Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Most Important Financial Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Most Important Financial Questions

We know choosing a financial advisor is an important decision. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from individuals and families across Harrisonburg, throughout Virginia —as well as clients we serve virtually across the country. If you don’t see your question here, we’re always happy to have a conversation.

❓ What does a financial advisor do?

A financial advisor helps you make informed decisions about your money. This can include investment management, retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, and long-term wealth management.

At Good Wealth Management, we focus on helping you bring clarity to complex financial decisions so you can move forward with confidence—whether you’re planning for retirement, managing a significant life transition, or building long-term wealth in Virginia and beyond.

❓ How do I know if I need a financial advisor?

You may benefit from working with our team if:

You’re nearing retirement and want a clear, personalized plan
You inherited a substantial amount of assets and aren’t sure what to do next
You have multiple accounts or investments and want better coordination
You’re unsure whether your current strategy is as efficient as it could be
You want independent advice without the pressure of a product sale
You simply want a second opinion from a fiduciary advisor

Many of our clients come to us during transition points in life—retirement, career changes, the loss of a spouse, or receiving an inheritance. If you’re looking for a new financial advisor, we’d be glad to have an introductory conversation.

❓ What is a fiduciary financial advisor?

A fiduciary financial advisor is legally obligated to act in your best interest—not the interest of a brokerage firm, insurance company, or product provider.

Our team at Good Wealth Management operates with a fiduciary mindset in everything we do. That means our advice is centered on what is best for you. We do not earn commissions for recommending specific products, and we have no incentive to steer you toward investments that don’t serve your goals. When you’re searching for a fiduciary financial advisor in Harrisonburg, VA or across Virginia, that distinction matters.

❓ How are you compensated?

We are compensated directly by you—not through commissions or third-party incentives. Depending on the services we provide, our fees fall into one or more of the following categories:

Assets Under Management (AUM) Fee – The most common method. We charge an annual percentage fee—typically ranging from 0.65% to 1.50%—based on the total value of the assets we manage on your behalf. This fee is usually deducted directly from your account on a quarterly basis. Because we do better when you do better, our financial interests are fully aligned with yours.
Flat or Fixed Fee – For specific services such as a comprehensive financial plan, retirement income analysis, or an investment review, we may charge a flat fee billed directly to your account or invoiced separately.
Hourly Fee – For consulting or one-time advisory work, we may charge an hourly rate, payable by check or account deduction upon your authorization.

We are happy to walk through our fee structure clearly during an initial conversation—no pressure, no commitment required.

❓ What does “directly from your accounts” mean?

When fees are deducted directly from your accounts, your custodian—the institution that holds your assets, such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or LPL Financial—processes the deduction on our behalf based on a fee schedule you authorize when signing your advisory agreement. You will always see these fees clearly itemized on your account statements, so there are never any surprises.

❓ Why does this compensation model matter?

As fiduciary advisors, we are legally and ethically obligated to always act in your best interest. Because we are compensated directly by you—not through elevated commissions, product sales, or third-party referral fees—we have no financial incentive to recommend any particular investment product. You pay us to give you independent, personalized advice, and that’s exactly what we do.

This is especially important for clients who have experienced high-pressure sales tactics elsewhere, or who simply want an advisor they can trust to be in their corner.

❓ Can you recommend more than one custodian without bias?

Yes. Because our team is compensated directly by you through advisory fees—not through commissions or incentives from any outside institution—we have no financial reason to favor one custodian over another. Whether your assets are held at Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or LPL Financial, our compensation remains the same.

Our custodian recommendation is based solely on what best fits your specific needs, such as account minimums, available investment options, technology and reporting tools, and overall service quality.

❓ Do you offer a second opinion on my portfolio?

Yes—and it’s one of the most common requests we receive from prospective clients. Our team can review your current investments, identify potential risks or inefficiencies, and provide an independent perspective so you can make more confident decisions.

Whether you’re in Harrisonburg, elsewhere in Virginia, or connecting with us virtually from across the country, a second opinion conversation is a great place to start.

❓ Do you work with women navigating major financial decisions?

Absolutely—and it’s a priority for our team. More than half of the households we serve are led by or include women who are actively involved in their financial planning. We work with women at a wide range of life stages, including:

Women approaching retirement who want a plan built around their specific timeline and income needs
Recently divorced or widowed women taking control of their finances, many for the first time
Professional women and business owners building long-term wealth
Women who have inherited assets and want independent, pressure-free guidance

We believe financial planning works best when it’s built around your life—your values, your goals, and your timeline. Our team provides a judgment-free environment where your questions are always welcome. If you’re looking for a financial advisor who works with women in Virginia or anywhere in the country, we’d love to connect.

❓ What types of clients do you typically work with?

We typically work with:

Pre-retirees and retirees planning for a financially secure next chapter
Business owners and professionals seeking coordinated, tax-aware wealth strategies
Individuals and families with $500,000 or more in investable assets
Clients located locally in the Shenandoah Valley, as well as clients we serve virtually across Virginia and the rest of the United States. We also serve Ex-pats in some regions.

We are always happy to have an initial conversation to see if we are a good fit for your situation.

❓ Do you offer virtual financial planning services?

Yes—and it’s a significant part of how we serve clients today. While we are proud to be rooted in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, roughly 60% of the households we work with are located outside our immediate area. We serve clients virtually throughout Virginia, across the Shenandoah Valley, and nationwide.

Virtual meetings are conducted via secure video conference and are just as personal and thorough as in-person sessions. If you’re looking for a virtual financial advisor in Virginia—or anywhere in the country—geography is no barrier to getting the guidance you deserve.

❓ Where are you located?

Our team is based in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia, just a few blocks from James Madison University (JMU). Harrisonburg sits at the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, and we are proud to serve our local community as well as clients throughout Virginia and across the country through virtual advisory services.

❓ What is your investment philosophy?

We believe in:

Long-term, disciplined investing focused on your goals—not market noise
A blended active and passive investment approach tailored to your situation
Tax-aware strategies designed to preserve and grow your wealth over time
Avoiding unnecessary complexity and high-cost products
Building portfolios that are uniquely tailored to each client’s risk tolerance, timeline, and objectives

Whether you’re planning for retirement in Harrisonburg, managing wealth across Virginia, or working with us virtually from anywhere in the country, our goal is not to chase trends—it’s to build a disciplined strategy that supports your long-term financial life.

❓ What happens in the first meeting?

The first meeting is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation—and no commitment is required. Financial planning is about you, not us. We’ll learn about you, your family and values, your situation, your goals, and any concerns you may have.

If it makes sense to move forward, we’ll outline exactly how our team can help. Many clients tell us they leave the first conversation feeling more clarity and confidence than they’ve had in years.

❓ How do I get started?

Simply reach out. Schedule a confidential, no-obligation call through our contact page at goodwealthonline.com and our team will take it from there.

Whether you’re in Harrisonburg, the Shenandoah Valley, anywhere in Virginia, or connecting with us virtually from across the country—we’re ready when you are.

Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Good Wealth Management and Private Advisor Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.
Securities Offered Through LPL Financial Member FINRA / SIPC.
LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial.
The financial professionals associated with LPL Financial may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.