Top general estate planning guidance financial advisors in West Des Moines, IA
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 how your estate will be managed after your passing. Without clear guidance, you risk creating confusion or unintended tax consequences for your heirs.
- Comprehensive asset review. Confirm the advisor considers all types of assets, including digital and non-traditional holdings, to ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Tax implications awareness. Ask how they address state and federal tax rules, especially recent changes affecting retirement income.
- Succession planning insight. Check if they help coordinate estate plans with business succession or guardianship arrangements.
- Document coordination. Ensure they review and align wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations to avoid conflicts.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Seth H
Series 63, Series 65
West Des Moines, IA
Merrill
Seth Harjes offers expertise in general estate planning guidance tailored for West Des Moines clients, integrating wealth management and retirement income strategies with a focus on business ownership considerations. Affiliated with Merrill, a large firm, he serves mid-career professionals and HENRY clients, charging a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million, and brings eight years of industry experience to his personalized approach.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Gail O
Series 63, Series 66
West Des Moines, IA
Morgan Stanley
Gail O'Connor offers general estate planning guidance in West Des Moines, leveraging 28 years of experience and her Series 63 and 66 licenses to navigate complex asset and tax considerations. Affiliated with Morgan Stanley, a large firm managing $2.74 trillion in assets, she provides structured planning supported by firm-approved tools, distinguishing her through extensive resources and a seasoned approach.
Experience: 28 years
Avg account: $670,481
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Todd J
CFP®, Series 66
West Des Moines, IA
Edward Jones
Todd Johnson offers expertise in general estate planning guidance, multi-generational wealth transfer, and retirement income strategy, supported by his CFP® certification and seven years of industry experience. Working at Edward Jones, a large firm managing over $1 trillion in assets, he provides access to diverse advisory strategies with a program fee up to 1.35%, distinguishing him from advisors at smaller firms or with narrower service scopes.
Experience: 8 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Benjamin M
Series 66
West Des Moines, IA
Mass Mutual Investors Services
Benjamin Mauro offers general estate planning guidance in West Des Moines, IA, supported by his Series 66 designation and expertise in multi-generational wealth transfer and divorce financial planning. Affiliated with Mass Mutual Investors Services, a large firm serving diverse clients including trusts and estates, he provides financial planning and asset management without discretionary authority, distinguishing him through firm-approved tools and educational seminars.
Experience: 1 year
Avg account: $249,379
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Saurav B
Series 63, Series 65
West Des Moines, IA
Vanderbilt Advisory Services
Saurav Bhattacharyya offers general estate planning guidance in West Des Moines, leveraging 18 years of experience and expertise in wealth management and tax-loss harvesting. His firm, Vanderbilt Advisory Services, provides flat-fee and hourly planning options, serving diverse clients including trusts and estates, with a strategic asset allocation approach that integrates retirement-plan services, distinguishing him from other advisors in the area.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $327,118
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