost basis at death.
What should I ask a financial advisor as an ultra-high-net-worth family in California?
- What would I pay in dollars, on my balance, each year?
- Who on your team handles tax and estate work?
- How many clients my size do you serve?
- How do you handle private investments?
- If I own property in another state, could its estate tax apply?
- How would community property rules change how we title our assets?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for ultra-high-net-worth families in California?
Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.
All 178 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kathleen Connors Dowdy | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP, EA, CLU, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Stephen Nelson | Birchwood Capital LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Marty McNamara | marrick wealth | Irvine | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets |
| Thomas Donnelly | Donnelly Investments | West Hollywood | CFP, JD | Percentage of assets |
| Andy Moran Ad Astra Financial Planning specializes in helping tech professionals navigate RSUs, stock options, tender offers, IPOs, and financial independence. We are a flat-fee, fee-only, fiduciary firm - we don't receive commissions or kickbacks or charge based on a percentage of your assets. | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Kimberly Helm | Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC | Pasadena | CFP, CDFA, CFA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ryan Hughes You work hard for your money. We’ll work hard to help you capitalize on what you’ve earned. Bull Oak is a full-service financial advisory firm. We provide investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, tax preparation and filing, and estate planning. Our all-inclusive service frees up your time and gives you an optimal wealth management experience with harmony between all aspects of your financial life. | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Bugra Bakan | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Erin Hadley | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| James Griffin | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Steven Pitchford | Towerpoint Wealth | Sacramento | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Lauren Williams Guiding your family’s wealth | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Steven Evensen Gerber Kawasaki is a forward-thinking wealth and investment management firm based in Santa Monica that helps individuals and families build, grow, and protect their wealth through personalized financial planning, investment strategies, and equity-compensation expertise. | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Adrianne Yamaki | Strategic Wealth Capital | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Andrew Drennan | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Calvin Lo | Keystone Global Partners | Monrovia | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Emily Hermeno | Prosperity Road | Santa Ana | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Callahan | Thryve Wealth Management | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Joshua Coniglio | Pacific Capital | Corona | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kevin Kolson | Family Wealth Leadership | Irvine | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Krysta Kelly | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kyle Jones | Lindsey & Lindsey Wealth Management | Culver City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Morgan Fippinger | Pacific Capital | Corona | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Randall Francis | Pacific Capital | Corona | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Andrew Russell | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Chad Valchar | R.I.T. Wealth Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Cody Beaumont | HFG Trust | Gilroy | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Cynthia Miller | Greykasell Wealth Strategies | Danville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| David Eisenhauer | Greykasell Wealth Strategies | Danville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gloria Garcia Cisneros Empowering the Next Gen and First Gen to Build Wealth & Their Dream Lives | LourdMurray | Los Angeles | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Joseph Hendrickson | PCM Encore | Folsom | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kathleen Adams | Second 50 Financial | Manhattan Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Marc Roland | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets |
| Mark Hill | DeDora Capital | Napa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Neil Unger | AIRE Advisors | Beverly Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Paul Dedora | DeDora Capital | Napa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Philip Kirshman | Manchester Capital Management | Montecito | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Riley Adams We offer tax, accounting, financial planning, and investment advisory services for small-to-midsize businesses, wealth advisory clients, and high-net worth individuals. | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Risley Sams | RHS Financial | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Ryan Brizendine | Westshore Wealth | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ryan McGuire | Westshore Wealth | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Sharon Khan | DeDora Capital | Napa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Sharon Nassirzadeh | AIRE Advisors | Beverly Hills | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| 5T Wealth Management Financial advisory firm in Napa with a focus on clients needing comprehensive financial planning and sophisticated investment solutions. | 5T Wealth Management | Napa | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Andrew Cattano | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher D'Arcy | D'Arcy Capital Management | San Diego | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Coco Lorenzo | Monograph Wealth | Manhattan Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Geovanni James | Occidental Asset Management | Burlingame | Not listed | Ongoing planning fee |
Want a shorter list for ultra-high-net-worth families?
Tell us what you need and we'll narrow California's 178 advisors to the few who fit.
Get matched in 2 minutes