FAQs

Yes. Your assets are held in your name at Charles Schwab, our independent custodian. Even if something were to happen to our firm, your accounts remain fully secure and accessible to you.

A custodian is a financial institution that holds your assets for safekeeping. They handle the actual custody and reporting of your investments. Using a reputable, independent custodian is important because it adds a layer of security and accountability — your money is held in your name, not by the advisory firm.

Our firm partners with Charles Schwab, a leading, independent custodian. Landmark is not an employee of Charles Schwab and maintains only a limited trading authority over client accounts held with Charles Schwab, which can be revoked by the client at any time.

We are a fee-only advisory firm. This means we are compensated only by our clients, typically through a percentage of assets under management, ensuring fully objective financial planning and investment management services. We receive zero compensation from Charles Schwab, or any other financial institution for the sale of any products. This structure keeps our advice unbiased and fully aligned with your best interests.

All investment advisors receive compensation in some capacity. A fiduciary is required to place the interest of their clients first. However, while many advisors can legally describe themselves as a fiduciary, it is difficult to divorce yourself from conflicts of interest when you have sales goals. More specifically product sales goals.

A fee-only advisor is compensated directly by the client based on an agreed upon fee structure. The sale or use of any product solution has no impact on the compensation of the advisor creating the most unbiased possible relationship between the client and the advisor.

It is also important to note that many advisors will refer to themselves as fee-based, which is different from a fee-only advisor. A fee-based advisor may charge a fee for investment management services yet still have the ability to receive product compensation.

We believe that everyone deserves quality financial guidance. While we have no definitive minimum, oftentimes potential clients do not have enough in the way of assets to build out a diversified portfolio or cannot move their assets over at the time they meet us. In those cases we may not be the best fit for a client, though we are always happy to provide advice and keep in contact should things change down the road. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll do our best to guide you to a trusted resource.

Our investment philosophy is rooted in long-term, evidence-based principles. We believe in broadly diversified portfolios, disciplined, strategic asset allocation, and minimizing costs and taxes. We don’t chase fads or try to time the market — instead, we focus on what we can control: your goals, risk tolerance, and financial plan. We believe in low cost, broadly diversified investments that track market indexes for equities while using bond managers and funds in the fixed income portion of our portfolios.

Our clients are diverse but share a common goal: they want a trusted advisor to help them make smart, informed financial decisions. Many are professionals, retirees, or business owners who value long-term relationships, personalized planning, and objective advice. They care about growing and protecting their wealth — and want a partner to help them do it thoughtfully.

While investment management is a key part of what we do, our services go far beyond that. We provide comprehensive financial planning, including retirement planning, tax strategy, estate planning guidance (in coordination with your estate planning attorney), risk management, and more. Our goal is to support every aspect of your financial life, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.

Yes — we take a holistic approach to your finances. Even if certain accounts (like 401(k)s or HSAs) aren't directly managed by us, we can still help you analyze, allocate, and integrate them into your overall financial plan. We want to ensure all parts of your financial life are working together toward your goals.

Yes — we take a holistic approach to your finances. Even if certain accounts (like 401(k)s or HSAs) aren't directly managed by us, we can still help you analyze, allocate, and integrate them into your overall financial plan. We want to ensure all parts of your financial life are working together toward your goals.

We tailor our communication to your preferences and needs. We schedule regular reviews of the financial plan at least annually to make sure the plan is always up to date. But we’re in contact throughout the year and also provide a quarterly newsletter so you can remain informed on the market. We’re always available throughout the year for questions, updates, or major life changes. You’ll never feel like you’re on your own - we're here when you need us.

You know you have enough money to retire when your assets, income sources, and spending plan can support your lifestyle throughout retirement — without running out of money.

We help clients determine this by creating a comprehensive retirement plan that considers your current savings, expected expenses, Social Security, pensions, healthcare costs, inflation, and longevity.

It’s not just about a number — it’s about clarity and confidence. A personalized retirement plan will show whether you're on track, what adjustments might be needed, and how to retire securely on your terms.

Yes. While many of our clients are located in the Long Island and NY metropolitan area, we also serve clients across the country through virtual meetings, phone calls, and regular communication. Our approach is designed to be flexible and accessible wherever you are.

Yes. While many of our clients are located in the Long Island and NY metropolitan area, we also serve clients across the country through virtual meetings, phone calls, and regular communication. Our approach is designed to be flexible and accessible wherever you are.

We offer a complimentary initial consultation to learn more about your financial situation, answer your questions, and determine if we’re a good fit to work together. Contact us to schedule your consultation.