Our Process

At Miller Financial Planning, we believe the process for financial planning is not a snap shot, but a motion picture. We begin with a no cost, no obligation introductory meeting in which we size each other up. You may have a number of questions, such as:

• What is our experience, credentials, track record?
• What are our values, and are they aligned with yours?
• Can we understand your vision, your hopes, your fears?
• What confidential information will we need, and can you trust us with it?
• What do our services cost?
• How much time will it take?

We, too, will have questions, such as:

• Are you willing to participate in the process in terms of time and the sharing of information?
• Are you looking to work with an advisory firm as a partner to achieve your goals?
• Are you serious about putting a plan into action and following through?

If the answers to these and other questions are consistent with your expectations and ours, then and only then do we begin.

Our financial planning process begins with an understanding of your needs and aspirations. This process addresses every area of your financial life, from investments to insurance, from estate planning to charitable giving.

First, we ask a simple, yet fundamental question: Why do this? This is the most important question we ask, because before we can begin our process we must understand your motivations and your expectations. Without knowing why, the how is unimportant.

• Are you confident that your assets are being preserved to the greatest extent possible and distributed according to your wishes?
• Are your assets working hard enough for you, producing enough income, appreciation or both?
• Are you on course to live in retirement as you want and under your terms?
• Are you receiving all the tax benefits that are reasonable and logical for you?
• Are your charitable intentions being actualized currently, and will they be in the future?
• Do you own a business and wonder how it can be transferred or sold?

Once we have a complete understanding of your current situation, your short-term needs and your long-term goals, we undertake a holistic financial planning process that addresses every area of your financial life.

Our Financial Planning Process

• Discovery: Our in-depth discovery process allows us to chart all your assets and define your objectives.
• Strategy: We'll create a strategy that helps you manage risk, improve potential performance through a deliberate and specific diversification strategy, and keep your portfolio on track with your goals. We will prepare an investment policy statement that clearly outlines the strategy for your investments.
• Review: We will monitor and adjust your financial plan/investment policy statement as your needs and circumstances change.
• Evaluation: We will evaluate your portfolio's performance against your goals.