Seasoned, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Traverse City, MI
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.
When you're planning for college expenses, like 529 plans or UTMA accounts, you want an advisor who understands how to balance saving for education with your overall financial picture. A common mistake is focusing only on investment returns without considering how education costs and financial aid rules interact.
- Education cost forecasting. Look for advisors who model future tuition inflation and how it affects your savings goals.
- Financial aid impact. Ask how your savings strategy might influence eligibility for need-based aid.
- Account type guidance. Confirm they explain the pros and cons of 529 plans versus UTMA accounts for your family's situation.
- Long-term coordination. Seasoned advisors here often integrate college savings with retirement and pension planning, reflecting local economic factors.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Patrick K
Series 63, Series 66
Traverse City, MI
Merrill
Patrick Kolody offers over 30 years of experience in college savings planning, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, tailored for clients in Traverse City, MI. His affiliation with Merrill provides access to large-firm resources, and he serves mid-career professionals and HENRY clients with a 1.10% AUM fee, integrating education funding with retirement and tax strategies.
Experience: 32 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Robert H
Series 63, Series 65
Traverse City, MI
SB Advisory, LLC
Robert Hughes brings 40 years of experience in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, tailored to Traverse City families. His firm, SB Advisory, LLC, serves individuals and high-net-worth clients with a blend of technical and qualitative analysis, offering flexible fee options like a 2.5% AUM fee or hourly planning up to $600, which may suit diverse financial planning needs.
Experience: 40 years
Avg account: $242,408
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Raja A
Series 63, Series 65
Traverse City, MI
LPL Financial
Raja Asava's 24 years of experience and expertise in college savings, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, equip him to address education cost forecasting and financial aid considerations in Traverse City, MI. His affiliation with LPL Financial, a large firm offering flat-fee financial planning, complements his focus on wealth management and retirement plans, providing a broad advisory scope compared to other local advisors.
Experience: 25 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Mark H
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Traverse City, MI
Up North Financial, LLC
Mark Herman brings 34 years of experience in college savings planning, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, making him well-equipped to address education cost forecasting and financial aid considerations in Traverse City, MI. His firm, Up North Financial, LLC, serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals and corporate entities, offering flat-fee financial planning and asset-based investment management with a focus on tailored portfolios aligned to client goals.
Experience: 34 years
Avg account: $602,670
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Craig R
Series 63, Series 65
Traverse City, MI
J. W. Cole Advisors, Inc.
Craig Rosenberg's 39 years of experience and Series 63 and 65 licenses equip him to guide college savings strategies like 529 plans and UTMA accounts in Traverse City, MI. Affiliated with J.W. Cole Advisors, a large SEC-registered firm offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment approaches, he provides flat-fee planning options and integrates college savings with broader retirement and pension planning.
Experience: 39 years
Avg account: $255,702
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