Frequently Asked Questions
Get quick answers to frequently asked questions about Addis Hill and our services.
Section 1
Primary Questions
How does Addis Hill get paid?
Addis Hill is a fee-only financial advisory firm, which means we are compensated solely by our clients – never through commissions, product sales, or referral fees. Our fees are based on a percentage of the assets we manage on your behalf. This structure matters because it eliminates conflicts of interest entirely: we have no financial incentive to recommend anything other than what is genuinely best for you. What's good for your portfolio is good for us.
Do you have an investment minimum?
Our services are designed to provide the greatest value to individuals and families with $1.5 million or more in investable assets. At this level, the complexity of your financial picture – taxes, retirement income, estate planning, portfolio strategy – typically justifies and benefits most from our comprehensive, integrated approach.
That said, we don't apply a rigid, one-size-fits-all rule. What matters most to us is whether we can genuinely add value to your situation. If you're close to that threshold or have a particularly complex financial picture, we'd encourage you to reach out and start a conversation.
What can I expect in our initial conversation?
Our first conversation is entirely about you – there's no sales pitch and no obligation. We'll take the time to understand your goals, your timeline, your current financial picture, and what prompted you to reach out. We'll talk through what's working, what concerns you, and what you're hoping a financial advisor can help you accomplish.
From there, we'll share how we work, what our process looks like, and whether we think there's a strong fit. Most importantly, you'll leave the conversation with a clearer sense of the questions you should be asking – whether you work with us or not.
What is a fiduciary financial advisor?
A fiduciary is an advisor who is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest, not their own, and not their firm's. This is a higher standard than the "suitability" standard that applies to many brokers and commission-based advisors, who are only required to recommend products that are "suitable" for you, even if better or less expensive options exist.
At Addis Hill, fiduciary responsibility isn't just a legal obligation, it's the foundation of how we operate. Every recommendation we make, every strategy we propose, and every product we consider is evaluated through the lens of what is genuinely best for you and your family.
How long has Addis Hill been in business?
Addis Hill was founded in 2000 and has been serving clients for over 25 years. Over that time, we've guided clients through multiple market cycles while maintaining our focus on long-term, evidence-based planning. That depth of experience informs every recommendation we make.
Section 2
About Addis Hill & Credentials
Is Addis Hill registered with the SEC?
Yes. Addis Hill is a federally registered Investment Advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a registered investment advisor, we are held to a fiduciary standard, meaning we are legally required to act in the best interest of our clients at all times. Our full Form ADV – which discloses our business practices, fees, and any conflicts of interest – is available in the footer of our website.
7. Where will my assets be held – do you have access to my money?
Addis Hill does not maintain custody of your assets. Client assets are held at a custodian, for example, Charles Schwab. Your custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of your assets, and your accounts are held in your name – not ours.
Addis Hill has "investment discretion" over your accounts, meaning we can execute trades and manage your portfolio on your behalf without requiring your signature for each transaction.
Are you affiliated with any professional organizations?
Yes. We are proud members of the Fee-Only Network and Institute for the Fiduciary Standard, and we are also a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor. Each of these organizations supports and upholds the fee-only fiduciary standard, aligning with our commitment to always act in our clients’ best interest.
Section 3
Services & Our Approach
What is the N.O.W. Framework?
The N.O.W. Framework is Addis Hill's integrated approach to financial planning. It stands for:
N – Never-Worry Retirement Planning:
We build plans designed to provide genuine peace of mind, stress-tested against real-world scenarios like market downturns, inflation, and longevity, and aligned with your specific goals and values.
O – Optimized Tax Strategy:
Every financial decision we make considers its impact on your tax return. From asset location to Roth conversions to tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing, we work to minimize your lifetime tax burden, not just this year’s bill.
W – Wise Portfolio Management:
We build low-cost, diversified portfolios grounded in research – not speculation. Combined with disciplined rebalancing and behavioral coaching, this approach keeps your investments aligned with your plan through every market environment.
Together, these three pillars work as one integrated system, not three separate services. That's what makes the N.O.W. Framework distinctively effective.
Do you offer planning only, without investment management?
No. Our service integrates financial planning and investment management as a single, unified offering. We believe the two are inseparable: a financial plan without a coordinated portfolio strategy is incomplete, and a portfolio managed without a financial plan lacks context and direction.
By combining both under one roof, we ensure that every investment decision connects directly to your goals, your tax situation, and your retirement income plan. This integration is central to the value we provide.
Do you offer tax planning as part of your services?
Yes! Tax planning is a core pillar of our approach, not an add-on. As part of our Optimized Tax Strategy, we proactively consider the tax implications of every financial decision we make throughout the year. This includes Roth conversion planning, tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing, asset location strategy, tax-loss and tax-gain harvesting, and Social Security timing.
We are not a tax preparation firm and do not file tax returns. However, we work closely alongside your CPA or tax preparer to ensure our planning aligns with your return at year-end. Many clients find that this coordination surfaces savings their accountant alone wouldn't have identified.
What is retirement income planning and why does it matter?
Retirement income planning is the process of determining how you will generate reliable, tax-efficient income from your savings throughout retirement, without running out of money. It goes well beyond simply having a target savings number.
