Top gifting strategies financial advisors in Downers Grove, IL

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 consider a gifting strategies advisor if you're planning to transfer wealth to family or charities while managing tax impacts. A common mistake is overlooking how gift timing and amounts affect your overall financial plan and potential tax liabilities.

  • Tax impact awareness. Confirm how they navigate gift tax rules and coordinate with your broader tax situation, especially given Illinois' property tax environment.
  • Long-term planning. Ask how they integrate gifting with your retirement income and estate goals to avoid unintended financial strain.
  • Recipient considerations. Inquire about strategies tailored to different beneficiaries, balancing immediate needs with future benefits.
  • Coordination with professionals. Ensure they work alongside your estate attorney or tax preparer to align gifting with legal and tax frameworks.

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

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John G

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

Bentley Financial Group

John Gritis is a financial advisor with Bentley Financial Group and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 39 years of industry experience and has been with Bentley Financial Group since 2014. Prior to this, he worked at LPL Financial starting in 2009 and has operated his own firm, Domino, Gritis & Co., since 1976. Gritis is also a one-third owner of a manufacturing company and provides tax preparation and corporate accounting services through his accounting firm. Bentley Financial Group provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $393 million in discretionary client assets, employing fundamental analysis and third-party managers, while offering a range of LPL-sponsored managed account programs and a proprietary wrap program.

Options & derivatives strategies Wealth management
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Matthew K

CFP®, CFA®

Downers Grove, IL

Opus Financial Solutions LLC

Matthew Kunst is a CFP® and CFA® with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Opus Financial Solutions LLC since 2017 and previously spent eight years at MMK Financial Services. Opus Financial Solutions provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, business owners, executives, trusts, and other entities, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes integrated tax and accounting support alongside investment management, utilizing a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative investments when appropriate.

Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management Retirement income strategy Roth conversion strategy Private / alternative investments
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James C

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

Wells Fargo Advisors

James Cannan is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 45 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network since 2016 and also owns Yorkshire Financial Advisors Inc., a financial planning practice based in Downers Grove, IL. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and investment services, including specialized planning for business-owner transitions, special-needs analysis, and divorce planning, delivered through a network of financial advisors.

Divorce financial planning Planning for children with special needs Business exit / sale strategy Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner

Ryan K

Series 66

Downers Grove, IL

Edward Jones

Ryan Knudsen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Downers Grove, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he participates as a member of the Center Of Influence in Darien, IL. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a broad network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions under a fiduciary standard.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Lisa M

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

LPL Financial

Lisa Mccarthy is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 12 years of industry experience. She worked at Wayne Hummer Investments L.L.C. for 10 years before rejoining LPL Financial in 2025. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides financial planning and a variety of investment management options, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies, supported by technology tools for operational and research purposes.

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

Christopher F

Series 66

Spirit Lake, IA

Edward Jones

Christopher Fuhrman is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2019, he worked for ten years at Pelzer Law Firm. He owns and oversees operations of a family-owned ambulance service and a non-profit ambulance service in Iowa. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including pension plans and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs with discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

General estate planning guidance Business exit / sale strategy Business succession planning Charitable giving & philanthropy Gifting strategies Attorney
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Krista W

CFP®

Olympia, WA

SoundView Advisors

Krista Wallace is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving at SoundView Advisors. Prior to joining SoundView in 2020, she worked at Zeiders Enterprises for six years. She serves as a Trustee and Finance Elder at University Place Presbyterian Church, contributing to the financial oversight of the organization. SoundView Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm customizes portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, and sub-advisors, with ongoing monitoring and coordination with clients’ attorneys and accountants.

Equity compensation tax strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Gifting strategies Wealth management

Cody T

Series 66

Nashville, TN

Merrill

Cody Tellis is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the founder of The Tellis Group, established to provide a unified source for comprehensive wealth management. With over 25 years of experience across the private and public sectors, Cody's professional background combines business ownership, banking, tax planning, and law. This diverse experience equips him to address the unique opportunities and challenges associated with significant wealth. Cody holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Trinity Law School and a Master’s Degree from St. Thomas University, enhancing his ability to offer informed financial insights to his clients. His areas of focus include tax-sensitive trust and estate planning services, financial services for nonprofits, business succession planning, individual and corporate captive insurance, college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Cody does not provide legal or tax advice in his role with Merrill and advises clients to consult appropriate professionals for these services. Outside of his professional life, Cody enjoys music, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Charitable giving & philanthropy Gifting strategies Family Business

Garrett J

Series 63, Series 66

Salt Lake City, UT

Fidelity

Garrett Jensen is the Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he supports clients and their families in implementing and monitoring financial plans, with a focus on tax-efficient investing, gifting, estate planning considerations, and other areas of financial planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP4) designation and is licensed to provide insurance services in Arkansas and California. Garrett has been with Fidelity Investments since 2016, progressing through various roles including Financial Consultant, Planning Consultant, PAS Portfolio Specialist, and Workplace Planning Consultant. His career path reflects experience in portfolio management, workplace planning, and high net worth client services. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Garrett enjoys biking, golf, reading, and skiing.

General estate planning guidance Charitable giving & philanthropy Gifting strategies Tax-loss harvesting Wealth management
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Kylee H

Series 65

Columbia, SC

Hobbs Group Advisors LLC

Kylee Holderied is a financial advisor at Hobbs Group Advisors LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Onthemarc Catering. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC provides investment advice to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, combining portfolio oversight with financial planning, and uses client interviews and risk-tolerance questionnaires to develop individualized investment policies.

Wealth management Gifting strategies Founder/Business Owner Retired
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