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Independent fee-only, minority owned SEC Registered Investment Adviser
Resources
Useful guides, calculators, and more
View Our Resources
We’ve collected our favorite calculators and guides for your reference. Find answers to our most common questions below.
FAQs
Our most frequent questions and answers
General Questions
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What services does WBC offer?
Learn MoreWest Branch Capital offers investment management and financial planning services. We are a fee-only, SEC registered Investment Adviser acting in a fiduciary capacity providing holistic Wealth Management Services, Investment Management, Financial Planning, Estate Planning and Tax Strategies.
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What does "fee-only" mean?
West Branch Capital is a fee-only adviser. We do not sell any products or earn commissions, and we have a fiduciary responsibility to work in the best interests of our clients. Fee-Only is the most objective and transparent model of compensation. Fee-Only advisers are compensated directly by clients to advise, implement, and manage assets, never accepting commissions and always disclosing potential conflicts of interest.
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What can I expect from a complimentary introductory meeting?
If you would like to hear more about our services, contact us to schedule an introductory meeting. We do not charge for this meeting and it’s a perfect time for you to ask questions and see if we are a good fit for you, as you navigate your financial future.
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Is there a minimum dollar requirement for WBC to manage my investments?
West Branch Capital does have a minimum requirement for investment management services. Minimum account value may be waived at the discretion of the Adviser.
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Can West Branch Capital work with my tax professional to help me accomplish my goals?
Upon your request, West Branch Capital will work with your tax professional, estate planning attorney and other specialists as required.
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What is the Homestead Act?
The Massachusetts Homestead Act is a law under which a homeowner is protected by an Estate of Homestead. It protects the value of your residence against unsecured creditor claims.
Financial Planning
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What is the best time to complete a financial plan?
It’s never too early to begin thinking about planning for your future, especially as you near retirement age. West Branch Capital clients receive comprehensive financial planning services as a no-cost benefit. Many clients return to update plans as life changes occur, such as college expenses, retirement, and inheritances. Please read more in our ADV brochure.
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I am expecting an inheritance, is this something WBC can help with?
West Branch Capital can assist as you make decisions about how to handle income and expense changes that occur throughout your life.
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What custodians does WBC work with?
West Branch Capital typically recommends that clients establish brokerage accounts at Charles Schwab & Co. or Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services. The recommended custodians are independent and unaffiliated SEC-registered broker-dealers and FINRA members.
College
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When is the best time to begin saving for my child's college education?
It is never too early to begin planning. Please see our March, 2021 blog post, “Investing for a Child”, to learn about the differences between 529 accounts and UTMA/UGMA accounts. You can also review this article for some college savings tips.
Retirement
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What are Required Minimum Distributions?
Starting in 2023, participants who turn age 73 are required to begin taking minimum distributions (“RMDs”) from retirement accounts annually, per the SECURE Act 2.0 passed by Congress in 2022. You can find all the details about SECURE Act 2.0 in our recent blog post.
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Is there a minimum dollar requirement for WBC to manage my investments?
West Branch Capital does have a minimum requirement for investment management services. Minimum account value may be waived at the discretion of the Adviser.
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How can I decide when to begin taking Social Security benefits?
West Branch Capital provides Social Security analysis as part of the financial planning process. We have a few articles on the subject and you can also visit the Social Security Administration.
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West Branch Capital was recognized by investor.com as a 2019 Trusted Firm. View our profile. To learn more about the trust algorithm, visit investor.com/trust-algorithm.
The Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times (June, 2017). The FT 300 is based on data gathered from RIA firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflected each practice’s performance in six primary areas: assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, years in existence, credentials and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of the practice’s future performance. Neither the RIA firms nor their employees pay a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 300.