A comprehensive retirement income plan considers your sources of income (Social Security, pensions, portfolio withdrawals, part-time work), the order in which you draw from different accounts, how your spending is likely to change over time, the impact of inflation, healthcare costs, and what happens to your plan in adverse scenarios. Getting this right can mean the difference between a retirement that feels secure and one that feels perpetually uncertain.
At Addis Hill, retirement income planning is at the heart of everything we do for clients approaching and living in retirement.
How do you handle market volatility – what happens to my portfolio when markets drop?
How do you handle market volatility – what happens to my portfolio when markets drop?
Section 4
Working Together
How often will we meet, and what does communication look like between meetings?
Meeting frequency is tailored to each client's needs and preferences, but most clients engage in at least an annual review meeting and a mid-year check-in. These meetings are structured to review your financial plan, portfolio performance, tax strategy, and any changes in your life that should affect your planning.
Between meetings, we are proactively in touch, whether that's sharing relevant insights, flagging a planning opportunity, or simply checking in during periods of market volatility or major life events. You'll never feel like you have to track us down. And of course, our team is always available when you have a question, or something comes up that can't wait for a scheduled review.
What happens if something happens to me — how do you support my spouse, partner, or family?
We take this responsibility seriously. Our relationships are built with households in mind, not just individuals – which means we make every effort to ensure your spouse or partner is equally informed, comfortable, and engaged in your financial plan from the very beginning.
In the event of a death or incapacitation, our team is prepared to provide immediate support to your family: helping to navigate account transitions and ensuring continuity in the management of the portfolio and income plan. We also offer a complimentary Retirement Sustainability Assessment to the children or heirs of our clients, so in the event of something happening to you or your spouse, the people you care about most have access to thoughtful guidance during what is often an overwhelming time.
Do you interact with my children or heirs?
Yes, and we encourage it. We provide a complimentary Retirement Sustainability Assessment to the children and heirs of our clients, giving the next generation a thoughtful, no-pressure introduction to sound financial planning. If requested, we can also include family members in relevant communications and conversations, keeping them informed and involved in your planning process.
We find that involving family early – before a transition or crisis occurs – makes everything smoother and more meaningful for everyone involved.
Do you coordinate with my CPA or attorney?
Absolutely, and we consider this coordination essential. Your financial plan, tax strategy, and estate documents should all be working toward the same goals, and that only happens when your advisors are communicating.
We routinely collaborate with clients' CPAs and attorneys to ensure our planning is reflected accurately in tax filings, that estate documents align with beneficiary designations and asset titling, and that any major financial decision is reviewed with the full team's input.
Do you provide estate planning services?
We incorporate legacy and estate planning into your overall financial plan on an ongoing basis. This includes reviewing beneficiary designations, discussing asset titling, evaluating the tax efficiency of what you pass on to heirs, and coordinating with your estate attorney to ensure your documents reflect your current wishes and circumstances.
We do not draft legal documents such as wills, trusts, or powers of attorney – that is the role of an estate attorney. However, we work closely with your legal counsel to ensure your financial plan and estate plan are fully aligned.
Do you help with insurance planning?
Yes. While we do not sell insurance products, and never earn a commission from any insurance recommendation, we do provide insurance planning as part of your overall financial plan. This includes evaluating your current coverage, identifying gaps or redundancies, and helping you determine whether your life insurance, long-term care insurance, or liability coverage is appropriate for your situation.
Because we have no financial incentive to recommend any particular product or provider, our insurance guidance is always objective and focused entirely on your needs.
Section 5
Accounts, Security & Getting Started
How will my personal and financial information be protected?
We take the security and confidentiality of your information seriously. We use secure, encrypted technology platforms for all client communication, document sharing, and portfolio management. Our team operates under strict privacy policies in full compliance with SEC regulations governing registered investment advisors.
Our fiduciary duty extends beyond investment decisions to how we handle your data and your trust. We will never sell your information or share it with third parties outside of the service providers necessary to manage your accounts and deliver our services.
Do you work with clients outside the Greater Philadelphia area?
Yes. As a federally registered Investment Advisor, Addis Hill is authorized to serve clients across the United States. While we are headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, we work with clients in many states through a combination of in-person and virtual meetings.
Where can I find Addis Hill's Form ADV (Company Brochure)?
Our Form ADV – which includes a full disclosure of our business practices, services, fees, and any potential conflicts of interest – is available in the footer of our website. You can also request a copy directly from our team at any time. We encourage all prospective clients to review it before engaging our services.
What documents will you need from me to get started?
After your initial conversation, you'll receive a brief onboarding questionnaire to help us gather a clear picture of your financial situation. From there, the most useful documents typically include recent tax returns, current investment and retirement account statements, Social Security statements, any existing estate planning documents (will, trust, power of attorney), and recent pay stubs or income documentation if you're still working.
We'll walk you through exactly what's needed at each stage — you won't be expected to pull everything together at once. Our goal is to make the onboarding process as straightforward as possible.
How do I get started with Addis Hill?
The first step is a simple conversation. You can reach us by phone at 610-688-9500 or use the Contact page on our website to request an initial meeting. There's no obligation and no cost to that first discussion, just an honest conversation about your situation and whether we're a good fit for each other.
If it feels right for both parties, we'll outline the next steps and begin the onboarding process at whatever pace is comfortable for you.