Wealth Advisors For High Net Worth Individuals

A wealth manager focused on high-net-worth individuals delivers financial planning and private investment management tailored to complex and evolving financial needs. These professionals offer strategic planning across the full spectrum of wealth management, ranging from accumulation to preservation, and ultimately, to the thoughtful distribution of assets. Their role involves aligning long-term strategies with each client’s financial goals, ensuring each decision supports sustained growth and effective wealth transfer.

How to Find a High Net Worth Wealth Advisor
What do wealth advisors do?
Wealth advisory services
How do I find a wealth advisor?
What to look for when interviewing wealth advisors?
The Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Wealth Advisor
Is a wealth advisor worth it?

Wealth management for high-net-worth individuals encompasses several critical areas, including advanced tax planning strategies, comprehensive estate planning, and the structuring of philanthropic initiatives. It addresses the unique challenges that come with managing significant wealth. Wealth managers may assist clients in navigating cross-border investment considerations, mitigating the effects of market volatility on large portfolios, and understanding the legal nuances of transferring assets across generations.

This form of wealth management requires more than just financial planning. It often involves a deep understanding of a client’s personal milestones, long-term goals, and values.

By aligning wealth planning with life events—such as funding children’s education, supporting charitable causes, or preparing succession strategies for family-owned businesses—wealth managers can help clients develop frameworks that reflect both their financial and personal priorities. This holistic, client-centered approach supports high-net-worth individuals as they address the complexities of wealth while working toward their broader vision and long-term aspirations.

How to Find a High Net Worth Wealth Advisor

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote in The Rich Boy, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.” That difference becomes especially relevant when evaluating the specialized wealth advisory services designed for individuals with substantial assets.

While mass affluent individuals—those with $100,000 to $1 million in assets—may benefit from general financial planning, high-net-worth individuals, typically defined as having over $1 million in investable assets, often require a more tailored approach. Their complex portfolios, tax considerations, and estate strategies demand a wealth manager equipped to navigate these intricacies.

Choosing a wealth manager for high-net-worth wealth management involves evaluating their ability to deliver more than just investment advice. It may mean working with an individual or a team of professionals experienced in private wealth management firms, offering services beyond the scope of typical planning practices.

Here are several steps to help you select a wealth advisor aligned with your financial priorities:

Seek professionals with a strong background in long-term wealth planning.
Avoid those who focus primarily on product sales.
Schedule multiple meetings to evaluate their approach and fit.
Look for firms offering integrated wealth advisory services, not just portfolio management.
Consider whether the firm has the necessary scale and capabilities to support your financial complexity.

By following these guidelines, you can more confidently navigate your options and find a professional suited to your long-term goals and evolving financial picture.

Look for advisors with extensive experience in long-term financial planning

“Sustainability is a very large concern of theirs—especially the long-term sustainability of their assets,” says Adam Carlin, a private wealth advisor at a national private wealth management firm. He notes that high-net-worth clients often evaluate this in terms of how many future generations or philanthropic initiatives could benefit from their accumulated wealth. “The challenge for these clients is to find an advisory team that can craft a comprehensive financial strategy tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each family.”

This need for personalization often limits the pool of suitable advisors. High-net-worth individuals typically seek wealth managers who can go beyond conventional financial planning—those capable of creating strategies that reflect personal values and long-range objectives.

Travis Maus, CEO of a financial planning group in Tennessee, adds that the financial advisory space for affluent clients is highly competitive. “High-net-worth clients are highly sought after; it often feels like everyone is vying for a piece of their wealth,” he explains. That reality underscores the importance of selecting wealth managers who focus on long-term planning and client priorities, rather than on product-driven sales or transactional relationships.

Steer clear of advisors primarily focused on selling products

Travis Maus emphasizes the importance of choosing a financial advisor with a clear and transparent compensation structure, preferably where clients pay directly for financial planning services. He cautions that some advisors, whose earnings are primarily derived from product sales or investment management commissions, may prioritize sales goals over the long-term financial interests of their clients.

The distinction often lies in how the advisor is compensated. Advisors who receive commissions from selling financial products, such as mutual funds, insurance policies, or annuities, may be more accurately described as sales professionals rather than impartial planners. This differs from fee-only advisors, who are paid directly by their clients and do not earn commissions, helping reduce potential conflicts of interest.

Jen Reid, a certified financial planner, observes that it can be challenging to find advisors whose focus remains on planning rather than product distribution. Fee-only advisors often serve high-net-worth clients because their compensation is typically based on a percentage of assets under management or a flat fee aligned with the complexity of services provided. For example, an advisor charging a 1% annual fee would collect $10,000 for managing $1 million in assets.

