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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Merola Capital Management different?
We stand apart by offering a comprehensive financial planning experience built on well-established processes and tailored strategies. We don’t just focus on isolated aspects of your financial life; we encompass all essential areas of financial planning, including Investment Planning, Retirement Income Planning, Risk Management, Tax Planning, Estate Planning, and Custom Goal Setting.
With clear and structured communication, we keep you informed at all times, holding regular review meetings guided by efficient systems that respect your time and ensure transparency. What truly sets us apart, however, is our team. Our advisors and support staff are among the best in the industry, constantly improving their skills to remain at the forefront of financial planning and providing the highest level of service to our clients.
How do we manage investments for clients?
Investment management is a core component of our comprehensive approach. We begin by thoroughly understanding each client’s unique risk tolerance, financial objectives, and time horizon, which are foundational to creating a customized investment strategy.
Our dynamic investment management approach involves ongoing monitoring and adjustments to your portfolio, ensuring it stays aligned with your broader financial objectives. We do not believe in a “set it and forget it” philosophy. Instead, we are actively engaged in market analysis to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate potential risks.
Moreover, we integrate your investment strategy with other aspects of your financial plan, such as optimizing for tax efficiency or balancing your portfolio to support your retirement income needs. Our goal is to ensure that your investments are a cohesive part of a holistic financial strategy, tailored to your unique situation.
How do we approach retirement planning?
Retirement planning is a cornerstone of our financial planning process at Merola Capital Management. We employ a multifaceted approach to help you enjoy your retirement without financial worries. Our process begins with a comprehensive analysis of your current financial landscape, including retirement accounts, Social Security, pensions, and other potential income sources.
We focus on answering two critical questions: “How much do you need?” and “Where will it come from?” Using these insights, we model different retirement scenarios through our proprietary tools, creating a tailored retirement income plan that projects future cash flows and sustainability. Our investment management and retirement planning are deeply integrated, adjusting your portfolio as needed to match your income requirements and risk tolerance. Regular review meetings, guided by our robust systems, ensure that your plan evolves with life’s changes, offering flexibility and confidence in your financial future.
How do we help clients with tax planning?
Tax planning is a critical aspect of our holistic financial strategy. We take a proactive, integrated approach to maximize your tax efficiency now and in the future. For clients in the accumulation phase, we offer tax-efficient strategies such as tax-loss harvesting and the use of tax-optimized investment funds to maximize after-tax returns.
We also analyze the tax implications of investment decisions to ensure that we aim for favorable long-term capital gains treatment whenever possible. For those nearing or in retirement, we explore Roth conversion strategies to help minimize future tax liabilities and maximize tax-free growth and withdrawals.
Our tax planning extends beyond you to your legacy, aligning estate planning with tax efficiency goals, and utilizing strategies like gifting or charitable contributions to reduce estate and inheritance taxes for your heirs.
Do we have a professional network that clients can access?
Absolutely! We believe in a collaborative approach that leverages a strong network of vetted professionals to support our financial planning process. Our network includes Certified Public Accountants for tax preparation, estate planning attorneys for wills and trusts, insurance specialists for risk management, and real estate experts for property investment considerations.
By coordinating with these experts, we provide a seamless and comprehensive financial planning experience, saving you time and potentially reducing costs. Our goal is to ensure your financial activities are well-coordinated and aligned with your overall strategy, creating a customized plan that covers all facets of your financial landscape.
We regularly evaluate and introduce the right professionals to our clients, ensuring you have access to the expertise you need when it matters most.
How do we help clients stay organized?
Organization is the foundation of effective financial planning at Merola Capital Management. We simplify complex financial situations, providing a clear overview of your finances on a single page that serves as a roadmap for your financial journey.
Our process begins with a deep dive into your current financial picture, gathering and cataloging all relevant information, from investment accounts and liabilities to insurance policies and estate documents. This data is then integrated into our planning software, providing an up-to-date snapshot of your financial situation.
Regular review meetings and open communication help keep you organized and informed, while digital tools offer 24/7 access to monitor and update your financial plan as needed. Our goal is to ensure that you stay on track, with clarity and confidence, every step of the way.
How do we communicate with clients?
Communication is a core element of our client relationships. We prioritize consistent, transparent, and proactive communication, believing that informed clients make better financial decisions.
We will outline regular touchpoints throughout the year, including review meetings, email updates, and educational content that covers all aspects of financial planning. We use various channels—face-to-face meetings, video conferences, phone calls, and secure emails—to suit your preferences and lifestyle. Our team is always accessible for questions or consultations.
How often will clients meet with us?
Our meeting frequency is tailored to ensure that you stay on track with your financial goals. We will proactively communicate and schedule touchpoints, beginning with an initial onboarding meeting to establish your financial baseline. We typically hold semi-annual or annual review meetings, either in person, over video, or via phone, to assess your progress and adjust your strategies as needed.
We remain flexible, ready for ad-hoc meetings whenever life changes require a reassessment of your plan. You’ll also receive regular communications, educational content, and updates to keep you informed and engaged. We pride ourselves on being responsive, returning all client queries within one business day.
How do we get paid?
Our compensation is straightforward and transparent. We operate on an Assets Under Management (AUM) model, charging a percentage fee based on the assets we manage for you. This fee structure aligns our interests with yours—when your portfolio grows, both you and our firm benefit.
Our fee is tiered, meaning the percentage decreases as your assets grow, and it covers all services, including comprehensive financial planning, regular reviews, ongoing portfolio management, and unlimited access to our team. We provide a detailed fee schedule upfront, ensuring full transparency and understanding before we begin managing your assets.
Is Merola Capital Management a fiduciary?
Yes, Merola Capital operates as a fiduciary. This means our financial professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to act in your best interests at all times. Our fiduciary duty informs every recommendation we make and every strategy we implement, ensuring that we prioritize your financial objectives and needs above all else.
We maintain full transparency regarding fees, potential conflicts of interest, and the suitability of investments and strategies for your unique financial goals. Our commitment to this fiduciary standard is unwavering and foundational to our approach.
Can we explain our process?
The Merola Capital Management process is a structured, six-step approach designed to provide clarity, value, and adaptability throughout your financial journey.
- Introduction: We start with a meeting to discuss your financial situation and goals, and to determine if we’re a good fit.
- Discovery: We dive deeper, gathering data on your assets, liabilities, income, expenditures, and life goals.
- Analysis & Strategy Formation: Using our proprietary tools, we create a comprehensive plan covering all six points of financial planning.
- Presentation & Discussion: We present and discuss the proposed plan, making any necessary adjustments based on your feedback.
- Implementation: Upon approval, we implement the plan, setting up accounts, adjusting allocations, and initiating strategies.
- Review Meetings & Ongoing Management: We continuously monitor your plan, making adjustments as needed, and schedule regular review meetings to keep you informed and aligned with your objectives.
This process ensures an ongoing relationship, adapting to your changing needs and the financial landscape.
What happens to a client’s money if something happens to us?
Your assets are held with a reputable third-party custodian, not directly by our firm, ensuring they remain safe regardless of what happens to us. We have comprehensive succession plans in place, designed to provide continuity of service without disruption. Our network of qualified financial professionals is prepared to take over the management of your accounts, maintaining the same high standards and fiduciary responsibilities. We review these contingency plans with you regularly, ensuring you are always informed of any changes. Your financial security is our top priority, and we have robust measures in place to protect it.