Do you offer an initial consultation?
Yes. For clients
interested in our investment management services, we offer a free,
no-obligation, 60-minute meeting. The general purpose of this
meeting is to see if we're a good fit for each other. It gives
you the opportunity to learn more about Aspera and to ask any
questions that you may have.
Do I have to live locally to be a client?
No. Our clients live throughout
the country. For those who are not local, our “meetings”
are conducted over the phone and by webinars.
Are your fees tax deductible?
Fees paid for advisory/planning
services may be a tax deductible item on your Schedule A, Schedule
C (if appropriate), or as a corporate expense if offered as a
benefit to executives and/or employees.
What is a fiduciary? Are you one?
A fiduciary has a legal responsibility
to put his or her clients’ best interests first. Yes, we
act in a fiduciary capacity.
Do you offer financial planning services?
Yes, however, we do not offer
comprehensive financial planning services. We've found that few
people truly need comprehensive assistance. Many of our clients
need advice on just a few planning areas, such as retirement planning
and education planning. We help our clients with these targeted
issues at no extra cost to them.
Investment
Management
Do I need a minimum
account size (in dollars) to be a client?
No. There is, however, a $3,000
minimum annual fee.
Where are my funds (money/account) kept?
Your funds/money are in your own
account in your name at your broker (ie. Schwab, Ameritrade, Fidelity,
etc.). If you don't have a broker, we will be more than happy
to help you choose one.
Do I have a say in what securities are
in my account?
The contract that our clients
sign with Aspera gives us discretion to transact on their behalf
without consulting them. It is imperative that we be permitted
to structure and rebalance our client portfolios as we best see
fit if we are to achieve the goals set forth in their investment
policy statements. For clients who wish to manage a portion of
their assets themselves, we recommend placing those funds in a
separate account.
Am I locked into a
contract?
No. We do sign a contract, which
is necessary, but either party can cancel it at any time in writing
as spelled out in the contract. There is no penalty for terminating
the contract, but you will be responsible for the payment of services
rendered up until the time of cancellation.
