Top trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable) financial advisors in Gaithersburg, MD

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.

If you are managing significant assets and want to pass wealth efficiently, you might consider trust structures like GRATs (grantor retained annuity trusts), IDGTs (intentionally defective grantor trusts), or revocable trusts. A common mistake is underestimating how state estate and inheritance taxes can affect your plan, especially in Maryland where both apply.

  • Tax impact awareness. Confirm how the advisor accounts for Maryland's unique estate and inheritance taxes in trust planning.
  • Trust type suitability. Ask why a particular trust structure fits your goals, not just general trust benefits.
  • Long-term flexibility. Understand how revocable trusts can adapt to changes in your family or tax laws over time.
  • Coordination with estate documents. Ensure the advisor integrates trusts smoothly with wills and powers of attorney to avoid conflicts.

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

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Martin D

Series 66

Montgomery Village, MD

Fidelity

Martin Depetris is a financial advisor at Fidelity with seven years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, H. Beck, and Scottrade, as well as four years at Fidelity Investments, LLC. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund and registered investment companies. The firm employs a systematic investment approach that combines proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Active portfolio management
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Matthew B

CFP®, Series 66

Gaithersburg, MD

MAI Capital Management, LLC

Matthew Bacon is a CFP® professional with 14 years of experience in financial advisory. He currently works at MAI Capital Management, LLC and has held previous roles at Carmichael Hill & Associates, University Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, MSI Financial Services, and New England Securities. MAI Capital Management, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, institutional clients, and sports professionals. The firm employs a range of portfolio management strategies and serves as both product sponsor and adviser to mutual funds and private investment vehicles.

Private / alternative investments Business exit / sale strategy Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable) Tax strategies for small businesses Founder/Business Owner
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Cornell A

Series 65

Gaithersburg, MD

Beacon Investment Advisors LLC

Cornell Abod is the sole advisor at Beacon Investment Advisors LLC with a Series 65 credential and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Beacon since 2003 and is also the owner of C.P. Abod & Co., LLC, an accounting firm, as well as Beacon RPC, LLC, a retirement plan consulting company. Beacon Investment Advisors LLC provides discretionary wealth management, portfolio management, and financial and retirement planning services to individuals, families, high-net-worth households, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $542 million in discretionary assets and uses fundamental analysis to develop client-specific investment plans that often include diversified portfolios and derivative strategies.

Active portfolio management Concentrated stock management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments
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Mariah L

Series 66

Gaithersburg, MD

LPL Financial

Mariah Lightfoot is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, based in Gaithersburg, MD, and has eight years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2019 and previously held roles at Mass Mutual Investors Services, Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co, MGM National Harbor, and Capella University. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions and supports its advisors with proprietary research, third-party strategies, and various operational tools.

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

Series 63, Series 65

Gaithersburg, MD

Transamerica Financial Advisors

Robert Costello is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at several firms including Grove Point Investments, H. Beck, and Prudential. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in rental property management. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a wide range of clients including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, utilizing proprietary and third-party model portfolios across discretionary and non-discretionary platforms.

ESG / Sustainable investing Concentrated stock management Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Neil H

CFA®, Series 63

Cincinnati, OH

MAI Capital Management, LLC

Neil Hantak Jr. is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at MAI Capital Management, LLC since 2019. He previously worked at John Dovich and Associates and The Randolph Co. MAI Capital Management, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers customized portfolio management across multiple strategies and incorporates financial planning and tax services into its client relationships.

Private / alternative investments Business exit / sale strategy Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable) Tax strategies for small businesses Founder/Business Owner
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Justin K

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Savannah, GA

The Fiduciary Group

Justin Kohler is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at The Fiduciary Group. His prior roles include positions at Sharp Wealth Advisory, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Sharp Financial Services, and AXA Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, he assists with the operations of a marketing and media company owned by his wife. The Fiduciary Group serves high-net-worth individuals and families, providing discretionary investment management for trusts, estates, nonprofits, and retirement plans. The firm employs a structured investment approach with multiple strategy profiles and integrates with the Focus Financial Partners platform to offer clients access to a broad range of financial solutions.

Private / alternative investments Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable) Business exit / sale strategy Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired

Matthew B

Series 66

Newport Beach, CA

Merrill

Matthew Benefiel is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, he collaborates with families, individuals, and businesses to develop customized wealth management strategies. His expertise includes portfolio design, manager selection, investment due diligence, and performance evaluation. He utilizes a disciplined process to build custom portfolios aligned with clients' objectives and regularly assesses investments to adapt to changing needs and market conditions. Additionally, Matthew employs Merrill Personal Wealth Analysis® to develop personalized financial plans that establish clear goals and track progress. Matthew joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2017 as a Financial Advisor for the Benefiel Group. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Biola University and maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Furthermore, he has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Residing in Phoenix, Arizona, Matthew lives with his wife, Heather, and their daughter, Ruby. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys playing golf and supporting the Phoenix Suns basketball team.

Wealth management
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Clark G

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Overland Park, KS

Visionary Wealth Advisors, LLC

Clark Gay is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Visionary Wealth Advisors, LLC and has worked there since 2020. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Financial Engines Advisor Center, LLC, continuing with Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. since 2016. Visionary Wealth Advisors provides financial planning, consulting, and investment management to a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, business entities, and retirement plans. The firm employs model-based strategies and separately managed accounts, combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis within an asset-allocation framework grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory.

General retirement planning Wealth management Charitable giving & philanthropy Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable)

Todd B

Series 63, Series 66

Annapolis, MD

Fidelity

Todd Batty is the Vice President Private Wealth Management Advisor. In this role, he assists multiple generations of families in developing personalized wealth strategies focused on growth, preservation, and transfer of their assets. He collaborates with a team that includes an Investment Manager, a Senior Wealth Planner, and a Trust Officer to provide comprehensive wealth planning services. Todd has been with Fidelity Investments since 2008, initially serving as Vice President, Financial Consultant until 2015, and then advancing to his current position. Prior to that, he worked as an Account Coordinator at T. Rowe Price from 2002 to 2007.

Wealth management General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Charitable giving & philanthropy Trust structures (GRAT, IDGT, revocable)
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