1. What is the value of working with your firm beyond investing money?
Investment management is an important part of what we do, but we view it as the starting point—not the entire financial plan.
Our greatest value comes from looking beyond the portfolio and helping coordinate the different pieces of your financial life. Once your investments are aligned with your goals, our conversations continue to evolve as your life does. That may include preparing for retirement, planning for the sale or transition of a business, coordinating tax strategies, protecting what you’ve built, or making sure your wealth ultimately passes to the people and causes that matter most to you.
Our goal is to understand the full picture of your wealth and be a long-term partner as your needs, priorities, and circumstances change.
For someone primarily looking for investment management without the broader planning relationship, our approach may offer more than they need. We’re best suited for individuals and families who value having a team that can help bring all the pieces of their financial life together.
2. What is the minimum amount of assets required to become a client?
Our process adds the most value when we're managing at least $1 million in investable assets. That said, we're always glad to have a conversation — to understand your situation, share some initial guidance, and help point you in the right direction. Our goal is to make sure everyone has the answers they need to work toward their financial goals, whether or not you become a client.
3. Are you a fiduciary?
Yes. Our advisory client relationships operate through our Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), where we're compensated through an advisory fee based on the assets we manage rather than commissions. That fee structure is what creates our fiduciary duty — a legal obligation to act in your best interest at all times.
4. What is your fee structure?
Our fees are an annual percentage based on the total assets we manage across the whole family — the more assets under advisement, the lower the percentage. The specific calculation can vary slightly depending on the custodial platform and other factors.
5. How are you compensated — fees, commissions, or both?
Our advisory clients work with us through our RIA, where we are compensated through an ongoing advisory fee. You can view our advisory fee schedule above.
In certain situations, we may also recommend products that pay a commission, such as 529 plans, certain annuity products, life insurance, or long-term care insurance. These recommendations are made only when we believe they are appropriate for your individual circumstances and serve your overall financial goals.
Whenever we make a recommendation, we believe it's important for you to understand how we are compensated, and we are transparent about any associated fees or commissions.
6. What do the fees cover?
Our advisory fee covers investment management, guidance on advanced planning issues, and the time we spend coordinating with your broader professional team. This includes:
- Cash flow planning
- Retirement income planning
- Tax planning
- Wealth transfer questions
- Charitable planning
We work with a select group of clients so we can offer a deep level of service. Because of that, it's important for us to understand whether a client is comfortable delegating this part of their financial life to a team they see as a true partner — we're not simply investment managers picking stocks. The fee is all-encompassing, not just an investment management charge.
7. What services are included beyond investment management (tax, estate, charitable giving, etc.)?
Most of our clients come to us for investment management, but given the complexity of their situations, we also help address five key concerns:
- Tax management and cash flow — keeping more of what you earn by looking closely at cash flow and tax strategy
- Wealth transfer — making sure your children or heirs are taken care of
- Asset protection and wealth preservation — protecting what matters most through asset protection,
preservation strategies, and risk management - Charitable giving — once you and your family are taken care of, helping you make the impact you want on
the causes you care about - Relationship management and professional coordination — staying in touch as your life changes, keeping
your plan aligned with those changes, and making sure the appropriate expertise is at the table for your planning
needs
We think of ourselves less as traditional advisors and more as transition specialists — helping clients navigate the major changes in their financial lives.
8. Are there any fees for the consultation process?
No. The initial consultation is complimentary — it's simply an opportunity for us to get to know each other and determine whether we're a good fit to work together.
9. What happens during the onboarding process, and how long does it take?
Onboarding is a chance for us to get to know each other. While we have a general timeline in mind, the pace is set by what works for you. We would rather take the time to do it right and make sure it’s a mutual fit.
Our Process: How We Work
10. How often will we meet, and what does that depend on?
As a client, how often we meet depends on the complexity of your situation. As a general rule, meeting at least twice a year keeps us current on life changes and lets us make any needed adjustments to your plan. When you first become a client, we tend to meet more frequently to build a strong foundation. After that, we settle into a cadence that fits you. For most clients, that tends to be quarterly.
11. Are all meetings in person or via Zoom?
Whatever's most convenient for you — phone, Zoom, or in person. We're flexible.
12. Who will I be working with day-to-day on my account?
Our wealth advisors are your main point of contact for strategy and technical questions. Veronica Abu-Lail, our Client Relations Manager, coordinates meetings between you and the JKWA team and helps organize client events. Danissa Rodriguez, our Client Service Manager, handles administrative and account-related matters.
13. Do you have people on staff for tax returns or estate planning?
We don’t have those specialists in-house, but we maintain strategic resources with CPAs and estate attorneys. That gives us the flexibility to bring in the appropriate professional for each client’s needs. If you already have your own CPA or attorney, we’re glad to coordinate with them directly.
14. Do you only work with clients in the state of Texas?
No — we work with clients across the country, not just in Texas.