Financial Planning FAQ

Motif Planning works best with high-income families, executives, and professionals who want ongoing financial planning across their full financial life.

Many clients are dual-income families in their 30s and 40s earning $350k to $500k+, often with kids, demanding careers, equity compensation, complex benefits, and growing tax questions.

Yes. I work with clients across the country.

All meetings are held virtually over Zoom, and we use secure online tools to share documents, track your plan, and stay organized.

No. Motif Planning is based in Dallas, TX, but works with clients virtually across the country.

Many families find virtual planning easier because they can meet from home or work without adding another commute to an already full schedule.

Motif Planning is probably not the right fit if you only want a one-time plan, want someone to take over day-to-day investment management, or are mainly looking for product recommendations.

The best fit is a family that wants ongoing advice, is willing to organize their financial information, and wants help making decisions over time.

The discovery call is a 60-minute Zoom meeting.

We talk through your family, income, career, taxes, investments, benefits, and what made you reach out. You do not need to prepare anything formal before the call.

If it feels like a fit, I’ll explain the next steps. If not, I’ll point you in a better direction when I can.

The first few months focus on organization, clarity, and planning.

We gather your financial documents, review your current situation, clarify your goals, discuss your values, and build your financial plan. Then we prioritize the next steps so you know what to do first.

We meet at least twice per year, typically in the Spring and Fall.

Outside of those meetings, you can reach out anytime with questions. We schedule additional meetings as needed when something changes or a major decision comes up.

I also reach out proactively when there are planning opportunities, deadlines, or updates that affect your situation. You are not left to figure things out on your own between meetings.

I am a fee-only, advice-only financial planner. You pay a flat annual fee, billed monthly.

I do not earn commissions. I do not manage assets or take a percentage of your investments.

I do not receive compensation from investment or insurance companies.

Yes. Fee-only means clients pay me directly for financial advice.

I do not earn commissions, sell products, or receive compensation from investment or insurance companies.

Advice-only financial planning means you pay for advice, planning, and guidance.

I do not manage your investments, sell products, earn commissions, or custody your assets. You stay in control of your accounts, and I help you decide what to do and how to do it.

No. Motif Planning does not have an investment minimum.

Many families have most of their investments inside 401(k)s, HSAs, IRAs, employer stock plans, or taxable accounts they want to keep managing themselves.

The fee is $10,000 per year, billed monthly at $834.

There are no upfront fees, commissions, or additional charges based on your assets. You can cancel with 30 days’ notice.

You can read the full pricing details on the pricing page.

I provide ongoing, comprehensive financial planning.

This includes tax planning, investment guidance and portfolio design, equity compensation planning, cash flow and savings strategy, employee benefits review, insurance planning, retirement planning, college planning, and estate planning coordination.

You implement your investments, and I guide you on what to do and how to do it.

Yes. Tax planning is a core part of the work.

I help you look ahead at tax decisions around 401(k) contributions, Roth versus pre-tax savings, HSAs, equity compensation, charitable giving, investment accounts, and multi-year planning.

I do not prepare tax returns, but I can coordinate with your CPA.

Yes. I help with RSUs, stock options, bonuses, deferred compensation, ESPPs, 401(k)s, HSAs, insurance benefits, and open enrollment decisions.

The goal is to help you understand how your compensation and benefits fit into taxes, investing, cash flow, and long-term planning.

Yes. I regularly coordinate with CPAs, estate attorneys, insurance professionals, and other members of your financial team.

This helps keep your tax plan, estate plan, insurance, investments, and financial planning decisions aligned.

Yes. These are all part of comprehensive planning.

We review insurance needs, college savings, retirement projections, beneficiary designations, estate documents, and the major family decisions that connect to your plan.

You implement your investments, and I guide you on how to do it.

We build a portfolio based on your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, tax situation, and account types. The focus is on diversification, low costs, and tax efficiency.

I help you decide what accounts to use, what funds to invest in, how to allocate your portfolio, and when to rebalance.

I take a long-term, evidence-based approach.

That means using broadly diversified portfolios, keeping costs low, and minimizing unnecessary trading. Taxes and fees matter, so we structure your portfolio to be as efficient as possible over time.

The goal is to support your plan, not chase short-term performance.

Yes. I am a fiduciary at all times. That means I am legally and ethically required to act in your best interest.

There are no incentives to recommend specific products or strategies.

Every recommendation is based on what best supports your goals, your family, and your long-term plan.