STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICES
THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
Align Your Finances with Your Life Goals
A successful financial plan is about more than portfolio performance. It’s the pathway that takes you from where you are today to where you truly want to be. That’s why the EP Wealth Advisors® financial planning process starts with forging a strong relationship between you and your financial advisor. We partner with you to understand your goals and help you prioritize and organize your financial decisions—so you can achieve greater peace of mind and live life on your own terms.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL PLANNING?
A Pathway From Where You Are to Where You Want to Go
Financial Planning starts by organizing your finances and investments, so you have a clear picture of your net worth. From there, you identify your most important life goals to prioritize your spending and saving. Taking into consideration investments, insurance requirements, estate plans, and tax strategies, we’ll help you create a budget to cover today’s needs, anticipate tomorrow’s circumstances, and plan a path to future rewards.
EVERY SOLID FINANCIAL PLAN INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- Budget and tax: What's your current income and expenses, and how might it change over time?
- Liquidity: What assets do you have that can be quickly turned into cash if needed?
- Large purchase financing: Do you have sufficient funds for a down-payment and know how much you can afford to finance?
- Risk management: Which assets should you protect with insurance coverage and how much?
- Investments: How can you grow your wealth with stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate?
- Retirement and estate planning: When can you stop working? Who will inherit from you?
- Bookkeeping: Do you keep safe and accessible financial records and communicate your wishes to family members?
Ready to get started? A financial health assessment is an important first step.
FINANCIAL HEALTH CHECK-UP
For investors with more than $500,000,
talk to us about a free Financial Health Assessment today!
Are you prepared for the unexpected?
Life is full of surprises. But foresight and planning can equip you to handle the unforeseen. Your Financial Advisor team will craft a detailed personal financial plan.
PROJECTIONS
ANALYSIS
INVESTING
TRUST SERVICES
INCOME
PLANNING
EXECUTIVE
COMP
(EQUITY &
STOCK OPTION
PLANNING)
GIVING
PLANNING
WHY CHOOSE EP WEALTH?
EP Wealth Advisors Financial Planning Process
Here’s our proven 4-step process for helping you develop a financial plan to meet all your life goals:
HOW TO CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN
Annual financial planning creates a snapshot of where you are financially at this moment in time. Once you have a clearer picture of what’s coming in and what’s going out, you’ll be able to set goals for enjoying the fruits of your labor, while also setting aside enough to cover emergencies and future endeavors like starting a business, retiring, or making a substantial charitable donation. EP Wealth is prepared to help you every step of the way, from gathering the information you will need, to crafting a plan focused on your personal priorities.
Have recent life changes made it necessary to update your financial plan? Connect with a financial advisor at EP Wealth to discuss which strategic adjustments make the most sense for your personal goals.
WHY USE A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
6 Reasons to Work With a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) has the education and experience necessary to help you create a comprehensive financial plan. Every CFP at EP Wealth must:
- Passed an exam that covers insurance, investing, taxes, retirement, and estate planning
- Passed a background check, which includes mandatory disclosure of any felonies or bankruptcies
- Commit to the Board's code of ethics and rules of conduct that puts client interests first
- Accrue at least 6,000 hours (or 3 years), or 4,000 hours (~2 years) of apprenticeship experience performing financial planning services
- Complete 30 hours of continuing education credits (including 2 hours of ethics coursework) every 2 years
To summarize: you should choose to work with a Certified Financial Planner for their education, certifications, accountability, experience, and commitment to ongoing learning. Choosing a CFP as your personal financial advisor gives you a holistic view of your finances that takes every aspect of your life into consideration, ensuring that every facet of your financial strategy works together harmoniously to get you where you’d like to be.
OUR DIVERSE CLIENT ROSTER
SPEAKS TO OUR EXPERIENCE
Find Financial Advisors Near You
EP Wealth has provided financial advice for retirees, executives, entertainment professionals, professional athletes, engineers, doctors, lawyers, divorcees, widows/widowers, LGBTQ community, real estate investment owners, foundations, and small business owners. Connect with an advisor near you.
Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE)
The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is centered on achieving financial freedom through disciplined saving, investing, and strategic planning. While some aim to retire decades ahead of the traditional timeline, others pursue financial independence to gain greater flexibility in their careers and lifestyles.
