Faulkner Financial Planning

The firm operates as a fee-only registered investment advisor, meaning it charges clients directly for services and does not accept commissions from product sales. This structure legally obligates the firm to act as a fiduciary, requiring it to place client interests ahead of its own. The fee-only model is viewed by many allocators and individual investors as reducing conflicts of interest compared to commission-based or hybrid advisory models.

As a registered investment advisor, Faulkner Financial Planning is held to a fiduciary standard under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This requires the firm to provide advice that is in the best interest of its clients and to fully disclose any material conflicts of interest. This contrasts with the suitability standard that applies to broker-dealers, where recommendations must only be suitable for the client but not necessarily the optimal or lowest-cost option.

Information on the firm's specific investment structures is limited, but its business model centers on individualized financial planning and wealth management. This suggests a focus on separately managed accounts tailored to client goals, rather than managing commingled mutual funds or hedge fund vehicles. Institutional allocators seeking fund commitments are unlikely to find pooled vehicles at this firm.

The firm markets itself as a financial planning practice, not simply an investment manager, which implies services extending into retirement, tax, and estate planning. For a fee-only RIA, these are typically integrated into the client relationship rather than outsourced piecemeal, though specific in-house capabilities remain unverified. Clients evaluating the firm should probe whether these planning services are delivered by internal staff or through external partner networks.

The firm's ownership structure has not been publicly documented in detail as of mid-2026. As a limited liability company registered as an RIA, it is likely privately held by its founding or managing principals, but no named principals or equity stakeholders have been confirmed through publicly available records. The absence of disclosed private equity backing or institutional ownership suggests an independent, founder-operated structure.