Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Many people wonder whether hiring a financial advisor is “worth it,” and what to expect if they do. Here are some questions that might cross your mind when you consider working with a financial planner as you transition into retirement:

What exactly can a financial advisor help me with?
Many people think advisors only handle investments, but good advisors offer comprehensive planning. At WellSpring, we take a look at the whole picture and offer a range of services including retirement planning & asset management, risk assessment, life insurance services, financial estate planning, and tax-efficient planning. Through our proprietary WellSpring FORMula, we focus on 7 key pillars in making financial decisions motivated by your "why."

What is a fiduciary? 

A fiduciary is a person or entity legally and ethically obligated to act in the best interest of another party. Derived from the Latin word for "trust", they manage money or assets and must prioritize their client's interests ahead of their own, strictly avoiding or mitigating conflicts of interests where they can. When acting in an advisory capacity, our financial advisors, and CFP® professionals, must legally put your interests ahead of their own in certain scenarios like managing accounts or making recommendations on qualified retirement assets. 

What is a CFP?
A CFP® professional (Certified Financial Planning™ professional) is a financial advisor who has completed rigorous training, passed a comprehensive exam, and met ongoing continuing education and ethical standards. They provide holistic, long-term financial planning—covering investments, taxes relating to investment accounts, retirement, insurance, and financial estate planning—and are legally obligated to act as fiduciaries (in your best interest) when providing financial advice.

What is a ChFC?
ChFC stands for Chartered Financial Consultant. It is a professional designation awarded to financial advisors who have completed rigorous education, examination, and experience requirements in personal financial planning, tax-efficient strategies, insurance, and financial estate planning.

What if my goals change over time?
We understand that life happens and goals shift. Through regular check-ins and adjustments to your plan, our advisors tailor your plan to your specific needs. 

What if I'm not located near an office?
We have four physical locations in the southeastern Pennsylvania area (Norristown, Pottstown, Wyomissing/Reading, and Allentown), but if you're not local, we offer services all across the country! Our advisors are registered in several different states and can offer videocall or telephone call appointments. 

What will holding an introductory meeting with you cost?

An introductory meeting, whether in person, over the phone, or virtually, is at no cost to you. During a complimentary introductory meeting, we are simply getting to know one another, determining if WellSpring's services will provide value to you, and deciding whether there is a mutual fit.

What makes WellSpring unique?
WellSpring Financial is geared towards those who are getting ready to or have already retired. While almost all advisors can call themselves "retirement advisors," WellSpring solely focuses on retirement because it requires more safety and careful planning. As not only CFP® professionals but also ChFCs® (Chartered Financial Consultants), our advisors specialize in areas that may otherwise be overlooked.