Top general estate planning guidance financial advisors in Modesto, CA

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 potential incapacity. Without clear planning, you risk leaving your estate subject to lengthy probate or unintended tax burdens.

  • Property tax considerations. Ask how they incorporate California's Proposition 13, which can limit property tax increases, into your estate plan.
  • Asset distribution clarity. Confirm they help create documents that clearly specify who inherits what, reducing family disputes.
  • Incapacity planning. Check if they include powers of attorney and healthcare directives to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so.
  • Tax impact awareness. Ensure they understand how high state income taxes might affect your estate and plan accordingly.

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

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Tommy R

Series 63, Series 65

Modesto, CA

Valic Financial Advisors

Tommy Roy is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Modesto, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Agia, Transamerica Financial Advisors, Le Tote, World Financial Group, and CVS Caremark. Outside of finance, he owns a wood fencing company, Out of Sight Fencing Inc., which operates primarily in Tracy, CA. Valic Financial Advisors serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models for portfolio construction.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Retirement income strategy
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Carl R

Series 63, Series 65

Modesto, CA

Morgan Stanley

Carl Rice is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 49 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and has been affiliated with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients. The firm provides tailored financial planning using structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

General estate planning guidance
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Michele M

Series 63, Series 66

Modesto, CA

Edward Jones

Michele Mc Call is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Modesto, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials with 22 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

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

Series 66

Modesto, CA

Merrill

Eriona Dhimitri is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2016 and also works with Bank of America, N.A. since 2018. 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, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Donna F

Series 66, Series 63

Modesto, CA

Wedbush Securities Inc.

Donna Fredrickson is a financial advisor with Wedbush Securities Inc. in Modesto, CA, holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and bringing 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Wedbush Securities since 2015. Wedbush Securities serves a diverse clientele including individual and high-net-worth investors, foundations, and institutional clients. The firm offers a combination of brokerage and SEC-registered investment advisory services, encompassing wealth management, fixed income, commodities, and capital markets, with approximately $5.68 billion in regulatory assets under management.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner
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Scott M

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Morgan Stanley

Scott Mahoney is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in New York, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Giants Foot Cubed LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and broad investment resources.

General estate planning guidance
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Kayla S

Series 65, Series 63

Warwick, RI

Mass Mutual Investors Services

Kayla Santos is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. She has 10 years of industry experience, including roles at MetLife Securities and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In addition to her advisory work, she operates as an independent insurance agent specializing in life, fixed annuities, disability, long-term care, and health insurance. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, utilizing firm-approved tools to develop collaborative, goal-oriented financial plans.

Divorce financial planning General estate planning guidance Multi-generational wealth transfer Cash flow / budgeting Founder/Business Owner Attorney Executive Married/Couples/Partners Divorced

Gordon B

Series 66

Luling, LA

Edward Jones

Gordon Brown III is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2008. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment options, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Wealth management General estate planning guidance Oil & Gas
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William S

Series 63, Series 65

College Station, TX

Smith & Wyatt

William Soltow is a financial advisor at Smith & Wyatt with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at CoreCap Advisors and Cambridge Investment Research. Outside of his advisory role, he is the founder of Frontier Wealth Management and works as an independent insurance agent with Goosehead Insurance. Smith & Wyatt serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and corporations, managing approximately $207 million for around 724 clients through a team of eight advisors. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and estate-planning consulting, tailoring investment advice to clients’ objectives and risk tolerances primarily through mutual funds and ETFs.

Government Employee
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Thaddeus P

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Grand Rapids, MI

Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC

Thaddeus Phelps is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC since 2019 and previously spent 14 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. In addition to his advisory work, Phelps owns a tax preparation business and an accounting support service, and he serves in fiduciary roles such as trustee and executor. Advance Wealth Management Service, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary investment management through a wrap asset management program and emphasizes an individualized approach with asset allocation supported by fundamental, sector, and technical analysis, including risk management strategies such as put options and conservative cash instruments.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Charitable giving & philanthropy General estate planning guidance General tax planning Options & derivatives strategies
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