Choosing a financial advisor often starts with questions…about process, fit, fees, and whether working with an advisor even makes sense for you right now. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from people exploring financial planning, especially those navigating complex careers, benefits, and long-term decisions. Our goal is to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions upfront so you can decide, at your own pace, whether a conversation with our team would be helpful. If you do not see your question here, we are always happy to talk it through.

Services & Expertise

What services do you offer?

At our core, we’re a comprehensive financial planning and investment management firm designed to help clients make confident, coordinated decisions over time. Our work typically involves ongoing financial planning, portfolio management, insurance and risk management, and coordination of employer benefits and retirement plans.

Rather than viewing these aspects in isolation, we focus on how everything fits together… so decisions in one area support the rest of your plan and goals.

What type of clients do you work with?

At Himelick Financial Group, we’re proud to serve a broad community of over 400 households, with wide range of backgrounds, financial goals, and stages of life. While we recognize every client is unique, we specialize in working with:

• Families – We help families create a clear and actionable plan to pay for retirement, education savings, gifting, and multigenerational wealth transfers. We have a significant number of relationships with families spanning multiple decades and multiple generations.
• Public Health Faculty and University Professors – We work with public health faculty and university professors across the country, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Texas System, and the University of Houston. While these roles come with strong benefit packages, they often come with long-term career considerations and retirement decisions that are easy to second-guess without a trusted advisor in your corner.
• Business Owners – We work with business owners and consultants, often transitioning from public health or education careers, helping them align their business income, taxes, and retirement planning as they move into the next phase of work and life.

How is your approach different from other financial advisors?

We believe that every client is different. As a result, our approach to each individual client is different, meaning we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies.

Rather than leading with products or one-off recommendations, we take a planning-first, relationship-driven approach. We look at investments, benefits, insurance, taxes, and long-term goals together, and adjust as your career and life evolve. The result is a steady, flexible plan that grows with you over time.

Will you work with my CPA and Estate Attorney?

Absolutely! We actually prefer working alongside your CPA, estate attorney, and other trusted professionals. Many of our clients think of us as their financial “quarterback,” helping coordinate conversations, timelines, and decisions so everyone is working together in support of you.

Client Experience

What should I expect in my first meeting with an advisor?

Your first meeting usually runs about an hour long and is meant to feel more like a conversation than a presentation. You’ll meet with your advisor along with members of our planning team who help build and implement your financial plan. There’s no set agenda… our focus is simply getting to know you, understanding your goals, and where you’d like some help.

In most cases, we don’t recommend immediate changes or open accounts in the first meeting unless there’s a clear need. Instead, we focus on creating a thoughtful financial plan so future decisions are coordinated and intentional. The first meeting is really about planning, not selling.

How do I know if I need a financial advisor?

Most people reach out to an advisor during a transition…often a job or career change or when retirement starts to feel "around the corner." Many of the clients we work with are already in a solid position, but don’t have the time or desire to manage every detail on their own. They usually know where they are today and what they want the end goal to be, but aren’t sure how to connect the dots.

To that point, one of the most common misconceptions we hear is, “I’m not wealthy enough to need an advisor.” In reality, working with an advisor is less about how many zeroes you have in your bank account and more about wanting confidence and a plan that fits your career, goals, and lifestyle.

How often will I meet with my advisor?

Most clients meet formally with their advisor once or twice per year, but additional meetings often happen around life events, benefits decisions, or as retirement gets closer.

Our team approach means you’re not limited to scheduled meetings… clients can reach out to their advisor or our entire support team anytime questions come up. We also stay proactive during major market or planning events, making sure clients understand what’s happening and how we’re responding.

Will I work with just my advisor or with a team?

When you work with Himelick Financial Group, you'll have a dedicated advisor who will serve as your primary point of contact. However, our approach is very team-oriented. Different members of our team will be involved at various points…from building and updating your financial plan to handling account details, follow-ups, and ongoing support. This means you’re never relying on just one person and can always get help when questions come up.

Collectively, our team brings well over a century of experience to every client relationship.

Transparency

How are you compensated?

Most of our relationships are structured around a flat fee that is calculated as a percentage of assets under management. This fee covers investment management, trading, ongoing financial planning, and access to our full team throughout the year.

In some cases, additional services, such as insurance or annuities, may involve different fees and/or commissions depending on the solution and provider. When that’s the case, we’re upfront about how those costs work and how we’re compensated before any decisions are made. Our goal is transparency, so you understand exactly what you’re paying for and why.

Are there asset minimums to work with you?

We don’t have a hard asset minimum to start a conversation or work with our team. If you’re looking for guidance and want help putting a plan together, we’ll do our best to meet you where you are.

That said, some product sponsors may have their own minimums that are unavoidable, which can affect what options are available. In those cases, we’ll talk through alternatives that make sense for your situation. Our team-based approach also allows us to match the level of support to your needs, so even earlier-stage relationships still receive thoughtful guidance and our full attention.

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes… we act as fiduciaries and are legally required to put our clients’ best interests first. While there are a very limited number of situations where the fiduciary standard isn't required, our approach still doesn’t change.

Regardless of structure, we operate with the same mindset across the board: acting in our clients’ best interest, being transparent about recommendations, and helping people make decisions we believe are right for their situation. That principle guides how we work with every client, every time.