Top general estate planning guidance financial advisors in Durham, NC
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 general estate planning guidance if you're organizing your assets to protect your family or planning for how your estate will be managed after your passing. A common mistake is overlooking how state tax rules and local laws affect your plan, which can lead to unintended consequences.
- State-specific knowledge. Confirm the advisor understands North Carolina's flat income tax and how local growth trends might impact your estate.
- Comprehensive asset review. Ask how they incorporate all asset types, including digital and non-traditional holdings, into your plan.
- Beneficiary coordination. Ensure they help align beneficiary designations with your overall estate strategy to avoid conflicts.
- Plan flexibility. Inquire about how they update your plan to reflect life changes and evolving laws, keeping your wishes current.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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R F
Series 63, Series 65
Chapel Hill, NC
Morgan Stanley
R Flintom offers general estate planning guidance with 32 years of experience and holds Series 63 and 65 designations, operating from Chapel Hill near Durham. Affiliated with Morgan Stanley, a large firm managing $2.74 trillion in assets, he provides structured financial planning using firm-approved tools, which may offer more comprehensive resources compared to smaller firms in the area.
Experience: 32 years
Avg account: $670,481
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Tamra E
Series 66
Durham, NC
Edward Jones
Tamra Ellis offers expertise in general estate planning guidance with 15 years of experience at Edward Jones in Durham, NC, a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets. Her approach includes a comprehensive wealth management service with discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, providing flexibility and a broad range of advisory programs compared to smaller firms.
Experience: 15 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Tim I
CFP®
Durham, NC
Iseler Financial
Tim Iseler offers general estate planning guidance in Durham, NC, with a focus on clients like artists, creatives, and self-employed millennials. His flat-fee service models and CFP® certification provide flexible options, while his background in the music industry gives him unique insight into unconventional financial lives, setting him apart from other advisors in the area.
Experience: 7 years
Avg account: $153,764
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Kathleen S
CFP®, Series 63
Durham, NC
Scharl Advisory Services, Inc.
Kathleen Scharl offers general estate planning guidance in Durham, NC, leveraging 23 years of experience and CFP® certification to address local tax rules and asset coordination. Her independent firm uses a strategic core-and-satellite investment approach and provides flat and hourly fee options, distinguishing her from others by combining estate planning with retirement, tax, and education funding expertise.
Experience: 23 years
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Amber S
VerifiedSeries 63, Series 65, Series 7
Durham, NC
TARA Wealth
Amber Schiffert offers general estate planning guidance in Durham, NC, with seven years of experience and expertise in business ownership considerations and retirement income strategy. Her firm, TARA Wealth, serves individuals and businesses with a flat-fee structure starting at $1,000 for planning setup, emphasizing passive investment management through index funds and ETFs, which may appeal to clients seeking cost-effective, comprehensive wealth management.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $372,087
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