Financial Planning & Investment Management FAQ

I primarily work with high income families in their 30s and 40s who want ongoing financial planning and investment management.

Many are dual income households with kids, growing investments, demanding careers, equity compensation, complex employee benefits, and tax planning opportunities.

Yes. Motif Planning is based in Dallas, TX, and I work with clients virtually across the United States.

Most meetings happen over Zoom, which makes it easier to meet from home or work without adding another appointment across town.

Motif Planning probably isn’t a good fit if you’re looking for a one time answer, hourly advice, product recommendations, or standalone investment advice.

The relationship works best for families who want someone involved throughout the year.

We start with a 15-minute conversation.

No prep is required.

We’ll talk about why you’re reaching out, what you’d like help with, and if a longer conversation makes sense.

The first few months focus on getting organized, understanding your full financial picture, building your plan, and putting the highest priority decisions into action.

That includes reviewing your investments, taxes, benefits, insurance, goals, and the investment accounts you may want me to manage.

We typically meet in the spring and fall, with additional conversations when needed.

You can also reach out during the year when something comes up.

I also keep an eye on planning opportunities, deadlines, and open items between meetings.

Financial planner fees in Dallas vary based on the type of service and how the advisor charges.

Motif Planning charges $5,000 to $15,000 per year for ongoing financial planning and investment management.

Your fee is based on household income and financial net worth.

See pricing

Traditional investment advisors often charge a percentage of the investments they manage.

Motif Planning charges one annual fee based on household income and financial net worth.

Investment management is included, and there is no separate percentage based AUM fee.

Yes. If I manage eligible investment accounts for you, your fee can be deducted directly from those accounts.

You can also pay by ACH or credit card.

No. There is no minimum amount you need to invest or transfer to Motif Planning.

No. You decide which accounts you want me to manage.

I can still help coordinate accounts you prefer to keep elsewhere, including employer retirement plans.

Planning can include taxes, investments, equity compensation, employee benefits, cash flow, insurance, college, retirement, estate planning, and coordination with your CPA or attorney.

The exact focus depends on what is most relevant to your family.

Yes. I help you look ahead at decisions involving retirement contributions, HSAs, Roth strategy, equity compensation, charitable giving, investment taxes, and other planning opportunities.

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 see how those choices affect taxes, cash flow, investing, and the rest of your plan.

I use a long term, evidence based approach focused on diversification, low costs, tax efficiency, and avoiding unnecessary trading.

For the accounts I manage, I handle implementation, monitoring, and rebalancing. The portfolio should support your financial plan rather than become a separate project to manage.

Yes. I am required to act in your best interest when providing financial advice.

I do not earn commissions or receive incentives to recommend specific financial products.

No. Most clients are already doing a lot of things right.

They hire me because their income, investments, taxes, benefits, and family decisions have created more to keep track of, and they want help managing it all.

No. Motif Planning works with clients through an ongoing relationship so I can stay involved as decisions come up throughout the year.