Frequently Asked Questions

What does a financial advisor do?

A financial advisor helps you organize your finances and plan for the future. We work with you to create a clear strategy for retirement, manage your investments, and adjust your plan as your life and goals evolve.

How is Oaktree Advisors different from other firms?

At Oaktree, we take a personal, relationship-driven approach to financial planning. As a family-oriented firm, we focus on helping individuals and families prepare for and navigate retirement with confidence. Our approach is centered on understanding your goals and providing guidance you can rely on over time.

How do I know if I need a financial advisor?

If you’re approaching retirement or facing important financial decisions like how to create income from your savings, when to take Social Security, or how to manage investments, working with a financial advisor can provide clarity and confidence. At Oaktree, we help simplify those decisions and create a plan so you can move forward in a clear direction.

What should I bring to my first meeting with you?

There’s no need to come fully prepared, this is just a chance for us to get to know you. Your first meeting is complimentary, so you can ask questions and learn more about how we work without any pressure. If you have them handy, bringing things like account statements or a general overview of your finances can be helpful, but we’ll walk you through everything step by step.

Is the first meeting free?

Yes. Our initial discovery meeting is complimentary and comes with no obligation

What happens in a discovery meeting?

We’ll discuss your financial goals, ask questions about your situation, and determine whether our services are a good fit for you.

Who do you typically work with?

Most of the individuals and families we work with are approaching or already in retirement and want a clear plan for the years ahead. In general, our clients have $500,000 or more in investable assets, and they value having a trusted advisor to guide them through important financial decisions over time.

Do you work in a Fiduciary capacity?

Yes. We are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest, so our recommendations are always aligned with your goals.

How do I become a client?

The first step is to schedule a complimentary meeting. We’ll learn more about your goals, answer your questions, and determine if we’re a good fit to work together.

How long does it take to become a client?

Once we decide to move forward together, the onboarding process typically takes about 1–2 weeks.

What are the next steps if I want to work with you?

Schedule a discovery meeting. From there, we’ll learn more about your goals and guide you through the next steps.

What services do you offer?

We provide comprehensive financial guidance designed to help you prepare for and navigate retirement with confidence. Our services include wealth management, income planning, 1031 real estate exchanges, Medicare and long-term care planning. Our approach is comprehensive and designed to evolve as your needs change.

What is included in a financial plan?

A financial plan is a personalized roadmap for your future. It includes retirement income planning, investment strategy, and guidance on taxes, estate planning, and insurance—designed to support your goals.

How do you choose investments for clients?

We begin by understanding your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. From there, we build a diversified investment strategy that is designed to support your overall retirement plan and adjust as your needs change over time.

What is your investment philosophy?

We focus on long-term, diversified investing designed to support your financial goals, rather than trying to time the market. Our approach emphasizes consistency, risk awareness, and tax efficiency as part of a broader retirement plan.

Can I keep my investments if I work with you?

Yes. We start by reviewing what you currently have and will recommend changes only if they align with your overall plan. In many cases, we can work with existing investments as part of your strategy.

Do you offer ESG or socially responsible investment options?

Yes. We can incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into your portfolio based on your preferences and overall financial plan.

Can you help with retirement income strategies?

Yes. We help you create a plan to turn your savings into reliable income throughout retirement, designed to support your lifestyle and adjust as your needs change.

When should I start taking Social Security?

We help you evaluate your options and choose a claiming strategy that fits your retirement income plan and long-term goals.

What are Required Minimum Distributions?

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts that begin at age 73 for most individuals. We help you plan for and manage these withdrawals as part of your overall retirement strategy.

I just inherited money — can you help?

Yes. We help you understand your options, consider any tax implications, and align the inheritance with your long-term financial goal

I’m going through a divorce- what should I do financially?

We understand this can be a difficult time. We help you organize your finances, navigate the transition, and build a plan to help protect your long-term financial future.

I lost my job — can you help me with a plan?

