FAQ

1. What is Darling Wealth Management?
Darling Wealth Management is an independent financial advisory firm rooted in meaningful relationships and personalized planning. The goal is to meet you where you are whether you’re building wealth, navigating a life transition, or seeking guidance on a specific financial decision.

2. What makes Darling Wealth Management different?
The heart of this firm is about deepening your experience, offering more personalized planning, greater flexibility, and a relationship that evolves with your life. Darling Wealth Management has no quotas and no proprietary products to offer. That means recommendations are based solely on your best interest. As a fiduciary, every piece of advice is designed to serve you, not a sales target.

3. What is a fiduciary, and are you one?
A fiduciary is legally and ethically bound to put your best interests first. Yes, Darling Wealth Management operates as a fiduciary. That means every recommendation is made with your goals in mind, free from product requirements or outside pressures.

4. Who is LPL Financial and what role do they play?
LPL Financial is the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, providing the technology, research, and compliance framework that supports your accounts. While your relationship is directly with Darling Wealth Management, LPL serves as the custodian and clearing firm, meaning your assets are held safely and securely, backed by a trusted industry leader.

5. What services do you offer?
Darling Wealth Management provides flexible service models, including:

• Financial Planning: Available even if you don’t have investment accounts to transfer. Plans are tailored to your goals, cash flow, debt, and big life decisions.
• Investment Management: Portfolios aligned with your risk tolerance, time horizon, and values.
• Life Insurance Planning: Protection strategies for individuals and families.
• Divorce Financial Planning (CDFA®): Specialized guidance for those considering, going through, or recovering from divorce.
  
  You may choose one service, or several, depending on your needs. There is no asset minimum to work together.
  
  6. What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) and how can one help?
  A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) helps clients understand the financial impact of divorce decisions. Whether you are considering divorce, currently going through one, or recently divorced, a CDFA® can model settlement scenarios, analyze assets, and provide clarity.
  
  You do not need to be a current investment or planning client to access CDFA® services. These are offered on a retainer basis, with a complimentary 45-minute consultation via Zoom to discuss your situation.

7. Do I need to live in St. Louis to be a client?
No! While Darling Wealth Management is based in St. Louis, MO, most new clients live in other states. Darling Wealth Management works virtually with clients across the country. Meetings are held via Zoom for your convenience.

8. Are you accepting new clients?
Yes. Darling Wealth Management welcomes new clients who value personalized advice whether you’re an ambitious professional, a family planning for the future, or navigating a major life transition.

9. Is there an account minimum to work with you?
No. Darling Wealth Management has no asset minimums. Financial planning can be accessed through service models designed to meet you where you are whether you have investable assets or not.

10. What’s the difference between financial planning and investment management?

• Financial planning looks at your whole financial picture including cash flow, debt, savings, insurance, retirement, taxes, estate considerations, and big life decisions. It’s about creating a strategy that helps align your money with your values and long-term goals. Financial planning gives you the roadmap.
• Investment management focuses on how your money is invested. It involves building and monitoring portfolios that match your risk tolerance, time horizon, and objectives. Investment management is one piece of the larger financial plan, but by itself doesn’t address things like budgeting, debt, or protecting your family with insurance.

At Darling Wealth Management, you can choose financial planning, investment management, or both depending on your needs.

11. What is the process to get started?
Getting started is simple. You can schedule a time to meet online through the website, or email Danielle directly at danielle.darling@lpl.com to set up a conversation. The first meeting is a chance to get to know each other, talk about your goals, and see how Darling Wealth Management can support you.

12. What types of people do you work with?
Darling Wealth Management serves people across generations from young professionals in their 20s to families in midlife transitions to retirees in their 90s. All you need is a willingness to learn, a respect for the financial advisor relationship, and a coachable mindset.

Clients often include:

• Accumulators building wealth
• Pre-retirees and retirees preparing for or navigating retirement
• Individuals in transition such as divorce, job changes, or the loss of a loved one
• Business owners and self-employed professionals (including influencers and entrepreneurs)
• Corporate professionals managing careers, benefits, and stock options

The common thread? Clients who want thoughtful guidance and a trusted relationship as they move through life’s financial decisions.