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Provident Financial Planning
Provident Financial Planning was founded by Paul Michel in 2017 in Southlake, Texas, as a registered investment advisor. Michel, an Accredited Estate Planner...
Provident Financial Planning
Provident Financial Planning was founded by Paul Michel in 2017 in Southlake, Texas, as a registered investment advisor. Michel, an Accredited Estate Planner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, structures the firm around a fiduciary, commission-free model for high-income and high-net-worth families. The practice extends beyond wealth accumulation into corporate cash management and charitable giving through the Provident Widows & Orphans Foundation, which offers free financial, tax, and legal advice to young families after the loss of a spouse. The firm builds custom portfolios using index-ETFs, individual bonds, and alternative investments. It offers coordinated tax preparation and integrated estate plans, wrapping all services into an annual fee model starting at $10,000, which includes the filing of federal and state tax returns. For business clients, the firm implements laddered treasury strategies; a separate offering helps professionals manage equity compensation, employer retirement plans, and real estate. Geographic coverage spans clients in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and multiple other states. Provident Financial Planning operates from headquarters in Southlake with additional offices in Atlanta and Phoenix. A team of four includes Paul Michel as Founder & CEO, Marchelle Michel as Director of Operations, Alex as Client Service Advisor, and Mendi as Director of the affiliated Provident Widows & Orphans Foundation. Michel is a Deacon and LifeGroup director at Prestonwood Baptist Church and serves on the boards of Prestonwood Christian Academy and the Prestonwood Foundation. The firm has been recognized in D-Magazine's listing of top wealth management firms. Provident Financial Planning distinguishes itself by embedding a Christian faith mandate into its fiduciary structure, pairing a transparent flat-fee and AUM-fee model with a separately managed non-profit foundation that serves a distinct community need. The firm is also affiliated with the Ramsey SmartVestor Pro network, providing a distinct referral channel that aligns with its fee-only, education-first posture.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2017
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Addison
Corporate office
Southlake, TX, United States
Additional offices
Atlanta, GA · Phoenix, AZ
Principals
Paul Michel
Founder & CEO
Marchelle Michel
Director of Operations
Alex
Client Service Advisor
Mendi
Director of the Provident Widows & Orphans Foundation
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes the investment decisions at Provident Financial Planning?
Founder and CEO Paul Michel leads the investment function. He holds the CFP and Accredited Estate Planner designations and has created hundreds of custom financial strategies for high-net-worth families, per the firm’s website. The firm does not disclose an investment committee beyond Michel’s direct oversight.
Does Provident Financial Planning operate as a single-family office or a multi-client RIA?
Provident Financial Planning is a registered investment advisor serving multiple clients, not a single-family office. Its service model targets high-income individuals and families, business owners, and non-profit organizations through a transparent, fee-only structure, per its own disclosures.
How does Provident Financial Planning structure its fees?
The firm uses either a flat-fee or an assets-under-management fee model. The annual fee begins at $10,000 and includes the preparation and filing of both federal and state personal tax returns. The firm explicitly notes it eliminates commission conflicts, according to its website.
Is there a minimum asset threshold to become a client?
There is no strict minimum wealth requirement, but the firm states its services are most beneficial for those with at least $750,000 in assets or $350,000 or more in annual income, per its FAQ disclosures.
What asset classes and vehicles does Provident Financial Planning use?
The firm constructs portfolios using individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, index-ETFs, and alternative investments. It also advises on equity compensation, employer retirement plans, and real estate, using a Morningstar data aggregator to assess a client’s full financial picture.
How is the Provident Widows & Orphans Foundation related to the advisory firm?
Paul and Marchelle Michel established the non-profit Provident Widows & Orphans Foundation as a separate charitable entity. It provides free financial, tax, and legal advice to young families who have lost a spouse or parent. Mendi serves as Director of the Foundation, which operates as a distinct community resource from the RIA.
Does Provident Financial Planning participate in alternative investments or private deals?
The firm states it uses "alternative investments" within its custom asset management, but it does not specify allocations to private equity, venture capital, or direct co-investments. The materials suggest a managed-account approach using publicly available and alternative vehicles, with portfolio customization tailored to each client's risk tolerance and tax strategy.
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