Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect if I book an appointment with Chris? I am an investment advisor representative, which means I act as a fiduciary for my clients, putting their best interest first. On a first meeting I will take time understanding your goals, needs and financial situation to see if we would be a good fit to work together. Going forward from that first Discovery meeting, you can expect to have a customized financial plan put in place to maximize your retirement through proper investment, tax, and insurance planning strategies.
How do I book an initial Discovery Meeting with Chris? It's simple! Just click on the "Schedule a Consultation" button at the top of page. This will take you to Chris' online calendar where you can choose to book a Phone, Zoom, or In-Person meeting with Chris.
How do you help me financially navigate retirement? I start with understanding your goals, needs and personal financial situation. From there we together begin building a personalized plan over usually 3 meetings—covering income, investments, taxes, estate planning, and more—designed to help you live the life you want, not just the one you can get by on. Planning continues with ongoing support and regular check-ins to keep your strategy aligned as life evolves.
What type of people typically work with Hammond Wealth Advisory? I work with people from all walks of life. That said most of my clients are nearing retirement within the next 5 years and need help investing their accumulated retirement assets, generating income from their portfolio for retirement, minimizing taxes, making sure the money they've already accumulated lasts the rest of their life and ultimately is passed on to the people they love most. They have done an excellent job of saving but don’t want to be burdened with the responsibility of doing everything needed to get the most out of their money and their retirement planning. If we can’t work with you, we’ll do our best to answer any questions you have and point you to someone who can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out today to see what’s possible with your financial planning.
Where will my money be? Do I still own my accounts? Your assets are typically held at Fidelity or Charles Schwab—both independent custodians. Think of them as secure vaults where your accounts remain in your name and under your control. I serve as your advisor with limited authority to manage the accounts on your behalf. I don’t work for Fidelity or Schwab, and I don’t earn commissions from them, so every recommendation is made solely in your best interest.
Do we have to commit long-term? No. There’s no long-term contract required. Billing is monthly, and you’re free to cancel anytime with just an email. I believe trust comes from the value we provide, not from locking you into an agreement.
What services do you offer? My mission is simple: to help you make the most of your life by making the most of your money. That starts with taking the weight of financial planning off your shoulders. We handle the details so you can focus on what matters most. We support our clients with: — Retirement planning — Investment management — Tax planning — Estate planning — Insurance review — Cash flow planning And everything else needed to help you feel confident, comfortable, and even excited about your financial future.
How do you handle tax planning? I specialize in proactive tax planning—not tax preparation. My focus is on identifying and implementing strategies such as Roth conversions, tax-gain and loss harvesting, charitable planning, and income optimization to help manage healthcare costs or subsidies. All recommendations are designed to align with your broader financial goals. While I don’t prepare or file tax returns, I work closely with your CPA to ensure strategies are executed accurately and seamlessly.
What is your investment philosophy? My investment philosophy centers on simplicity, efficiency, and sustainable long-term income—not market timing or performance chasing. I use low-cost, diversified investments such as index funds and ETFs, and tailor each portfolio to your specific needs, tax considerations, and income objectives. Whether building around existing holdings or making thoughtful adjustments, the goal is always the same: ensuring your wealth supports your lifestyle for the rest of your life.
Does an initial Discovery Meeting cost anything? No. The initial Discovery Meeting is a no obligation meeting where we can both get to know each other and see if there would be a good fit to work together. We will go over your goals, when you want to retire, your spending needs, and overall financial situation. If I am able to help you based on your unique factors, we can discuss next steps from there.