1. Present situation clarified.
Your financial planner collects and assesses all relevant financial data. This includes lists of your assets and liabilities, copies
of your income tax returns, insurance policies, wills and powers
of attorney, your pension plans, et cetera. Besides such quantitative
data, your planner will seek a qualitative understanding
of values, needs, priorities.
2. Goals and objectives established.
Your financial planner helps clarify both financial and personal values, attitudes, needs.
These may include providing for children's education, supporting elderly parents -- or relieving immediate financial pressures in order to enjoy your current lifestyle and still provide for retirement.
All such considerations are essential in determining your better
planning strategies.
3. Financial challenges identified.
These include barriers to achieving financial independence. Problem
areas can include too little or too much insurance coverage, a high
tax burden, weak cash management, poor cash flow, investments not winning
the battle with changing economic times. Such possible problem areas
must be clearly identified before solutions are found.
4. Solutions, recommendations, alternatives thoroughly documented.
Length and depth of recommendations
will vary with the complexity of your individual situation. But such recommendations are always structured to meet your needs, and never place an undue emphasis on purchasing certain financial products.
5. Plan implementation.
Implementing strategies
assists you reaching desired goals and objectives. A financial plan
can only be helpful if recommendations are put into action. The
financial planner helps you with this, either executing the recommendations
himself, or in coordination with your other professionals.
6. Plan monitoring.
Periodic reviews and revisions of your plan assure your goals are achieved. The depth and frequency of monitoring depends on plan complexity, but a full review is required at least once a year. Your financial situation is then re-assessed, tested against changes in your life and in current economic conditions.
Through development of its comprehensive financial plan, each client
family is assured of achieving their financial objectives and lifestyle
goals. They're on John's boat, and thrilled to be there. 
