As a former therapist turned financial advisor, I know all too well that life is always changing and
evolving. But if there’s one thing that has remained constant throughout my life, it’s passion and
deep-rooted desire to help people.

During my college years, I studied political science with a focus on Middle Eastern studies.
Although challenging and interesting, I couldn’t find a satisfying use in the field. I opted instead
for a career in mental health, receiving my master’s degree in social work at the University of
Texas, Arlington, where I would meet my wife, Nancy, an attorney who works with children and
families. From there, I would spend the next two decades as a therapist, specializing in solution-
focused techniques. While I loved my career, I realized that I could use my ability to help people
navigate life changes in a new way — financially.

Transitioning from Therapy to Financial Planning
Finances have the incredible ability to cause immense stress and pressure on a family,
particularly when they experience life changes, be it a marriage, divorce, job loss, new job,
transition into retirement, or other situation. And during these times of extreme stress, people
are forced to make financial decisions that may impact them the rest of their life.
I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional to combine my solution-focused
therapy techniques with my ability to provide comprehensive financial planning and enhance
their financial peace of mind. I want to assist them in making informed choices and avoiding
impulsive mistakes. To accomplish this, I guide them in overcoming the behavioral and thinking
challenges that lead to poor decisions and use a proven process to help them draw on their
inner resources to implement effective solutions.

Based on my background in therapy, I specialize in significant life transitions that involve
money, no matter what stage of life a client is in. I believe that comprehensive and proactive
financial planning can make financial transitions less stressful, more productive, and even
enjoyable. And when combined with education and the right information, people’s opportunities
are boundless.

My Financial Planning Practice Today
With more than a decade of working as a financial advisor, I can’t imagine another career better
suited to or more aligned with my passions and skills. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing
a client turn to me during difficult times and being able to help them navigate the hurdles and
create a solution that guides them toward their desired destination. I like to tell my clients that
I’m not just their advisor, but I’m also a reliable thinking partner for negotiating major decisions.
If you’re experiencing a challenge or transition in life, I would be happy to meet with you and
discuss how I may be able to assist you. I like to start every relationship with a complimentary,
no-pressure, and no-commitment meeting where we can get to know me better, I can learn
more about your situation, and we can together decide if we are a good fit for one another.

Tom Chancellor is a Certified Financial Planner Professional helping clients enhance their financial peace of mind. Tom spent 20 years as a marriage and family therapist and now incorporates resources from psychology, communications, and relationship studies in financial planning for people who experience life-changing events. Tom helps his clients and other financial professionals respond to life transitions such as divorce, death of a spouse, retirement, receipt of an inheritance and legal settlements. Contact Tom with questions at tom@teaktreecapital.com.
 
Securities offered through Comprehensive Asset Management and Servicing, Inc. (“CAMAS”), 2001 Hwy 46, Ste. 506, Parsippany,  NJ 07054,1-800-637-3211.  Member FINRA/SIPC. Teak Tree Capital Management, LLC,  is independent of CAMAS.

If you weren’t around, what would happen to your investments? In many families, one person
handles investment decisions, and spouses or children have little comprehension of what
happens each week, month or year with a portfolio.

In an emergency, this lack of knowledge can become financially paralyzing. Just as small
business owners risk problems by “keeping it all in their heads,” families risk problems when
only one person has an understanding of investments.

This is why a trusted relationship with a financial advisor can be so vital. If the primary
individual handling investment and portfolio management responsibilities in a family passes
away, the family has a professional to consult – not a stranger they have to explain their
priorities to at length, but someone who has built a bond with mom or dad and perhaps their
adult children.

You want an advisor who can play a fiduciary role. Look for a financial advisor who upholds a
fiduciary standard. Advisors who build their businesses on a fiduciary standard tend to work on
a fee basis, or entirely for fees. Other financial services industry professionals earn much of
their compensation from commissions linked to trades or product sales.

Commission-based financial professionals don’t necessarily have to abide by a fiduciary
standard. Sometimes, only a suitability standard must be met. The difference may seem minor,
but it really isn’t. The suitability standard, which hails back to the days of cold-calling stock
brokers, dictates that you should recommend investments that are “suitable” to a client. Think
about the leeway that can potentially provide to a commission-based advisor. In contrast, a
financial advisor working by a fiduciary standard has an ethical requirement to act in a client’s
best interest at all times, and to recommend investments or products that clearly correspond to
that best interest. The client comes first.

You want an advisor who looks out for you. The best financial advisors earn trust through their
character, ability and candor. In handling portfolios for myriad clients, they have learned to
watch for certain concerns, and to be aware of certain issues that may get in the way of wealth
building or wealth retention.

Take account and fund fees, for example. These can subtly eat into retirement savings.
According to Investment Company Institute research, annual expense ratios of stock funds
averaged 0.77% in 2012. So why do many investors endure annual fund fees well above 1%?
(The typical equity mutual fund charges an investor 1.3-1.5% a year.) An advisor acting in your
best interest could alert you to egregious fees and work with you to find alternatives. 1,2

Many investors have built impressive and varied portfolios but lack long-term wealth
management strategies. Money has been made, but little attention has been given to tax
efficiency or risk exposure.

As you near retirement age, playing defense becomes more and more important. A trusted
financial advisor could help you determine a risk and tax management approach with the
potential to preserve your portfolio assets and your estate.

Your family will want nothing less. With a skilled financial advisor around to act as a “co-pilot”
for your portfolio, your loved ones have someone to contact should the unexpected happen.
When you have an advisor who can step up and play a fiduciary role for you today and
tomorrow, you have a professional whose service and guidance can potentially add value to
your financial life.

If you’re the family member in charge of investments and crucial financial matters, don’t let
that knowledge disappear at your passing. A will or a trust can transfer assets, but not the
acumen by which they have been accumulated. A relationship with a trusted financial advisor
may help to convey it to others.

Tom Chancellor is a Certified Financial Planner Professional helping clients enhance their financial peace of mind. Tom spent 20 years as a marriage and family therapist and now incorporates resources from psychology, communications, and relationship studies in financial planning for people who experience life-changing events. Tom helps his clients and other financial professionals respond to life transitions such as divorce, death of a spouse, retirement, receipt of an inheritance and legal settlements. Contact Tom with questions at tom@teaktreecapital.com.
 
Securities offered through Comprehensive Asset Management and Servicing, Inc. (“CAMAS”), 2001 Hwy 46, Ste. 506, Parsippany,  NJ 07054,1-800-637-3211.  Member FINRA/SIPC. Teak Tree Capital Management, LLC,  is independent of CAMAS.
 
This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.
1 - forbes.com/sites/johnwasik/2013/06/27/why-mutual- fund-fees- are-too- high/ [6/27/13]
2 - investopedia.com/university/mutualfunds/mutualfunds2.asp [12/5/13]