Top business succession planning financial advisors in Bellingham, WA

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

You might need a business succession planning advisor if you're preparing to transfer ownership of your company, whether to family, partners, or new buyers. A common mistake is overlooking tax implications and timing, which can erode the value you pass on.

  • Tax-aware strategies. Look for advisors who understand Washington's unique tax landscape, including its capital gains tax on long-term assets.
  • Ownership transition options. Ask how they evaluate different paths like selling, gifting, or employee buyouts to fit your goals.
  • Legacy and family dynamics. Confirm they consider how succession affects family relationships and business continuity.
  • Coordination with legal counsel. Effective succession planning often requires close work with your attorney; check how they collaborate.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Lindsey M

Series 66

Bellingham, WA

Ameriprise

Lindsey Maphumulo is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Ameriprise in Bellingham, WA, holding 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2011. Lindsey is also employed by Scannell LLC under Ameriprise as a Private Wealth Advisor. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, notable for its Premier Retirement Income service that provides tailored retirement income planning through a structured recommendation process focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Melvin D

Series 63, Series 65, Series 66

Bellingham, WA

Baring Financial LLC

Melvin Danson is a financial advisor with Baring Financial LLC in Bellingham, WA, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Waddell & Reed, Inc. and First Allied Advisory Services, Inc., and he is also owner of Logan Danson LLC and a trustee involved in trust management. Baring Financial LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals, pension plans, trusts, and small businesses, managing approximately $210 million for over 480 clients. The firm employs a strategic asset-allocation approach with a core of passive index funds and ETFs complemented by actively managed funds, and it discloses the use of borrowing and derivatives in client accounts.

Passive / index investing Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies
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Elizabeth S

Series 65

Bellingham, WA

Trail Financial Planning LLC

Elizabeth Snyder is a financial advisor at Trail Financial Planning LLC with eight years of industry experience. She holds the Series 65 designation and has worked at Trail Financial Planning since 2017, following a prior independent advisory practice from 2002 to 2025. Outside of her advisory work, she is a partner in a rental property management business. Trail Financial Planning LLC is a fee-only firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm uses a blend of passive and active strategies informed by Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes tax efficiency and regular account reviews.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Cash flow / budgeting Tax strategies for small businesses Young Professionals Mid-Career Professionals Approaching retirement
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Megan C

Series 65

Bellingham, WA

WealthMark, LLC

Megan Cooley is a financial advisor at WealthMark, LLC with a Series 65 designation and over 11 years of industry experience. Prior to her current role, she worked at Gruff Brewing for six years. WealthMark, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and offers customized solutions including subadvisory and 529 college-savings services.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Active portfolio management
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Joseph C

Series 63, Series 65

Bellingham, WA

LPL Financial

Joseph Carpenter is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Bellingham, WA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He worked at Merrill from 1999 to 2012 before joining LPL Financial, where he has been since 2012. He also provides occasional notary public services for clients. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Ethan S

CFP®, Series 65

Auburn Hills, MI

Plante Moran financial advisors

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as a financial advisor with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management and operated Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate planning services to a diverse client base including individual households, institutional clients, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, manager search, and tax-lot accounting services.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Michael I

Series 63, Series 65

Livingston, NJ

Raymond James Financial

Michael Ipp is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors since 2010 and serves as an independent contractor for 1792 Wealth Advisors. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making, while also maintaining specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Jeffrey M

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Greenville, DE

Investment Management & Planning LLC

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Investment Management & Planning LLC and LPL Financial since 2010, following two years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing fundamental analysis and continuous supervision, and operates as both a wrap program sponsor and affiliated registered representatives of LPL Financial.

General retirement planning Business succession planning Tax strategies for small businesses Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive Mid-Career Professionals Approaching retirement
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Patrick F

Series 66

New Market, MD

Intentional

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, and LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed agent involved in the sales of fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm offers pension consulting, estate planning support, business exit planning, and due diligence on alternative investments, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and economic analysis within a fiduciary framework.

Business exit / sale strategy Multi-generational wealth transfer Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner
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Jerald L

Series 63

San Antonio, TX

Frost Investment Services

Jerald Liesman is a financial advisor at Frost Investment Services with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. and Frost Bank since 1993 and 1987, respectively. Frost Investment Services is a retail-focused, SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and managed account programs that integrate model portfolios from its affiliate with third-party managers, utilizing a research-driven investment process and providing optional tax and ESG overlay services.

Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Retirement income strategy General estate planning guidance Business succession planning Founder/Business Owner Executive
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