Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve dedicated my career to working with clients who value personalized financial advice that is comprehensive and professional. My clients recognize that striving towards achieving their goals requires a commitment of resources, planning and follow-through. With LPL Financial as my custodian, I will be able to provide my clients with more options and better resources.
Getting Started
Who is a good fit for Butera Wealth Management?
Butera Wealth Management works with individuals, families, and retirees seeking personalized financial guidance and a long-term relationship with an experienced advisor. We help clients align their investment decisions with their broader financial goals through ongoing planning, investment management, and personalized advice.
Many clients come to us looking for guidance on retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, wealth preservation, and navigating important financial decisions with greater confidence.
How do I get started?
The first step is an introductory consultation.
We'll discuss your goals, priorities, current financial situation, and any questions you may have. This meeting also gives you the opportunity to learn more about our planning process and determine whether our approach is the right fit for your needs.
Is there a cost for the initial consultation?
No. The initial consultation is complimentary and allows both of us to determine whether an ongoing advisory relationship makes sense.
About Working Together
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes. When acting in an advisory capacity, I am held to a fiduciary standard and am legally obligated to act in my clients' best interests.
What makes your approach different?
My investment philosophy has remained consistent throughout my career, focusing on prudent asset allocation, cost-effective investments, and disciplined portfolio management.
What makes the relationship unique is the personalized planning process. Rather than focusing solely on investments, we consider retirement planning, tax implications, income needs, and long-term financial objectives when making recommendations.
How are you compensated?
Advisory services are generally provided through an asset-based fee arrangement.
Any fees applicable to your relationship will be fully disclosed and discussed before you decide to become a client.
Financial Planning
Is financial planning included?
Yes. Financial planning is an important part of our client relationship.
We use planning tools that allow us to evaluate retirement income strategies, tax planning opportunities, Roth conversion scenarios, Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) planning, Medicare-related income considerations, and other key financial decisions.
How do taxes factor into your recommendations?
Taxes are often an important component of financial decision-making.
Depending on your situation, we may evaluate strategies involving Roth conversions, retirement income planning, tax-efficient portfolio management, capital gains considerations, and other tax-aware planning opportunities.
We encourage clients to consult with qualified tax professionals regarding tax advice and tax preparation.
Do you prepare tax returns?
No. We do not provide tax preparation services.
When appropriate, we coordinate with your CPA or tax professional to help ensure planning recommendations align with your overall tax picture.
Investments & Account Transfers
Will transferring my investments create a taxable event?
In most cases, no.
Assets can often be transferred without being sold, allowing investments to move without creating a taxable event. Before recommending any changes, we review existing holdings and discuss any tax implications that may apply to your situation.
Has your investment strategy changed?
No.
Our approach continues to emphasize diversification, asset allocation, rebalancing, and cost-effective investment solutions. However, our relationship with LPL Financial provides access to a broader range of investment solutions and planning resources when appropriate for a client's needs.
Where will my assets be held?
Client assets are held with LPL Financial, which serves as custodian and provides the operational, technology, and account support infrastructure for client accounts.
While your assets are custodied with LPL Financial, your advisory relationship remains with Butera Wealth Management.
Will I have online access to my accounts?
Yes.
Clients have access to an online portal that allows them to view account values, allocations, transactions, statements, and other account information. We will assist with enrollment and setup.
LPL Financial
Who is LPL Financial?
LPL Financial provides the custody, technology, operational support, and research resources that help support our client relationships. LPL Financial also provides access to extensive investment research and a broad range of investment solutions.
Why did you choose to affiliate with LPL Financial?
The LPL platform allows us to remain independent while benefiting from the resources of a large financial services organization. This gives us the flexibility to focus on delivering personalized advice while utilizing sophisticated planning, investment, and service capabilities.
Ongoing Relationship
How often will we meet?
The frequency of meetings depends on your circumstances and needs.
We conduct ongoing reviews and remain available when important financial decisions or life events arise.
What happens if I have questions between meetings?
We encourage clients to reach out.
Financial questions do not always arise on a schedule, and ongoing communication is an important part of the advisory relationship.
What happens next?
If you'd like to learn more about working together, we invite you to schedule an introductory consultation.
Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will outperform a non-diversified portfolio; diversification does not protect against risk it is a method used to help manage portfolio volatility.
Neither LPL Financial, nor its registered representatives, offer tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified tax advisor for information as to how taxes may affect your particular situation.