Reid suggests that high-net-worth individuals may benefit from working with advisors whose compensation reflects the value and complexity of the planning involved, not just the size of the portfolio or the volume of products sold. Individuals exploring wealth advisory services should ensure that any advisor relationship is built on transparent, client-paid fee structures, not sales incentives.

Arrange several interviews to thoroughly assess potential advisors

Jen Reid underscores the value of interviewing multiple wealth advisors or firms before making a decision. “The interview process is highly informative,” she explains. “It gives you a chance to evaluate compatibility on a personal level and assess whether the advisor has the depth of experience required to meet your specific financial needs.”

This step is particularly important for high-net-worth individuals, whose financial lives often require personalized planning and a strong working relationship built on trust and communication. Multiple interviews can reveal whether a potential advisor not only understands complex wealth strategies but also communicates in a way that aligns with your expectations and values.

Matt Pruitt, founder of a Minneapolis-based wealth management firm, notes that many high-net-worth individuals accumulate wealth through entrepreneurial ventures or non-traditional income structures like equity compensation. “It’s essential to work with a wealth manager who understands clients with similar financial backgrounds,” he says. Such specialization can provide more relevant insights than working with someone who offers general wealth management services.

Pruitt also suggests evaluating every touchpoint—from a firm’s website to its onboarding process—to determine whether their approach reflects an understanding of high-net-worth wealth management needs. Advisors who specialize in working with clients like you are more likely to offer planning and services that are tailored to your personal financial journey.

Opt for advisors offering a wide range of services, not just asset management

The needs of high-net-worth individuals often exceed the scope of standard asset management. Effective wealth management near me—or anywhere—requires a broader strategy that integrates cash flow planning, capital preservation, philanthropic strategies, and comprehensive estate planning.

Jen Reid emphasizes the importance of a coordinated team approach: “High-net-worth individuals should have access to a top-tier tax planning team as well as experienced estate planners and attorneys.” She notes that managing substantial wealth often involves preparing a wide range of legal documents, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies.

Karen Harding, a partner in a private wealth practice group, adds that the scope of services for high-net-worth wealth management may also include advanced tax strategies, in-depth financial reporting, philanthropic planning, and even specialized oversight for real estate holdings, household staffing, or private aviation assets.

In many cases, wealth managers may not provide all these services directly but instead coordinate with external professionals to ensure each aspect of a client’s needs is met. This broader planning approach is especially important for clients whose personal and financial lives intersect across multiple generations, jurisdictions, or asset types. A well-rounded wealth advisory strategy should reflect the complexity and individuality of each client’s financial circumstances.

Choose a Firm That Is Well-Equipped with the Necessary Resources to Manage Your Wealth Effectively

Karen Harding emphasizes that high-net-worth individuals should evaluate whether a prospective wealth management firm has the depth of resources and a team with the technical expertise needed to address complex financial needs. This includes not only knowledge of investment strategies but also a command of advanced tax planning, estate structures, and multigenerational wealth transfer.

“It’s crucial to choose an advisor with extensive experience in handling similar financial situations—and who is both trustworthy and approachable,” Harding notes. “A strong, collaborative relationship is essential to long-term financial success.”

Adam Carlin adds that before initiating a relationship, clients should first clarify their own financial goals and expectations. “Without a clear set of objectives, it becomes difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the advisory relationship down the line,” he explains. Establishing these benchmarks from the start helps guide strategy selection and offers a reference point to measure ongoing results.

Firms offering high-net-worth wealth management should be prepared to deliver integrated planning services and provide access to professionals who can address a wide range of financial scenarios. This ensures the strategies developed are not only robust, but aligned with the client’s long-term vision.

What do wealth advisors do?

Wealth advisors are financial professionals who work with individuals requiring comprehensive planning for complex financial lives. In addition to investment management, they may offer services related to estate planning, tax strategy development, charitable giving, and, in some cases, coordination with legal professionals. Their clients often include those with significant assets and the need for broad, integrated wealth advisory services, such as trust administration and multigenerational planning.

Given the depth and complexity of these services, many wealth advisors work with clients who meet a minimum portfolio threshold, often starting at $500,000 or more, though some firms may require multimillion-dollar minimums based on the scope of service provided.

It’s important to understand that the title “wealth advisor” is not a legally regulated designation. As with other financial professionals, there is no single degree or license that defines the title. However, many wealth advisors hold recognized credentials, such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), which reflect a high level of competence and commitment to ongoing professional education.

