Cornerstone Financial Planning is a fee-only financial planning firm founded in 2001 and based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The firm provides comprehensive, personalized financial planning and investment guidance to individuals, families, trusts, estates, and small businesses. Services cover all areas of personal finance, including retirement planning, tax planning, cash flow management, insurance reviews, investment planning, and estate planning. Cornerstone Financial Planning operates strictly on a fee-only basis, accepting no commissions, finder's fees, or product sales compensation. Clients maintain full control of their assets through outside financial institutions, while Cornerstone Financial Planning provides professional counsel and helps implement agreed-upon strategies. The firm does not manage portfolios directly or exercise authority to make trades without asking first.
Fee Structure
Cornerstone Financial Planning offers ongoing financial planning and annual retainer agreements for clients who need continuous guidance after their first year. For these ongoing relationships:
- Fees are charged on a scheduled basis, such as monthly.
- The service provides continuous access to the advisor for professional counsel and plan updates.
- Fees are earned based on the passage of time rather than the number of topics covered.
- Initial introductory meetings — A fixed fee of $300 for the first two face-to-face meetings (each lasting about 90 minutes) to assess your financial situation and prepare a service quote.
- Comprehensive financial planning engagement — Priced based on the complexity of your situation, with anticipated work billed at $100 per hour, though quoted as a fixed fee.
- Segmented financial planning — Limited engagements or verbal reviews, such as tax return preparation, with fees up to $500.
