Estate & legacy planning
Estate and legacy planning covers the coordination of wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, lifetime gifting, generation-skipping and dynasty planning, and the implementation work that sits between the attorney's documents and the household balance sheet. Advisors listed here coordinate closely with trusts-and-estates counsel and carry the plan forward through life events.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 6,173 fee-only financial advisors focused on estate & legacy planning at 2,325 firms, most in Houston, San Diego and Austin. 44% hold the CFP certification. Of the 6162 with fees on file, 91% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 6,173
- Firms
- 2,325
- Cities
- 1,184
- Hold the CFP
- 44%
- Other credentials: CFA 9% · CPA 2% · EA 1%
- How they charge (of 6162 with fees on file): percentage of assets 91% · fixed fees 54% · hourly 44% · ongoing planning fee 12%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in estate & legacy planning
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bryan Hancock | Timberchase Financial, LLC | Hoover | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Caden Buckley | Beacon Financial Planning, Inc. | Hyannis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Caleb Bogia-Curles Financial Advice for Millennial and Gen X Entrepreneurs with ADHD | Focused Founders Wealth Planning | MOUNT JOY | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Carl von dem Bussche | Financial Guidance Group, Inc. | Franklin | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Chris Fliesser | Fliesser Financial | Ottawa | PFA, P.Eng. | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Chris Maggio Project-based retirement planning with no asset minimum for people who want to stay in the driver's seat of their decisions. | Retirement Planning Partner LLC | Seattle | RICP | One-time planning fee |
| Cindy Golub | G-Squared Advisory LLC | Mamaroneck | CFP, MBA | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Dan Pinheiro | South Coast Planning & Wealth Management LLC | Fall River | CAIA, CFA, CFP, CPWA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Dann Ryan | Sincerus Advisory | New York | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Dave Grant You've worked hard to prepare for retirement. Retirement Matters will guide you through that transition and partner with you as you live out those dreams. | Retirement Matters, Inc. | Barrington | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| David Flores Wilson | Sincerus Advisory | New York | CEPA, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Donald DeMuth | Mighty Oak Strong America Investment Company | Mechanicsburg | CFA, CHBC, CPA/PFS, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Edward Fulbright | Fulbright Financial Consulting, PA | Durham | CPA/PFS | Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Hess | Alpha Financial Advisors, LLC | McLean | CFP, ChFC, EA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Toya | Navigoe, LLC | Redondo Beach | CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Frank Austin | Sustainable Financial Planning LLC | Hopatcong | BA, CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Gary Pia | Mission Street Wealth Planning | South Pasadena | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Graham Bodel | Chalten Fee-Only Advisors Ltd. | Vancouver | CFA, MBA, MSc | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Henry Gorecki | HG Wealth Management | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jared Wilcox | Rodgers & Associates | Lancaster | CFP, MBA, RICP, ChFC | Percentage of assets |
| Jason Abbott | WEALTHdesigns.ca | Toronto | CFP, CLU, TEP | Not listed |
| Jill Shibuya | Archvest Wealth Advisors, Inc. | Concord | CFP, BS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joseph Team | Team Financial Strategies | Granbury | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kimberly Bridges | Bright Women Financial | Buckeye | Not listed | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Kimberly Helm | Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC | Pasadena | CFP, CDFA, CFA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Laura Corbiani | Astraea Wealth Management, LLC | Grand Rapids | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Lissa Piper | Money Blossoms | Beaverton | CFP, MBA, EA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Malcolm Ethridge We offer financial planning and investment management services to senior managers and executives in tech. | Capital Area Planning Group | Washington | CFP | Subscription, Flat fee or retainer |
| Mathew Hall | Exponent Investment Management | Ottawa | CFP, CFA | Not listed |
| Matthew Sexton | Clear Harbor Asset Management | New York | CFP, CIMA, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Max Novak Flat-fee. Fiduciary. Life-centered planning. | Novak Financial Partners | Carterville | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| Megan Kopka | Kopka Financial, LLC | Wilmington | CFP, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mike Cattapan Affordable, objective advice-only planning for individuals and families at any stage of life or level of wealth. | Abundo Wealth | Chicago | Not listed | Subscription |
| Murray Child | Opus Wealth Advisors Inc. | Waterloo | CFP, RFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nathan Eads | Moller Wealth Partners | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Nicholas LaVerghetta | NCM Capital Management, LLC | Long Beach Island | CFP | Hourly |
| Nicholas Pihl | Pihl Financial Planning | Milwaukie | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Nick Reiber | Reiber Wealth Advisory Services, LLC | Madison | CFP, CPA, CPA/PFS | Percentage of assets |
| Robert B Walsh | Lighthouse Financial Advisors, Inc. | Red Bank | CDFA, CFP, CPA/PFS, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Robert Finley | Virtue Asset Management | Chicago | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Rose Zealand Scratch-paper planning and steady conversation for midlife people facing serious illness, caregiving, grief or questions of mortality. | Golden Thread Collaborative, LLC | Helena | CFP, CeFT | 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 |
| Sally Boyle | SJ Boyle Wealth Planning | HANOVER | CDFA, CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Scott Plaskett | IRONSHIELD Financial Planning | Toronto | CFP | Not listed |
| Shehara Wooten | Your Story Financial, LLC | Phoenix | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Steven Balch Helping you organize your financial life so you can focus on what truly matters | Not listed | Ramsey | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Susan Goodell | Otto & Associates, Inc. | Norwich | BA, CFP, M.Ed. | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| 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 |
| Teancum Light | Lighthouse Wealth Management | Towson | CFP, CPA, JD, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
Guides
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Estate attorney vs financial planner: who does what in an estate plan
An estate attorney drafts and signs the legal documents: wills, trusts, powers of attorney. A financial planner works out what those documents should do and keeps beneficiaries, accounts and taxes lined up. Most people need the attorney for the documents and a planner for the rest.
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Estate planning in Canada: what you need and what it costs
A Canadian estate plan is a will, two powers of attorney, up-to-date beneficiary designations and a plan for the tax due at death. The documents come from a lawyer or notary; a one-time plan from a fee-only planner costs a median C$1,900.
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Setting up an estate plan: the documents and the order
A basic estate plan is a will, a durable financial power of attorney, a healthcare directive and up-to-date beneficiary forms, plus a revocable trust for many families. Federal estate tax starts at $15 million in 2026, but some states tax estates from $1 million. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner costs a median $2,000.
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After a death in the family: the first 90 days
In the first 90 days, get death certificates, secure the home and accounts, find the will and let the deadlines set the order. Most money decisions can wait. A few can't, including Social Security paid for the month of death and, for estates that need one, an estate tax return due 9 months after the death.
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How to review your beneficiary designations
Beneficiary forms decide who receives your retirement accounts, life insurance and transfer-on-death accounts, whatever your will says. Check every form after a marriage, divorce, birth or death. A divorce doesn't reliably remove an ex from a workplace plan, and a 401(k) generally goes to your spouse unless they sign a witnessed waiver.
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Financial planning for a blended family
In a second marriage, the default rules often leave everything to the new spouse and nothing to children from before. Beneficiary forms, trusts and a written agreement fix that. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner costs a median $2,000.