Firm Description
PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC was founded in 2014.
PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC provides personalized confidential
investment management and financial planning primarily to individuals, trusts
and to closely held businesses. Advice is provided through consultation with
the client and may include: determination of financial objectives, identification
of financial problems, cash flow management, tax planning, insurance review,
investment management, education funding, retirement planning, succession
planning and estate planning. In addition the firm offers individual and trust
income tax preparation to clients who have contracted for financial planning
and/or investment management.
PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC is strictly a fee-only financial
planning and investment management firm. The firm does not receive
commissions for purchasing or selling annuities, insurance, stocks, bonds,
mutual funds, limited partnerships, or other commissioned products. The firm
is not affiliated with entities that sell financial products or securities. No
commissions in any form are accepted. No finder’s fees are accepted.
An evaluation of each client's initial situation is provided to the client. Periodic
reviews are also communicated to provide reminders of the specific courses
of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur but are not
necessarily communicated to the client unless immediate changes are
recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are
engaged directly by the client on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will
be disclosed to the client in the unlikely event they should occur.
The initial meeting, which may be by telephone, is free of charge and is
considered an exploratory interview to determine the extent to which financial
planning and investment management may be beneficial to the client.
Principal Owners
Josephine LaSpina Trotta is the sole owner of the firm.
Types of Advisory Services
PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC provides discretionary and non-
discretionary investment advisory services, also known as asset management
services. On more than an occasional basis, PATHFINDER WEALTH
ADVISORS LLC furnishes advice to clients on matters not involving
securities, such as financial planning matters, taxation issues, and trust
services that often include estate planning.
Tailored Relationships
The goals and objectives for each client will be documented. Investment
policy statements are created that reflect the stated goals and objectives.
Clients may impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of
securities.
Agreements may not be assigned without client consent.
Client Assets
Pathfinder Wealth Advisors, LLC has $69,174,412 (Discretionary) and
$701,701 (Non-Discretionary) Assets Under Management totaling
$69,876,113 as of December 31, 2023.
Types of Agreements
The following agreements define the typical client relationships.
Advisory Contract (AC)
Most clients choose to have PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC
manage their assets in order to obtain ongoing in-depth advice and life
planning. Most aspects of the client’s financial
affairs are reviewed. Realistic
and measurable goals are set and objectives to reach those goals are
defined. As goals and objectives change over time, suggestions are made
and implemented on an ongoing basis.
The scope of work and fee for an Advisory Contract is provided to the client in
writing prior to the start of the relationship. An Advisory Contract may include:
cash flow management; insurance review; portfolio management (including
performance reporting); education planning; philanthropic planning; review of
employee benefits, retirement planning; estate and succession planning; and
tax planning and preparation, as well as review of the implementation of
recommendations within each area.
The annual Advisory Contract fee is based upon whether the client service is
only portfolio management or if other services beyond portfolio management
are included. If portfolio management is included, the fee is based on a
percentage of the investable assets according to the following schedule:
1.00% on the first $1,000,000;
0.80% on the next $1,000,000); and
Negotiable on the assets above $2,000,000.
If services requested are significantly beyond portfolio management, the fee
for the services beyond portfolio management will be a flat fee based upon
the complexity and type of services rendered as well as consideration of the
portfolio management with reference to the above schedule. See Other Fees
below.
The client or PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC may terminate an AC
by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees billed for the quarter
and paid in advance of termination will be refunded based upon a proration of
the fee from the beginning of the quarter until termination.
Tax preparation work may be performed as an integral part of the Advisory
Contract. Eligible federal and applicable state returns are generally filed
electronically without an additional fee to the client.
Hourly Planning Engagements
PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC provides hourly planning services
for clients who need advice on a limited scope of work. The hourly rate for
limited scope engagements is $300.00 per hour.
Asset Management
Assets are invested primarily in no-load mutual funds and exchange-traded
funds, usually through discount brokers. The brokerage dealer custodian
may charge a transaction fee for the purchase of some funds.
Stocks and bonds may be purchased or sold through a brokerage account
when appropriate. The brokerage firm may charge a transaction fee for stock
and bond trades. PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC does not receive
any compensation, in any form, from fund companies.
Investments may also include: equities (stocks), warrants, corporate debt
securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities,
U. S. government securities, options contracts, futures contracts, and
interests in partnerships.
Termination of Agreement
The client or PATHFINDER WEALTH ADVISORS LLC may terminate an AC
by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees billed for the quarter
and paid in advance of termination will be refunded based upon a proration of
the fee from the beginning of the quarter until termination.