Key Tenets of FIRE:
- High Savings Rate – Many FIRE followers save 50%–75% of their income to build wealth quickly.
- Frugal Living – Prioritizing needs over wants helps reduce expenses and accelerate financial growth.
- Smart Investing – FIRE strategies often rely on diversified portfolios, real estate, and tax-advantaged accounts.
- The Rule of 25 – Many aim to save 25 times their annual expenses before leaving full-time work.
- The 4% Withdrawal Rule – A common strategy involves withdrawing 3%–4% of assets annually to fund retirement.
- Lifestyle Flexibility – Adjusting spending based on market conditions helps sustain long-term financial independence.
How We Support Your FIRE Goals
We help you build a retirement planning strategy that balances financial security with flexibility.
✔ Investment Planning – Structuring a portfolio to support long-term growth and sustainable withdrawals.
✔ Tax-Efficient Strategies – Managing assets to reduce tax liabilities over your lifetime.
✔ Retirement Account Access – Identifying the best ways to tap into savings before traditional retirement age.
✔ Healthcare Planning – Preparing for medical costs once employer-sponsored insurance is no longer available.
In addition to these core areas, we help clients develop cash flow strategies that align with their FIRE timeline and navigate estate planning to intended to protect their wealth for the long term. Whether you're pursuing Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, or something in between, our team provides guidance tailored to your goals.
Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Management
Cryptocurrency and digital assets are an evolving part of today’s financial landscape. Managing these assets within a broader financial plan requires a thoughtful approach to risk, security, and regulation.
We help you:
✔ Assess risk and volatility – understanding how digital assets fit into your portfolio
✔ Navigate tax reporting requirements – learning how to potentially avoid common pitfalls and penalties
✔ Plan for security – strategies on how you can protect your assets from fraud and loss
✔ Incorporate digital assets into your financial plan – Evaluating how cryptocurrencies fit within your broader investment strategy
Whether you're an active crypto investor or hold digital assets as a small part of your portfolio, we help you navigate key considerations like risk, security, and tax implications.
Financial Planning for Modern Family Structures
Families today take many forms, and financial planning should reflect that. Whether you're part of a blended family, same-sex partnership, single-parent household, or multi-generational home, your wealth management and tax planning strategies may involve unique considerations for asset ownership, inheritance, and long-term financial security.
We offer guidance on:
✔ Estate and legacy planning – options in protecting assets and honoring your wishes
✔ Strategies for managing shared assets – coordinating finances to support your family's evolving needs
✔ Education funding – planning for children, grandchildren, or other dependents
✔ Retirement savings – preparing for long-term security across generations
A well-structured plan can provide a strong foundation for your family's financial future.
Navigating Career Transitions and Major Life Events
Big changes—whether planned or unexpected—can have a significant impact on your financial future. Whether you’re changing careers, selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or going through a major life event like marriage or divorce, having a financial strategy in place can help you move forward with confidence.
Considerations During Life Transitions:
✔ Career Changes or Entrepreneurship – Managing income shifts, stock options, and retirement contributions
✔ Inheritances and Windfalls – Structuring assets wisely to align with long-term financial goals
✔ Marriage, Divorce, or Family Changes – Adjusting financial plans, tax strategies, and estate documents
✔ Relocation or Real Estate Decisions – Evaluating how moving impacts investments, taxes, and cost of living
During times of change, financial planning provides clarity and reduces risks. Whatever your life situation, EP Wealth Advisors can create a plan that reflects your short- and long-term financial goals.
Healthcare and Related Costs
Medical expenses can be a significant part of any long-term financial plan, especially in retirement. Taking proactive steps now can help you manage these costs effectively.
✔ Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – Tax-advantaged savings for medical expenses before and during retirement
✔ Long-Term Care Planning – Exploring options for future healthcare needs and potential costs
✔ Insurance Decisions – Evaluating health, disability, and long-term care coverage
✔ Retirement Healthcare Strategies – Structuring your finances to support medical expenses without added stress
With rising healthcare costs, planning ahead can help you better prepare for future expenses and make informed financial decisions. Whether you're preparing for routine expenses or long-term care, we help you develop a strategy that fits your overall financial picture.