Have questions? You’re not alone. Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below.
When selecting a financial advisor, it is important to evaluate several key factors:
Credentials and Experience: Ask about an advisor’s registrations, qualifications, and professional background. This can help you understand the level of expertise they bring and whether they are equipped to address more complex financial needs.
Transparency: Ensure you have a clear understanding of how the advisor is compensated. A straightforward explanation of fees and costs can help you determine whether their approach aligns with your expectations.
Investment Philosophy: Take time to understand how portfolios are constructed, how risk is managed, and how investment decisions are made over time. A disciplined, long-term approach can provide greater consistency and confidence as your goals evolve.
Accessibility and Service Model: Consider how frequently you will meet, how responsive the advisor is, and whether they proactively provide guidance during periods of market volatility or significant life events.
Comprehensive Wealth Management: Look beyond investment management alone. Advisors who integrate financial planning, tax and estate considerations, retirement strategies, and wealth preservation can often provide more meaningful long-term value.
Independent financial advisors generally work within firms that prioritize advisor autonomy, objective advice, and flexibility. Because they are not typically limited to proprietary products or institutional sales targets, they can focus on solutions that best fit a client’s individual circumstances and goals.
Bank advisors often operate within a more structured environment where investment products, processes, and service models are standardized. While this can offer convenience and familiarity, recommendations may be influenced by institutional priorities, product platforms, or internal policies.
Independent firms frequently foster an entrepreneurial culture that allows advisors to tailor investment and planning strategies to the unique needs of each client and family.
A fiduciary is an individual or firm that is legally and ethically obligated to act in the best interests of their clients. This responsibility requires putting the client’s interests ahead of their own, managing conflicts appropriately, and providing advice with care, diligence, honesty, and good faith.
For investors, working with a fiduciary can provide added confidence that recommendations are being made based on what is most appropriate for their personal circumstances, objectives, and long-term financial well-being. A fiduciary relationship helps foster trust, transparency, and accountability throughout the wealth management process.
Stonehaven Private Counsel offers a comprehensive wealth management experience built around a planning-led, goals-based approach. Services include investment and portfolio management, retirement planning, tax and estate planning, risk management, wealth transfer strategies, and ongoing financial guidance.
Our process begins with understanding what is most important to you and your family. From there, we develop a customized roadmap designed to help you achieve your financial objectives while managing risk and maintaining flexibility as circumstances evolve.
Whether your priorities involve preserving wealth, generating retirement income, managing cross-border considerations, or creating a tax-efficient estate strategy, our team works to provide integrated advice tailored to your unique situation.
Client assets managed through Wellington-Altus Private Counsel are held in custody by National Bank Independent Network (NBIN), a division of National Bank of Canada. NBIN is responsible for safeguarding client assets and providing custodial and administrative services.
This structure allows your assets to remain with a large, regulated financial institution while your advisor focuses on delivering personalized advice and wealth management services.
Although we do not mandate a plan, we do strongly encourage our clients to go through the Wealth Planning process with us as we often uncover gaps and/or opportunities that previously were not identified.
Investments are only one component of a successful financial strategy. A comprehensive financial plan connects your investments to your broader goals, cash flow requirements, tax considerations, risk tolerance, and long-term objectives.
Without a plan, investments may lack direction. A financial plan helps ensure that every financial decision is working toward a clearly defined purpose.
Our investment approach begins with understanding your goals, priorities, time horizon, and comfort with risk. From there, we design a portfolio aligned with those objectives while seeking to manage risk appropriately.
Rather than focusing on short-term market predictions, we emphasize disciplined portfolio construction, ongoing monitoring, and regular reviews. This helps ensure your investment strategy remains aligned with your evolving circumstances and long-term goals.
Absolutely. We believe some of the best outcomes occur when your professional advisors work together.
By collaborating with your accountant, lawyer, and other trusted professionals, we can help ensure that investment decisions, tax planning strategies, estate considerations, and wealth transfer objectives are coordinated and aligned.
At Stonehaven Private Counsel, we are happy to speak with individuals and families who believe they could benefit from our guidance and expertise.
Because we provide a highly personalized wealth management experience, we carefully evaluate whether we can deliver the level of attention, planning, and long-term support that prospective clients deserve. The most important consideration is whether there is a strong mutual fit and an opportunity for us to add meaningful value to your financial journey.
Your relationship extends beyond a single advisor. Stonehaven has been intentionally built with a team-based approach that includes continuity and succession planning.
Clients are introduced to multiple members of the team throughout the relationship, helping ensure a seamless transition should a retirement or leadership change occur. Stonehaven Private Counsel is built on shared values, consistent processes, and a commitment to maintaining the same high standard of service over the long term.
Our onboarding process begins with understanding your goals, priorities, and overall financial situation. We conduct a thorough review of your existing accounts, investments, and planning opportunities to gain a complete picture of your needs.
From there, we develop or refine your financial plan and design an investment strategy aligned with your objectives. Once accounts are established or transferred, we implement an ongoing service schedule that includes regular reviews, proactive communication, and continuous guidance to help keep your plan on track.