When considering a wealth advisor, clients should focus on more than just the title. Factors such as relevant qualifications, specific service offerings, and prior experience working with high-net-worth individuals are essential. Many advisors also pursue advanced academic degrees or certifications to better address the sophisticated financial planning needs of their clients.

Wealth advisory services

Wealth advisors provide a broad range of planning services that go beyond what is typically offered by general financial managers. Their role often involves helping clients navigate nearly every aspect of their financial lives—sometimes even in areas that are not traditionally viewed as financial.

These services may include the development of customized investment strategies tailored to a client’s goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. In addition, estate planning support is frequently part of the offering, helping ensure that assets are preserved and passed on efficiently through tools such as wills, trusts, and tax-aware distribution strategies.

Philanthropic planning is another area in which wealth advisors may assist, guiding clients on how to contribute to causes they care about while optimizing tax outcomes. For business owners, succession planning can be a critical service, helping ensure operational continuity and long-term value preservation.

Wealth advisors may also assist with tax strategy development designed to minimize liabilities and maximize after-tax returns. For clients interested in values-based investing, socially responsible investment options have become a growing area of interest, allowing portfolios to align with personal ethics or sustainability goals.

Additionally, some wealth advisors support clients with planning for executive compensation components, such as stock options or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and may also offer guidance on charitable gifting strategies and family support structures. In some cases, advisors help coordinate with outside professionals to address broader life needs, including healthcare planning and elder care considerations.

How do I find a wealth advisor?

When searching for wealth management services, especially as a high-net-worth individual, it’s important to consider the scope, qualifications, and structure of the firm or platform. Below are two examples that reflect different approaches within the wealth advisory space.

The Concepts of Personalization

Some wealth advisory firms provide precisely tailored strategies for high-net-worth individuals, based on a detailed assessment of each client’s financial profile. These services are not generic—they are built around a deep understanding of the client’s current financial standing, long-term aspirations, and tolerance for risk.

The resulting strategies often span multiple areas of financial planning. This can include estate planning to ensure an orderly transfer of wealth, tax-efficient structures to minimize liabilities, and wealth preservation approaches designed to protect assets over time. The goal is to align every decision with the client’s personal financial objectives and help secure a legacy that endures across generations.

Investment Management

Investment management services focus on the strategic allocation and ongoing monitoring of a client’s portfolio to maintain an optimal balance between risk and reward. These services typically include diversified holdings across stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and alternative investments.

Each asset class carries its own risk-return profile, so choices are made based on the client’s goals, time horizon, and appetite for volatility. A core objective of investment management is to build long-term portfolio growth while managing exposure to market shifts, ensuring financial strategies remain aligned with the client’s evolving needs.

Financial Planning

Wealth management includes a broad spectrum of financial planning services, ranging from retirement preparation and education funding to more complex scenarios like liquidity events and multigenerational legacy planning. The goal is to build a personalized and comprehensive financial roadmap.

This roadmap serves as a long-term guide, helping individuals navigate financial decisions with clarity and confidence. It ensures alignment between present needs and future ambitions, offering a structured plan for achieving financial security and legacy goals.

Risk Management

A key function of wealth management is protecting assets against a range of potential risks. Advisors often recommend insurance strategies and risk management techniques as part of a broader financial planning process. These measures are designed to safeguard the individual and their family from disruptions such as lawsuits, market volatility, and unforeseen emergencies.

By integrating risk mitigation tools—including insurance policies, asset protection structures, and diversification—clients can strengthen their long-term financial resilience while reducing exposure to loss.

Estate Planning and Trust Services

Estate planning is essential for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking to preserve their wealth and ensure it is distributed according to their wishes. A well-structured estate plan clarifies how assets will be transferred after death, reducing the likelihood of disputes among beneficiaries. For HNWIs, this process provides both peace of mind and a mechanism to protect loved ones’ financial security while ensuring that the individual’s legacy is honored through clearly defined legal directives, such as wills and succession documents.

Trust structures are often a central component of estate planning for affluent individuals. Trusts offer greater control over the timing and manner of asset distribution, allowing wealth to be passed down efficiently and with specific conditions. They can also serve to reduce estate taxes and shield assets from potential legal claims, such as creditor actions or lawsuits.

In addition to tax efficiency and asset protection, trusts can be tailored to support philanthropic goals or address the unique needs of a beneficiary. This added flexibility allows individuals to direct their wealth in ways that reflect personal values and long-term intentions, making trusts a powerful tool for customized wealth transfer and legacy planning.

Tax Planning

Strategic tax planning is a critical component of comprehensive financial management for both individuals and businesses. This service focuses on legally minimizing tax liabilities while aligning with current laws and anticipating future legislative changes. Effective tax strategies often involve leveraging deductions, credits, and allowances to reduce taxable income.

