Frequently Asked Questions

Many clients reach out when their finances become more complex, such as multiple accounts, growing income, major life changes, or decisions around retirement and investments. If you are unsure how the pieces fit together, a financial advisor may help provide a more organized framework for review.

As a sole proprietorship, clients work directly with Trey Kerns rather than a large team. The focus is on building a planning-centered relationship, simplifying complex decisions, and reviewing a personalized financial strategy as life and goals evolve over time.

Ongoing advisory services billed as a percentage of assets under management, with fees disclosed in writing before the advisory relationship begins

This engagement includes a review of your financial situation, organization of relevant accounts and goals, and general recommendations based on the scope of the planning engagement.

Ongoing clients receive:

• Investment management

• Personalized financial planning

• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments

• Semiannual reviews and continuous support

No. Many clients start with a planning engagement first. If ongoing management makes sense, we’ll guide you through that process step by step.

We primarily utilize professionally managed investment portfolios built by established asset managers. These portfolios are built around institutional-level research, diversification, and disciplined investment processes.

This approach allows us to focus on reviewing how investments fit within the broader financial plan, rather than evaluating investments in isolation.

Yes. While professionally managed portfolios may be appropriate for many clients, custom portfolios may be considered when appropriate based on specific goals, preferences, constraints, or unique financial situations.

Our goal is to recommend an approach that appears appropriate based on the client’s goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, preferences, and broader financial circumstances.

Professionally managed portfolios may provide:

• Broad diversification

• Ongoing oversight and rebalancing

• Institutional research and risk-aware portfolio construction

• A disciplined framework across changing market conditions

We believe a thoughtful investment process is less about picking individual winners and more about maintaining a disciplined, well-structured strategy that can be reviewed over time.

Our role is to act as your advisor and strategist. That includes:

• Selecting and monitoring appropriate portfolios

• Aligning investments with your financial plan

• Coordinating investments with retirement planning, tax-aware planning considerations, and risk management

• Reviewing potential adjustments as life and goals evolve

Our focus is not on short-term market outperformance. Instead, we emphasize a disciplined, long-term investment process intended to support client goals while reviewing risk in light of time horizon, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and broader financial circumstances. Investment strategies do not guarantee profit or protect against loss.

Portfolios are monitored on an ongoing basis, and we conduct formal reviews at least twice per year, with additional reviews or adjustments considered when circumstances warrant.

Retirement readiness is about more than savings. We review income sources, investments, tax-aware planning considerations, spending needs, and withdrawal planning to help evaluate whether the plan appears aligned with retirement goals.

Legacy planning focuses on how assets are structured, coordinated, and eventually transferred in a way that reflects long-term family goals. This may include reviewing beneficiary designations, estate planning considerations, account titling, and coordination with qualified legal professionals.

Yes. We work with business owners to review how business income, personal planning, investment strategy, retirement goals, and future transition planning may fit together.

Yes. As a registered investment adviser, Kerns Legacy Planning acts as a fiduciary when providing investment advisory services.

Clients work directly with the same advisor throughout the relationship. This can support a more personal and relationship-driven planning experience.

We begin with a conversation to understand your goals and current situation. From there, you can choose between a one-time plan or ongoing advisory relationship depending on your needs.

No. There is no obligation after the introductory meeting. The purpose is to understand your questions, explain how the firm works, and determine whether there may be a mutual fit.

Kerns Legacy Planning does not provide tax or legal advice. We may help clients identify planning questions related to taxes, estate planning, beneficiary designations, retirement accounts, and other financial matters, but clients should consult qualified tax and legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

An advisory relationship begins only after the required agreements and disclosure documents have been reviewed and signed. An introductory meeting, website inquiry, or general conversation does not create an advisory relationship.

Client assets are held with qualified third-party custodians. Kerns Legacy Planning does not maintain physical custody of client assets.