Top advisors focused on gifting strategies in Illinois

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 gifting strategies if you're planning to transfer wealth to family or friends while managing tax impacts. A common mistake is overlooking the annual gift tax exclusion limits, which can lead to unexpected tax liabilities.

  • Gift tax rules. Confirm how the advisor navigates annual exclusion amounts and lifetime exemptions to minimize tax consequences.
  • Timing and sequencing. Ask how they recommend scheduling gifts over multiple years to optimize tax benefits.
  • Asset selection. Inquire which types of assets they suggest gifting first and why, considering potential appreciation and tax basis.
  • Coordination with estate plans. Ensure they integrate gifting strategies with your overall estate planning goals to avoid conflicts or gaps.

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

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Kevin H

Series 63, Series 65

Schaumburg, IL

Merrill

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor at Merrill with 31 years of industry experience. He has held positions at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. Hanrahan holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Merrill serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, third-party manager selection, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm integrates deeply with Bank of America affiliates and emphasizes managed account and manager-selection capabilities across multiple program strategies.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Executive Founder/Business Owner Mid-Career Professionals HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet)
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Kristin M

Series 66

Mt Pleasant, SC

Primerica Advisors

Kristin Manna is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and Consolidated Planning Holdings, Inc. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked in education for eight years. Outside of advising, Kristin is an author and publisher of a basketball coaching notebook and works as a math tutor for high school students. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base with a range of brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and investment vehicles.

Business exit / sale strategy Tax-loss harvesting Self-Employed Founder/Business Owner
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Charles B

Series 63, Series 65

Los Angeles, CA

LPL Financial

Charles Bachtell is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Western International Securities, Inc. for 13 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as President and Managing Partner of the Academy of California Examinations, which provides exam preparation for financial services licensing. LPL Financial offers advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm provides a variety of investment delivery options supported by an in-house Research team and accommodates both advisory and brokerage services tailored to client needs.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Jessica S

Series 65

Aurora, IL

Rezny Wealth Management, Inc.

Jessica Stanley is a financial advisor at Rezny Wealth Management, Inc. in Aurora, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Rezny Wealth Management since 2009. Rezny Wealth Management primarily serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, offering discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning on a fee-only basis. The firm manages approximately $506 million in client assets, utilizing a Global Tactical Opportunity Portfolios framework that combines quantitative and fundamental analysis across a range of investment styles.

Annuities

Anthony L

Series 63, Series 65

St. Louis, MO

Fidelity

Anthony Lyons is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he works alongside a team of financial professionals to provide guidance aimed at helping clients achieve peace of mind and live with purpose. He focuses on actively listening to clients' concerns and suggesting courses of action to support their financial goals. Anthony has held various roles in the financial services industry since 2016, including positions as a Financial Advisor at PNCI and Edward Jones, Private Wealth Advisor at Regions Bank, and Vice President-Planning & Development Manager at Arvest Wealth Management. His experience spans several organizations, reflecting a broad background in financial consulting and wealth management. Outside of his professional work, Anthony has interests in baseball, cars, football, and social events with friends.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Active portfolio management Financial Professional

Christopher F

Series 66

Spirit Lake, IA

Edward Jones

Christopher Fuhrman is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with six years of industry experience. He held a position at Pelzer Law Firm for ten years prior to joining Edward Jones in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, Fuhrman owns and oversees management of Estherville Ambulance Service, Inc., and is involved with Lakes Area Ambulance Service, a nonprofit organization operating in Iowa. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including households of varied net worth, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Charitable giving & philanthropy Gifting strategies Inheritance planning Attorney
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Krista W

CFP®

Olympia, WA

SoundView Advisors

Krista Wallace is a CFP® professional with five years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at SoundView Advisors since 2020 and previously spent six years at Zeiders Enterprises. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a Trustee and Finance Elder at University Place Presbyterian Church. SoundView Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm emphasizes customized asset allocation and ongoing account management, with a focus on tailored portfolios and formal quarterly reviews.

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 Executive Founder/Business Owner Mid-Career Professionals HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet)

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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