Flat-fee, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in California
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.
Saving for college often starts when you want to make the most of tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts. Without careful planning, you might miss out on benefits or create unintended tax consequences.
- Account type selection. Confirm how they choose between 529s, UTMAs, or other vehicles based on your family's financial and educational goals.
- Tax impact awareness. Ask how they navigate California's high income taxes and the effects of Proposition 13 on property tax when planning savings.
- Fee transparency. Flat-fee advisors charge a set price, so understand what services are included and how that fits your budget.
- Withdrawal strategy. Inquire about their approach to timing distributions to minimize taxes and maximize aid eligibility.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Charles B
Series 63, Series 65
Los Angeles, CA
LPL Financial
Charles Bachtell specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMAs, making him well-suited for families in California aiming to optimize tax-advantaged education funding. With 35 years of experience at LPL Financial, a large firm offering both advisory and brokerage services, he provides flat-fee financial planning and consulting, distinguishing him from advisors who may charge hourly or percentage-based fees.
Experience: 35 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Aubrey W
Series 65
Goleta, CA
Open Path Financial
Aubrey Williams specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMAs, offering flat-fee financial planning services in California that include tax-efficient strategies and long-term asset allocation. With a background in defense technology and 17 years at Lockheed Martin, he brings a unique perspective to financial planning, differentiating him from others by combining industry experience with a focus on sustainable investing and comprehensive tax planning.
Experience: 2 years
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Jonathan L
Series 63, Series 65
Temecula, CA
Ameriprise
Jonathan Lopez specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMAs, making him well-suited for families in California aiming to optimize tax-advantaged education funding. With 31 years of experience and a flat-fee financial planning structure ranging from $250 to $1,000, he offers seasoned, independent advice from San Diego, complemented by his background teaching investing at Mesa College and expertise in active portfolio management and options strategies.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $471,167
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Charles V
Series 66
Healdsburg, CA
Empower Advisory Group
Charles Vezinaw specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMAs, offering flat-fee options with one-time fees ranging from $199 to $499 and monthly subscriptions of $15 or $29. With 12 years of experience and a Series 66 designation, he works at Empower Advisory Group, a large firm focused on employer-sponsored retirement plans and long-term portfolio management, which may provide broader financial planning support compared to smaller advisors.
Experience: 12 years
Avg account: $565,063
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Max P
CFP®, Series 66
Playa Del Rey, CA
Pashman Financial LLC
Max Pashman specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, making him well-suited for families in California aiming to optimize tax-advantaged education funding. His flat-fee structure offers fixed pricing for limited scope and one-time financial plans, and his firm employs a passive, asset-allocation approach with index funds, providing ongoing monitoring and educational seminars that differentiate him from advisors with more traditional fee models or active management styles.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $70,000
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