Top gifting strategies financial advisors 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

Chicago, IL

Merrill

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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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 Active portfolio management General estate planning guidance Retired
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Michael H

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

LPL Financial

Michael Hankes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2006. Hankes is a 20% partner in an LLC involved in investment-related activities outside his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and research.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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Kristine I

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Morgan Stanley

Kristine Iverson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 31 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services that include estate planning and structured investment approaches.

General estate planning guidance
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Roland S

Series 63, Series 65

Olympia Fields, IL

Valic Financial Advisors

Roland Szilard is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Olympia Fields, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2006 and is also affiliated with Agia since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, Szilard serves as a board member involved in organizing youth soccer training and play activities and acts as a youth soccer referee. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages approximately $29.2 billion and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions to support its client base of nearly 300,000 across more than 1,200 advisors.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Retirement income strategy

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 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 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

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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