More advanced planning may include restructuring income streams or assets to improve tax efficiency, timing income recognition and expenditures to defer tax obligations, and establishing structures such as trusts or charitable contributions. Tax-sheltered investment accounts may also be used to support long-term goals while minimizing tax exposure.

Each tax strategy is tailored to the client’s specific financial profile and future objectives. The process includes regular reviews and updates to ensure the plan remains compliant and aligned with evolving regulations and the client’s changing financial circumstances.

Zoe Financial

Zoe Financial functions primarily as a matchmaking platform, connecting clients with vetted financial advisors rather than acting as a traditional advisory firm. The company focuses on pairing individuals with professionals who rank in the top 5% of the industry, many of whom hold prestigious designations such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Advisors within the Zoe network operate under various fee structures. Many follow an assets-under-management (AUM) model, charging between 0.50% and 1.50%, while others offer flat-fee arrangements for clients who prefer predictable pricing. Notably, Zoe Financial does not charge clients for access to its matching services, reinforcing its commitment to a client-first approach.

In addition to core investment and financial advisory services, Zoe’s network includes advisors with specialized expertise in tax planning—an important feature for clients seeking to minimize liabilities and maximize efficiency. Some advisors also offer tax preparation services, ensuring that financial planning and tax strategies are seamlessly integrated and tailored to the client’s unique financial goals.

Harness Wealth

Similar to Zoe Financial, Harness Wealth connects clients with a vetted network of fiduciary, fee-based financial advisors. This network includes professionals such as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), and tax attorneys. Importantly, Harness Wealth does not charge clients for access to this advisory network, maintaining a client-focused, no-cost introduction model.

Advisory firms within the Harness Wealth platform typically charge a percentage of assets under management (AUM), often around 1%. For more specialized services—such as estate planning—flat fees may apply, usually ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the complexity and scope of the service.

What sets Harness Wealth apart is the breadth and specialization of its advisor network. Beyond standard offerings, advisors provide diverse strategies—from traditional index-based investments known for broad market exposure and low fees to more specialized opportunities like direct investments in private companies.

Harness Wealth also stands out for its inclusivity, offering shariah-compliant investment options for clients who seek to align their financial planning with faith-based principles. This diversity in services allows clients to tailor their investment approach based on personal values and financial objectives, making Harness Wealth a highly adaptable choice for a wide range of needs.

Facet Wealth offers a membership-based pricing model that makes comprehensive financial planning more accessible and predictable. Instead of charging per transaction or consultation, the firm applies an all-inclusive annual fee ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. This flat-fee structure provides clients with a straightforward way to manage their financial planning budget without unexpected costs.

Included in this annual membership is unlimited access to a dedicated Certified Financial Planner (CFP), ensuring clients receive personalized and continuous financial advice throughout the year. These advisors are equipped to handle a broad range of financial needs.

Key areas of support include investment management—developing and overseeing portfolios aligned with a client’s goals and risk tolerance—and retirement planning, which involves preparing for long-term financial security through retirement account setup, income estimation, and optimizing the timing of Social Security benefits.

Facet Wealth also assists clients in planning for education costs, offering guidance on 529 plans and other college savings vehicles. For those carrying debt, advisors help develop strategies to reduce obligations across credit cards, student loans, or mortgages. Additional services include insurance planning to safeguard assets and family members, as well as estate planning to ensure that a client’s assets are distributed according to their wishes, with proper attention to legal and tax implications.

The company further enhances its offering by providing free tax-loss harvesting for all taxable accounts. This strategy involves selling securities at a loss and replacing them with similar investments to offset taxes on capital gains and income. By reducing tax liabilities, clients can potentially boost their after-tax returns, leading to stronger long-term investment growth.

All wealth advisors are dedicated Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) and maintain a four-star rating or higher in tax strategy proficiency, ensuring clients receive high-quality guidance. In addition to tax strategies, advisors also offer estate and legacy planning, helping clients prepare for long-term financial security and wealth transfer.

When choosing a wealth advisor, it’s essential to focus on the services that align with your individual financial goals. Make sure potential advisors not only provide but also specialize in areas critical to your needs—whether that’s tax planning, estate structuring, or custom investment strategies. This ensures you find an advisor equipped to navigate your specific financial landscape with precision and care.

What to look for when interviewing wealth advisors?

If you’re considering working with a wealth advisor to help manage significant assets, it’s important to know what to evaluate during the interview process. Charles Zhang, CFP and president of a financial firm in Michigan, recommends seeking out professionals with well-regarded credentials such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).

