Flat-Fee Financial Planning & Investment Management
Pricing
One flat annual fee covers ongoing financial planning and investment management.
Annual fee: $5,000 to $15,000
Billing: Quarterly
Investment management: Included
Investment minimum: None
Cancellation: 30 days’ notice
What will I pay?
Your flat annual fee is based on household income and financial net worth.
| <$300k | $300k – $500k | $500k – $1m | $1m+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <$500k | $5,000/yr. | $5,000/yr. | $7,500/yr. | $10,000/yr. |
| $500k – $1m | $5,000/yr. | $7,500/yr. | $10,000/yr. | $12,500/yr. |
| $1m – $2m | $7,500/yr. | $10,000/yr. | $12,500/yr. | $15,000/yr. |
| $2m – $3m | $10,000/yr. | $12,500/yr. | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. |
| $3m – $4m | $12,500/yr. | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. |
| $4m+ | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. | $15,000/yr. |
Your fee covers the entire ongoing relationship. There is no separate investment management fee.
- Net worth = Assets – debts (primary residence, unvested stock, 529 plans and donor-advised funds excluded)
- Income = prior year’s Adjusted Gross Income from tax return (Line 11 on Form 1040)
- Fees are billed quarterly in advance and can be paid from managed accounts, by ACH, or by credit card.
- Fees are reviewed annually. If your income or financial net worth moves into a different tier, we’ll talk about any change in advance.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“If you are looking for a financial planner who genuinely listens, I highly recommend Spenser.
He didn’t just look at the numbers; he took the time to understand my personal situation and built a customized plan around it. He is remarkably knowledgeable, sharp, and easy to work with.
Having his guidance has given me a real sense of stability and I feel so much more secure and confident about my financial future thanks to his advice.”
– Malvika, client since 2026
Disclosure: Motif Planning has not provided any compensation for the testimonials shown. The testimonials shown have been selected from among all client feedback. To our knowledge, no other conflicts of interest exist regarding these testimonials. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success. View all reviews at Wealthtender.
What your fee covers
You aren’t paying for a stack of financial plans.
You’re paying to have someone involved throughout the year, keeping an eye on the whole picture, managing what you want to hand off, and helping when decisions come up.
Your annual fee includes:
• Ongoing financial planning
• Investment management
• Tax planning
• Equity compensation and employee benefits
• Cash flow and savings decisions
• Insurance review
• College planning
• Retirement and work optional planning
• Estate planning coordination
• Coordination with your CPA and attorney
• At least two planning meetings each year
• Access throughout the year when something comes up
Why a flat fee?
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.
That means the fee reflects the scope of the relationship rather than simply charging more because your investment accounts are larger. Investment management is included.
What does the fee help with?
Taxes
Are we missing opportunities before the year ends?
I look across your income, 401(k), HSA, Roth strategy, equity compensation, charitable giving, investments, and work with your CPA where needed.
Equity compensation
What should we do with RSUs, stock options, or a large bonus?
I help you think through taxes, concentration risk, cash flow, and what the money is meant to support.
Spending and saving
How much can we enjoy now while still staying on track?
We look at cash reserves, investing, retirement, college, major purchases, travel, giving, and the life you want today.
Investments
Are our investments actually connected to everything else?
I can manage the accounts you want to delegate and coordinate the rest with your taxes, goals, employer plans, and company stock.
Priorities
What should we do first?
You don’t need twelve recommendations competing for your attention. I help put the decisions in order and keep track of what comes next.
Who this is for
Motif Planning is designed for families who have already built a solid financial foundation and want an advisor involved throughout the year.
Most clients have high household incomes, growing investments, kids or plans for kids, and several financial decisions happening at the same time.
This works best if you want ongoing help and are comfortable delegating some of the work.
Motif Planning does not offer hourly advice or one time financial plans.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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.
No. There is no minimum amount you need to transfer or have managed.
No. You decide which accounts you want me to manage. I can still help coordinate accounts you prefer to keep elsewhere.
Yes. Investment management is included in your annual fee. There is no separate 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.
We typically meet in the spring and fall, with additional conversations when needed.
You can also reach out throughout the year when something comes up.
How financial planning can add value
Good financial planning can create value in several ways: tax decisions, investment decisions, behavior, implementation, and avoiding costly mistakes.
The research below shows some of the areas where that value may come from.
Want to see if the relationship makes sense for your family?
Start with a 15-minute call.
No prep required. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for and if it makes sense to keep talking.