Yes. We help you evaluate your cash flow, benefits, and severance options, and build a plan to help you move forward with confidence during this transition.

We’re planning to sell our business — what are the steps?

We help guide business owners through the planning process for a sale, including valuation, tax strategy, and preparing a financial plan for life after the business.

I received a large bonus or stock grant — how should I handle it

We can help you understand your options, review potential tax implications, and decide how to best incorporate the proceeds into your broader financial plan.

How do I know if I can afford to retire?

We build retirement income projections based on your savings, expected expenses, and long-term goals to help you determine whether you’re ready to retire and what adjustments may be needed.

Should I pay off my mortgage before retirement?

It depends. We help you weigh the pros and cons based on your cash flow, tax situation, and overall financial goals to determine what makes the most sense for your retirement plan.

What if I’m not ready to invest yet?

That’s okay. We’re happy to answer questions and help you understand your options so you can move forward when you feel ready.

How are you compensated?

We are a fee-based firm, and most of our compensation comes from a percentage of the assets we manage on your behalf. In some cases, we may also receive insurance-related compensation when applicable.

What are your fees for investment management?

Our fees are based on assets under management and typically range from 1.00% to 1.25% annually, depending on account size. As assets increase, the overall fee rate may decrease based on our tiered schedule.

What is your minimum asset requirement?

We generally work with clients who have at least $500,000 in investable assets. In certain situations, we may make exceptions depending on your needs.

Do you help with tax planning?

Yes. We incorporate tax planning into your overall strategy to help improve long-term outcomes, though we do not prepare tax returns.

Do you prepare tax returns?

No, we do not prepare tax returns. However, we work closely with your CPA or can connect you with a trusted tax professional to ensure everything stays aligned with your financial plan.

Do you offer estate planning services?

We offer estate planning guidance and coordinate with your attorney to help ensure everything is aligned with your overall financial plan.

Can you work with my CPA and attorney?

Yes. We take a collaborative approach and are happy to coordinate with your CPA, attorney, and other professionals to ensure everything stays aligned with your financial plan.

Do you have a client portal?

Yes. Our secure client portal provides access to your accounts, financial plan, and important documents in one convenient place.

Is my information secure?

Yes. We use secure systems and industry-standard safeguards to help protect your personal and financial information.

Can I meet with my advisor virtually?

Yes. We offer both virtual and in-person meetings for your convenience.

What is a 1031 exchange?

A 1031 exchange is a tax-deferral strategy that allows investors to reinvest proceeds from the sale of investment real estate into another qualifying investment property.

What types of properties qualify for a 1031 exchange?

Most real estate held for investment or business purposes may qualify for a 1031 exchange, including residential rentals, commercial properties, and certain DST investments.

What is a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST)?

A DST is a passive real estate ownership structure that can qualify for 1031 exchange treatment while providing access to professionally managed properties.

What are the benefits of using a DST in a 1031 exchange?

Many investors use DSTs to simplify property ownership while gaining access to diversified real estate and potential passive income.

How long do I have to complete a 1031 exchange?

IRS guidelines allow 45 days after the sale of your property to identify replacement investments and 180 days to finalize the exchange.

Do I have to reinvest all of my proceeds?

To fully defer capital gains taxes, investors generally must reinvest all proceeds into replacement property of equal or greater value.

Can I complete a 1031 exchange after my property has already sold?

In some cases, yes. However, because IRS deadlines are strict, it is best to begin discussing your exchange strategy before the sale closes.

What is a Qualified Intermediary?

A Qualified Intermediary is an independent third party that holds your sale proceeds during the exchange process as required by IRS rules.

Can a 1031 exchange help reduce property management responsibilities?

A 1031 exchange into a DST may allow investors to maintain real estate exposure while reducing day-to-day management responsibilities.

Can you help coordinate my 1031 exchange?

Yes. We work alongside your CPA, Qualified Intermediary, and other professionals to help coordinate the exchange process and support your financial goals.