Zhang also highlights the value of working with a team of specialists rather than relying on a single generalist. For example, one advisor might focus on estate planning while another brings deep expertise in tax strategies. This team-based approach allows clients to receive more comprehensive and specialized planning tailored to their unique needs.

“It’s important that the team has diverse expertise,” Zhang explains. This structure allows for more holistic wealth management planning, ensuring that your strategy is well-rounded, technically sound, and aligned with your long-term objectives. When advisors with complementary skills collaborate, clients benefit from deeper insights across estate planning, tax optimization, investment management, and risk mitigation.

The Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Wealth Advisor

As the name suggests, a wealth advisor typically serves high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offering tailored strategies to address complex financial needs, services that often go beyond those provided by a general financial advisor.

While “wealth advisor” and “financial advisor” are widely used titles in the industry, they are not regulated designations by default. In other words, these titles do not necessarily reflect formal credentials or certifications. That’s why it’s essential for clients to verify the credibility and registration status of any advisor they consider. You can confirm whether an advisor is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or review their professional background through tools like FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

When evaluating a personal financial advisor, be sure to check for appropriate certifications that align with your financial goals. Some of the most relevant credentials include:

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)

For example, if tax strategy is your primary concern, working with a CPA may be more suitable than a CFP. To verify an advisor’s qualifications, visit the official website of the certifying organization, for instance, the CFP Board for Certified Financial Planners.

Taking these verification steps ensures that the advisor you choose not only has the required technical expertise and ethical standards, but also the right specialization for your financial needs.

Is a wealth advisor worth it?

If you are a high-net-worth individual, you may find significant value in working with a wealth advisor, particularly one focused on managing complex portfolios and offering multi-faceted financial planning services. Wealth advisors typically work with clients who have more substantial investable assets, and their fees often reflect the level of service, customization, and planning required for such financial profiles. Costs and service models can vary widely depending on the firm and the advisor’s specific offerings.

However, wealth advisory services are not the only option. For individuals seeking support with financial planning—without the commitment or asset thresholds required for private wealth management—there are digital alternatives. Online financial platforms now provide a wide array of advisory tools, from automated investment management (also known as robo-advisors) to virtual consultations with certified professionals.

These platforms can support needs like retirement strategy, budgeting, investment selection, and overall financial planning at a potentially lower cost. They may be particularly well-suited for those not yet ready to engage a private wealth management firm but still seeking structured financial guidance.

Whether you choose a personal wealth advisor or a digital platform depends on your financial complexity, service expectations, and desired level of personalization. Explore options tailored to your needs:

Browse Financial Advisors Find a Wealth Manager

Compare Investment Firms Plan Your Retirement

Frequently Asked Questions

Do high-net-worth individuals use financial advisors?
Yes. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) often engage financial advisors to manage their wealth due to the complexity of their financial needs. Advisors may assist with investment planning, tax strategies, estate structuring, and long-term wealth preservation—ensuring that substantial assets are managed effectively across various financial dimensions.

What financial advisors do wealthy individuals use?
Wealthy individuals typically work with advisors who specialize in high-net-worth wealth management. These may include private wealth managers at national financial institutions, independent financial advisors with deep experience, or boutique firms offering personalized wealth advisory services. Selection often depends on the complexity of the client’s assets, planning needs, and preferred service model.

How do I choose a high-net-worth financial advisor?
When selecting a financial advisor as an HNWI, consider the following:

Credentials and Experience: Look for recognized designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), along with experience serving clients with complex portfolios.
Range of Services: Ensure the advisor offers essential services such as tax planning, estate planning, and charitable giving strategies.
Fee Structure: Understand how the advisor is compensated—whether through fees, commissions, or a hybrid model.
Personal Compatibility: A good working relationship is important. Trust, communication, and strategic alignment can significantly influence your long-term outcomes.

Evaluating these criteria can help you find an advisor well-suited to your financial goals and planning needs.

How much money do you need to work with a wealth advisor?
Minimum asset requirements vary by firm. Some private wealth management firms set thresholds as low as $250,000, while others require $1 million to $5 million or more in investable assets. For individuals with smaller portfolios, independent financial advisors or planning platforms may offer more flexible service options.

Can a financial advisor help build wealth?
Yes. A financial advisor can support wealth-building by offering personalized investment strategies, tax optimization, budgeting advice, and long-term goal setting. By identifying opportunities and helping avoid costly financial mistakes, an advisor can play a key role in both growing and preserving wealth over time.

Wealth Advisors for High Net Worth Individuals

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