Frequently Asked Questions
What does a financial advisor do?
A financial advisor helps you create and manage a personalized plan for your money, including investments, retirement, taxes, and estate planning.
What services do you offer?
We offer investment management, retirement income planning, tax strategies, estate planning coordination, risk management, and more.
Who do you typically work with?
Our clients usually have $500,000 to $10 million in investable assets and value personalized advice and a long-term financial relationship.
How do I know if I need a financial advisor?
If you’re making important financial decisions — about retirement, inheritance, taxes, or investments — working with a trusted advisor can help you make more confident and informed choices.
What should I bring to my first meeting with you?
You can bring recent account statements, tax returns, a list of goals, and any financial documents you think are important. We’ll guide you through everything.
Can I keep my current investments if I work with you?
In many cases, yes. We’ll evaluate your existing holdings to determine if they still fit your overall financial plan.
How often will my plan be reviewed?
We review your plan regularly and update it when your life or financial situation changes. Most clients meet with us 2–4 times per year.
Do you help with tax planning?
Yes. While we don’t prepare tax returns, we provide tax strategies that aim to reduce your long-term tax burden.
Do you prepare tax returns?
We do not, but we collaborate closely with your CPA or refer you to one of our tax partners.
Do you offer estate planning services?
We provide estate planning guidance and coordinate with your attorney to make sure your financial and legal plans are aligned.
Can you help with retirement income strategies?
Absolutely. We help you design a plan that seeks to turn your savings into sustainable income throughout retirement.
How do you work with clients outside of Nebraska?
We work with clients across the U.S. using virtual meetings and secure digital tools.
Can you work with my CPA and attorney?
Yes. We believe in a collaborative approach and are happy to coordinate with your other professionals.
Do you have a client portal?
Yes. Our portal gives you access to your accounts, financial plan, and secure document vault.
Is my information secure?
We use advanced encryption and security protocols to protect your personal and financial information.
Can I meet with my advisor virtually?
Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual meetings for your convenience.
What communication can I expect between meetings?
We’ll reach out with check-ins, planning reminders, market updates, and personalized messages throughout the year.
I just inherited money — can you help?
Yes. We help you understand your options, plan for taxes, and align the inheritance with your long-term goals
I lost my job — can you help me with a plan?
Yes. We’ll help you assess your cash flow, benefits, severance, and financial options during uncertain times.
We’re planning to sell our business — what are the steps?
We help business owners plan for a sale, including valuation, tax strategy, and planning for life after the sale. Bayer & Associates and LPL Financial do not provide business valuation or legal services. Please consult your legal advisor regarding your situation.
When should I start taking Social Security?
We analyze your options to help you choose a claiming strategy that maximizes your benefits.
How do I know if I can afford to retire?
We create retirement income projections that consider your savings, expenses, and future goals.
What are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
RMDs are mandatory withdrawals from retirement accounts starting at age 73 (for most people). We help you calculate and plan for them.
Should I pay off my mortgage before retirement?
It depends. We’ll evaluate the pros and cons based on your cash flow, tax situation, and financial goals.
Is the first meeting free?
Yes. Our discovery meeting is complimentary.
What happens in a discovery meeting?
We’ll talk about your financial goals, ask questions, and see if our services are a good fit for you.
What are the next steps if I want to work with you?
Schedule your discovery meeting — we’ll guide you from there.