Our Planning Process
Getting to know you is where everything begins. Every step of our process is designed to help you feel informed, comfortable, and in control — with no pressure at any point along the way.
What to Expect
01
Introductory Call
15 Minutes
This call is the beginning of our getting-to-know-each-other process. I want to hear about your situation — what's on your mind, what questions you're carrying, and what you're hoping to accomplish. I'll also take a few minutes to explain how we work and whether our approach might be a good fit for your needs.
At the end of the call, if we both feel it makes sense to continue, we'll schedule the next step. If it doesn't feel like the right fit, that's completely okay too — the call costs nothing and there's no obligation.
The most important thing to know: this is a conversation, not a sales pitch. Come as you are.
02
Discovery Meeting
45-60 Minutes
This is where we really get to know you. We'll talk in depth about your goals, your concerns, and what you want your financial future to look like — not just the numbers, but the life behind them.
We'll discuss what matters most to you, what keeps you up at night, and what you want the next chapter of your life to look like. This conversation becomes the foundation of everything we build together.
After the meeting I'll send you a secure data request — a short list of financial documents and information that will help us prepare your plan. Everything is handled through encrypted, secure email to protect your privacy.
Come prepared to talk about your life, not just your finances. That's where the most important planning happens.
03
Your One-Page Financial Plan
After reviewing your information, I prepare a personalized financial plan built specifically around your situation, your goals, and your concerns. Not a generic template — a plan that reflects who you are and what you're working toward.
I call it a one-page plan deliberately. Not because the thinking behind it is simple — it isn't — but because I believe clarity matters more than complexity. A plan you can understand and refer back to is infinitely more valuable than a 40-page document that sits in a drawer.
The plan includes specific, actionable recommendations across the areas that matter most to your situation — income, investments, Social Security, estate planning, healthcare, and whatever else we identified as priorities in your discovery meeting.
You'll receive the plan before our review meeting so you have time to read it and prepare your questions.
04
Plan Review Meeting
60 Minutes
We walk through the plan together, one section at a time, at whatever pace feels comfortable. I'll explain each recommendation clearly — what it means, why I'm suggesting it, and what the alternatives are. Nothing will be glossed over or rushed.
Please know that there is no hard sell at this meeting. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision — not to pressure you into one. If you're comfortable moving forward and feel confident that I'm the right advisor to help you, we'll discuss our ongoing service model, our fees, and the simple process of getting started.
If you need more time to think, that's completely fine. If you have questions that need more research, we'll get you answers. This is your decision — and it should feel that way.
Most clients tell us the plan review meeting is the moment things start to feel more manageable. That's exactly what it's designed to do.
What Ongoing Support Looks Like
Becoming a client isn't the end of the process — it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship.
After you join Kesselman Wealth Management, we meet regularly to review your plan, monitor your progress, and make adjustments as your life evolves. We don't wait for you to call us when something changes — we stay proactively engaged so that nothing falls through the cracks.
Here's what you can expect as an ongoing client:
Regular planning meetings — we meet at least annually for a comprehensive review, and more frequently when your situation calls for it. Life changes — and your financial plan should keep pace.
Proactive communication — when something happens in the markets, in tax law, or in your personal situation that affects your plan, you'll hear from us. You won't be left wondering what it means for you.
Coordination with your other professionals — we work closely alongside your accountant and estate planning attorney to make sure your financial, tax, and legal strategies are aligned and working together.
Accessible support — when you have a question, you can reach us directly. You won't be passed to a call center or asked to leave a message with someone who doesn't know you.
Our goal is for you to feel genuinely supported — not just at the beginning, but throughout every season of your financial life.
Questions We Hear Most Often
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Nothing. The introductory call is simply a conversation — there are no documents to prepare and nothing to bring. Just come with your questions and an open mind. If we decide to move forward to the discovery meeting, we'll talk about what information will be helpful to gather at that point.
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From the introductory call to the plan review meeting typically takes two to four weeks — depending on how quickly we can schedule meetings and how long the data gathering takes. We move at whatever pace feels comfortable for you. There's no rush.
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We believe in complete transparency about how we're compensated.
There is no cost to go through our initial 4 step process.
If you decide to become a client, we work with clients in two ways:
For women navigating divorce, we typically work on a flat consulting fee basis during the divorce process — so you know exactly what you're paying before we begin. This covers our work evaluating the financial aspects of your settlement, analyzing proposed asset divisions, and helping you plan for what comes next.
For ongoing wealth management — investment management, retirement planning, and comprehensive financial guidance — we work on a fee based on a percentage of the assets we manage together.
For clients who are interested in annuities or insurance products, we receive a commission on those products. We take potential conflicts of interest seriously and are diligent about disclosing any compensation we may receive when weighing different options together.
We're happy to discuss our specific fee structure in detail during the introductory call — before you make any commitments.
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That's exactly why the introductory call exists. You don't need to be ready — you just need to be curious. Many of the women I work with came to that first call feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure whether they even needed an advisor.
The call costs nothing, takes 15 minutes, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision. Whatever you decide afterward is completely up to you.
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This is one of the most common things I hear — and I take it seriously.
The most frequent complaint I hear from women about previous advisors is that they didn't feel heard. That their questions went unanswered in plain English. That they felt rushed, or pressured to buy something, or like their concerns weren't taken seriously.
My approach is deliberately different. I talk less about markets and more about your life. I ask more questions than I answer. I explain things clearly and patiently — without jargon, without pressure, and at whatever pace feels right for you.
The best way to experience the difference is to schedule a 15-minute call and see for yourself.
Ready to Take the First Step?
A 15-minute conversation costs nothing and could change everything.