How do you charge and what are your fees?
Athena Financial Group, Inc. is an independent, fee-only financial planning, and investment advisory firm. Our hallmark is building client relationships based on individual client needs, professional expertise and personal service. Our fees are determined by the level of services your situation requires. Every situation is different and our professionals can give your specific direction when consulting with you.
What are some unique services Athena Advisors provide?
Athena offers wealth management services, which means we are financial advisors that provide a range of services, including strategic financial planning, asset management, investment management, advisor coordination, retirement planning, estate planning and a host of other services that are connected to your financial well-being.
Our commitment to creating a financial portfolio that meets your individual needs and goals is what makes us unique.
How do a large brokerage firm and Athena Financial Group differ?
We differ in the personalized service and independent advice. As a boutique firm, we handle far less clients and have the time to spend working with you and figuring out your needs. We are never rushed for time to get to another client. We focus on one person at a time, offering individualized and personalized portfolio plans.
Our independent advice helps you select the appropriate investments for your needs and goals. There is never any pressure to sell a specific product like there might be at other financial services firms.
Do you work with women, men or both?
Many of our women clients come to us following a transition-divorce, widowhood, or a career change. Many clients are in need of our specialized post-divorce financial planning services However the majority of our clients require financial planning for one or more generations or those that take the children in to account. Our services are broad since we have developed skills in many areas of wealth management and preservation.
My investments are everywhere. Can you help me coordinate or consolidate?
No situation is too complex. Our advisors are trained to work with your other providers such as tax specialists and attorneys, to make the most of your financial situation.
Who controls my money?
You always control your money. We are financial advisors that offer advice and guidance with planning your financial future, but you always make the decisions. Any assets you have are held by third party investment companies, such as Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritade, or perhaps another brokerage firm in which you currently have accounts held. As your investment advisor, we will have certain authorizations and permissions regarding your accounts such as: we will receive copies of your investment statements; we will submit our advisory invoices to the brokerage firm, who will pay us directly from your account (we bill for management firms on a quarterly basis); and we will have discretion to trade and reallocate securities within your accounts (based on your investment parameters outlined in the Investment Management Agreement).
How often are clients updated on their portfolios?
We provide quarterly performance reports, which specifically state the beginning balance, contributions and withdrawals, the different sources of return, the ending balance, and the percentage and dollar return net of fees during that timeframe. We also compare these returns to various indexes, depending upon the type of investment strategy.
Each client will also receive a monthly or quarterly statement from the custodian where the money is held which will list his/her securities and the associated current values as of month-end. Furthermore, as securities trades are executed, each client will receive a confirmation statement with full details of each buy or sell.
I am going through a divorce and need help with financial planning. Can you help me?
We specialize in pre/post-divorce financial planning and are recognized in the field of divorce financial planning. Melanie Johnson is an expert in the field of divorce financial planning and has helped hundreds of clients divide their assets equitably. She is the first to bring the Second Saturday-What Women Need to Know About Divorce workshop to Texas.
Our team includes Certified Divorce Financial Analysts™ and more than 18 years of experience working with women, and men, to help them feel empowered with their financial choices in a positive way. Please contact us for more information about these services.
