Family wealth transfer
Family-wealth-transfer planning sits one layer beyond estate documents: it's the ongoing intra-family work of governance, education, gifting strategy, family meetings, dynasty trusts, and the relationships between three or four generations of a household. Advisors here treat the family system as the client, not just the senior generation.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 2,754 fee-only financial advisors focused on family wealth transfer at 776 firms, most in Boston, Houston and Atlanta. 36% hold the CFP certification. Of the 2753 with fees on file, 97% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 2,754
- Firms
- 776
- Cities
- 576
- Hold the CFP
- 36%
- Other credentials: CFA 13% · CPA 1% · EA 1%
- How they charge (of 2753 with fees on file): percentage of assets 97% · fixed fees 65% · hourly 43% · performance-based fees 8%
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 family wealth transfer
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Kelman | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mary Allvine | Doyenne Wealth Advisors | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Matthew Biggar | Stage Harbor Financial | Westwood | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Matthew Blades | Woodard & Company Asset Management Group | Bermuda Run | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Chambers | Private Advisory Group | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Performance-based fees |
| Matthew Hodges | Napier Financial | Braintree | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Michaels | Fidelis Capital | Tampa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Matthew Northrop | Main Street Research | Greenwich | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Short | Tiller Private Wealth | Bethlehem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Matthew Shriver | Alexander Randolph Advisory | Reston | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Simmons | Peddock Capital Advisors | Braintree | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Snuggs | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Maureen Miller | Doyenne Wealth Advisors | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Mawuena Takyi | Asempa Wealth Advisors | Baton Rouge | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| McKenna Sheldon | Private Advisory Group | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Performance-based fees |
| Meghan Mader | asendo wealth | Columbus | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Michael Henley | Brandywine Oak Private Wealth | Kennett Square | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Michael Manjarrez | Whelan Financial | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Michael Ryan | Whelan Financial | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Michelle Hundley | Trio Wealth Management® | Great Falls | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Michelle Myhre | Oak Advisors | Bluffton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Millu Ramirez | Highline Wealth Partners | Sherman Oaks | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Miriam Santiago | Sand Hill Global Advisors | Palo Alto | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Monica Dwyer | Harvest Financial Advisors | West Chester | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Monica Sipes | QuadCap Wealth Management | Frisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Nancy Mulvey | Heritage Financial Counselors | Bedminster | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Natalie McMahon | Main Street Research | Lakeville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nathan Paulson | Paulson Wealth Management | Wheaton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Thurwanger | Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management | Columbia | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Nicholas Trotter | Solidarity Wealth | Lehi | CFP | Percentage of assets, Subscription |
| Nicole Hughes | Woodmont Investment Counsel | Nashville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nina Spezzaferro | Chemistry Wealth Management, LLC. | New York | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Nirvanna Silva Novelo | Nicholas Hoffman & Company | Atlanta | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Noah Semmann | GEN Financial Management | Plymouth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Pamela Rigsby | Pursuit Wealth Strategies | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Patrick Cicchetti I help 7-figure service-based business owners simplify their finances, minimize taxes, and buy back time—so they can focus on life beyond the business. | Ryse Capital Management | Rochester | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Patrick Mason | Cairn Wealth Management | Vancouver | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Patrick O'Hearn | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Peter Fiorita | Main Street Research | Lakeville | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Phil Telpner We end post-divorce financial anxiety. | Breakout Private Wealth | Glenview | Not listed | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Philip Kirshman | Manchester Capital Management | Montecito | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Phoebe Stefani | Doyenne Wealth Advisors | Chicago | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Portia White | Whelan Financial | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Rick Prime | HFG Trust | Kennewick | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| 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 |
| Robert Hofman | Hofman Wealth Management | Chesterfield | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Robert Pearson | HFG Trust | Kennewick | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Robert Weinstein | Round Rock Advisors | Harrison | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Ross Cohn | Sage Financial Group | West Conshohocken | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Ross Fedenia | Atlatl Advisers | Madison | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
Guides
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Family office vs wealth manager: what's the difference?
A single family office works for one family and is exempt from SEC adviser registration; the ones in UBS's 2025 survey managed an average of $1.1 billion. A multi-family office is a registered wealth manager with more household services. Fee-only wealth managers charge a median 1% of assets.
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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.
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Financial advisor for an inheritance: what to do first
Don't rush. Park the money, learn the tax rules for what you inherited, then get a plan. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner costs a median $2,000; most inheritances owe no federal tax at all.
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Inheriting money in Canada: tax, RRSPs and what to do first
Canada has no inheritance tax. The estate settles the tax on the final return before you're paid, and most inheritances aren't income to you. A one-time plan from a Canadian fee-only planner costs a median C$1,900.
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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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Charitable giving strategy: stock, donor-advised funds and QCDs
In 2026, giving appreciated stock avoids the capital gains tax, a donor-advised fund lets you bunch several years of gifts to clear the $32,200 standard deduction, and from 70½ an IRA gift of up to $111,000 stays out of income entirely.