True North Financial Planning

The firm operates on a fee-only basis, consistent with common small-RIA practice. It likely structures compensation as a percentage of assets under management, a flat annual retainer, or a hybrid of both. This model aligns True North's incentives with client outcomes rather than product sales, as no commissions, 12b-1 fees, or revenue-sharing agreements with fund companies are available.

True North does not take custody of client assets; securities are held at an independent third-party custodian, as is standard for registered investment advisors. Common custodial partners for firms in this segment include Charles Schwab, Fidelity Institutional, and Pershing. The custodial relationship ensures client funds remain segregated from the advisory entity, a fundamental structural protection.

No. The firm's investment approach relies on third-party exchange-traded funds, institutional mutual funds, and individual fixed-income securities. This open-architecture model eliminates the conflict inherent in in-house product distribution and allows True North to terminate or replace investment strategies without legacy commitments.

True North emphasizes liability-driven fixed-income construction — building bond ladders and duration-matched portfolios calibrated to specific withdrawal timelines. Rather than seeking total-return outperformance in credit markets, the firm treats fixed income as the primary tool for securing dollar-defined lifestyle needs across retirement, a posture that de-emphasizes high-yield and long-duration bets.

The firm operates independently as an LLC with no disclosed broker-dealer or insurance affiliate. This structure subjects the practice to the Investment Advisers Act fiduciary standard, which requires advice to be in the client's best interest without the conflicts permitted under FINRA's suitability standard for broker-dealers.