Clarity for today. Confidence for tomorrow.
Financial Planning
Financial planning isn’t about chasing returns or reacting to markets. It’s about creating a clear, adaptable plan that aligns your wealth with your life — so you can make confident decisions through every stage of your journey. Whether you’re searching for a Mountain Brook financial advisor or a Homewood financial advisor, we aim to help you design a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Why Financial Planning Matters
Money touches every part of your life — your family, your career, your legacy. A thoughtful plan connects it all. We serve a variety of communities, so whether you’re a divorcee, a family with special needs, a high-capacity giver, or an entrepreneur, we can serve you.
No matter what your circumstances, our financial planning services help you understand your current situation, identify opportunities and risks, and make intentional choices about your future. Clients across Mountain Brook, Homewood, Birmingham, and Charlottesville seek Somerset Advisory for personalized financial planning guidance rooted in experience and empathy.
Our CLARITIES process helps bring precision and structure to complex financial planning.
The CLARITIES Process for Financial Planning
Our CLARITIES Process helps us first gain an understanding of your current cash flow and how it aligns with your future goals. From there, we know that the bedrock of your financial plan aligns with the future you want to live.
Keep
By listening to your current financial situation, we’ll gain a clear understanding of your cash flow to help create an allotment plan. From there, we plan your ideal retirement as it relates to investments and assets, along with your ideal insurance structure for the protection of yourself and your family.
Protect
We’ll conduct a tax review to ensure that your strategies are optimized for the best results. In this stage, we’ll aim to focus on your investments, as well as estate planning and stewardship.
Implement
After gaining a clear understanding of your current financial situation and your ideal financial future, we’ll continuously implement your personalized financial planning strategy.
Take our CLARITIES Quiz to see if our process can help your finances thrive.
Why Clients Choose Somerset Advisory for Financial Planning
- Independent and objective: We’re fiduciaries — acting in your best interest.
- Collaborative: We work closely with your CPA, attorney, and other professionals to ensure a coordinated approach.
- Personal: Every plan is tailored to your goals and built to adapt as your life changes.
- Clear and understandable: We translate financial complexity into plain English and actionable steps.
- A team of women, for women: If you’re a woman looking for financial clarity in the many stages of life, we pride ourselves on our ability to understand and serve you, because we are you.
For those seeking a female financial advisor in Mountain Brook, Homewood, Charlottesville, Gordonsville, Birmingham, and beyond, our team seeks to offer a welcoming, relationship-driven approach designed to help bring clarity and confidence to every decision.
Financial Planning Frequently Asked Questions
What is financial planning, and how is it different from investment management?
Financial planning looks at your entire financial life — not just your portfolio. It connects your income, spending, taxes, insurance, and investments to create a roadmap for achieving your goals.
How often do we update the plan?
We review your plan at least once a year, or whenever major life events occur — such as retirement, career changes, inheritance, or the sale of a business.
Do you work on a flat fee or percentage basis?
We offer both options depending on your situation. Many clients prefer a flat, transparent planning fee, while ongoing investment clients pay a percentage of assets under management.
What if I already have an investment advisor or accountant?
That’s great. We regularly collaborate with existing professionals to ensure all parts of your financial life are working together toward your goals.
How long does it take to go through the CLARITIES Process?
We have found that it takes most clients 12-24 months initially before implementation, depending on complexity and how quickly information is provided. From there, we move into implementation and ongoing guidance.
Is there a minimum portfolio size or income requirement?
No. What matters most is your commitment to building and following a plan designed for long-term success.
If you or someone you know would like to participate in this study, please email
hello@somersetadvisory.com. We will publish our findings in mid-2024!
