Frequently Asked Questions

  • We work with people who want clear, objective guidance from a fiduciary financial advisor and a plan that connects all parts of their financial life. Our clients include professionals growing their careers, business owners planning their next chapter, and families managing new financial responsibilities. We also serve people preparing for retirement or adjusting to life changes, such as an inheritance, career shift, or the loss of a loved one. If you’re ready for financial advice that adapts as your life evolves, we may be a good fit.

  • We provide fee-only financial planning and investment management designed to support your whole financial life. Our services include:

    • Financial Planning

    • Retirement Planning

    • Investment Management

    • Cash Flow Planning

    • Insurance Evaluation

    • Tax Strategies

    • Company Retirement Plans

    • Debt Management

    • Social Security Optimization

    • Education Funding

    • Health Insurance Guidelines

    • Medicare Evaluation

    • Estate Planning

    • Charitable Giving

    We also help with education funding, estate and charitable giving strategies, and company retirement plans for business owners. Whether you’re building wealth, planning for retirement, or managing new financial responsibilities, our goal is to help you feel confident about your money and your future.

  • Both are included as part of our comprehensive approach. At Eclectic Associates, financial planning and investment management work hand in hand. Your investments are guided by your goals, and your plan evolves as life changes.

    This integrated approach helps ensure that every financial decision supports the bigger picture, from saving and spending to taxes and retirement. As a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisor, our advice stays focused on your best interests.

  • Yes. Eclectic Associates has served as a fiduciary financial advisor since our founding in 1984. Being a fiduciary means we’re legally and ethically required to put your interests first—always. In addition, every advisor on our team is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) professional with the same obligation to act in your best interest. Putting our clients’ best interests first is the foundation for all our recommendations.

  • We’re a fee-only firm, compensated solely by the fees our clients pay, not by commissions or product sales. Our fee is based on a percentage of the total assets we manage for you (known as “assets under management,” or AUM) and is billed every four months in advance.

    This structure helps align our success with yours. In short, the better your investments do, the better we do. We don’t receive compensation from outside companies so that our advice stays objective and focused on your interests.

    View our Form CRS for details ›

  • Your fee covers ongoing financial planning and investment management designed to help you stay on track toward your goals. This includes portfolio management, retirement and tax planning, cash flow and insurance reviews, and regular progress meetings to keep your plan up to date.

    We monitor your investments year-round, provide quarterly portfolio reports, and adjust your strategy as your life or goals change. You’ll also have direct access to your advisory team whenever questions come up.

  • Our minimum investment for new clients is $400,000 in investable assets. This level helps us to deliver the depth of financial planning, investment management, and personal attention that each client deserves.

    See our Form CRS for details ›

  • We provide comprehensive services as part of an ongoing advisory relationship that includes financial planning and investment management. This approach helps us to connect all areas of your financial life—investments, taxes, cash flow, retirement, and more—so that your plan stays coordinated as life changes. For that reason, we don’t offer financial planning on an hourly or project basis.

  • Both. We meet with clients in person at our Fullerton, California office and virtually with clients throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, Southern California, and across the country.

    Many people appreciate the convenience of remote meetings, while others prefer to meet face-to-face, and we’re glad to offer both. No matter how we meet, you’ll receive the same level of personal attention and ongoing communication from your advisory team.

    Schedule a call to get started ›

  • Yes. We offer a complimentary introductory meeting to get to know each other and see if our services align with your needs. During this conversation, we’ll learn about your goals, answer your questions, and explain how we work with clients.

    There’s no obligation. It’s just an opportunity to explore whether we’re the right fit for you.

    Schedule your introductory meeting ›

  • We’re located in Fullerton, California, in North Orange County. Many of our clients live and work throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, but we also serve individuals and families across the country through virtual meetings.

    Whether you prefer to meet in person or online, you’ll receive the same dedicated guidance and ongoing support from our advisory team.

  • Yes. We regularly help clients review their retirement accounts when changing jobs to decide whether to roll over, leave funds where they are, or explore other options. Our goal is to make sure your investments, taxes, and savings strategy stay aligned with your broader financial plan.

  • We help business owners create a plan for what’s next, both personally and financially. That includes preparing for a sale or succession, managing taxes, and deciding how to invest the proceeds to support your goals. As fiduciary advisors, we collaborate with your CPA and attorney to help ensure that every step is coordinated.

  • A financial windfall can open opportunities and raise new questions. We’ll help you create a plan for saving, investing, and giving that aligns with your values and evolving goals. Our advice is independent and fee-only, so you can feel confident that our advice puts your interests first.

  • We’ll help you understand what retirement can look like for you and help you make informed decisions on vital questions such as how much you can spend, when to start Social Security, and how to make your savings last. Your personalized plan connects all areas of your financial picture—such as distributions, taxes, and cash flow—so you can feel confident about the years ahead.

  • Yes. We guide widows and widowers through these significant life transitions, helping you to organize accounts and make financial decisions at a comfortable pace. Our role is to help you find financial stability and confidence as you move forward.