Firm Size
Services Offered
- Financial Planning
- Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
- Portfolio Management for Businesses or Institutional Clients
- Pension Consulting Services
Types of Clients
- Individuals (Not High Net Worth)
-
Individuals High Net Worth
*>=750k in Investable Assets or >=1.5m of Estimated Total Net Worth
Available Fee Structures
- Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
- Hourly
- Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC Overview
TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is a California-based registered investment advisory firm that specializes in investment advice only. The firm operates on a fee-only basis, meaning that its clients are charged a transparent fee for its services, rather than commission-based compensation. Since its founding in 2021 in Berkeley, the firm has been dedicated to serving the investment planning needs of both individuals and small businesses. TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT offers a suite of services tailored to meet the unique investment and financial planning needs of its clients. The firm's services include financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and portfolio management for businesses or institutional clients. Moreover, the firm provides pension consulting services to help businesses ensure that their retirement plans are aligned with their long-term financial goals. TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT has quickly established itself as a reputable and trustworthy firm in the investment industry. Its comprehensive approach to investment planning, coupled with its fee-only fee arrangement, has helped it attract clients who are seeking unbiased and objective financial advice. As the firm continues to expand its reach and service offerings, it remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in its work.
TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC offers wealth management services to a diverse range of clients, including both individuals and high net worth individuals. Through their personalized approach, the experts at the firm work closely with each client to develop a unique investment strategy that aligns with their specific financial goals and objectives. Whether it's developing a retirement strategy or building an investment portfolio, clients can rest assured that TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC will provide high-quality services and solutions. The fee structures offered by TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC vary depending on the service provided, with options including a percentage of assets under management (AUM), hourly rates, and fixed fees. The percentage of AUM fee structure is often the most common approach and is calculated as a percentage of the assets that the firm manages on behalf of the client. Hourly rates are typically charged for more specific services, such as financial planning or tax preparation. Fixed fees are usually offered for specific services as well, such as setting up a trust or estate planning. TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC remains committed to providing fair and transparent fee structures that align with their clients' needs.
Typical Clients, Fee Structures & Investment Minimum
The investment minimum for TOPEL & DISTASI WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is $500,000, as mentioned in their Part 2 Brochure note about investment minimum. The note specifies that the firm previously required a minimum account balance of $250,000, but this has been increased to $500,000. However, the firm will honor and maintain the $250,000 minimum balance for legacy accounts. While the minimum requirement is generally non-negotiable, it may be waived at the discretion of management.
How This Office Can Help Berkeley, CA Residents
Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management serves the Berkeley, CA area by providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to individuals and families. The firm works with clients to develop custom financial plans that align with their unique goals, risk tolerance, and overall financial situation. This includes investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and more. Many residents in Berkeley, CA face a range of financial challenges, including the high cost of living, the need for retirement planning, and the complexities of managing wealth for estate planning purposes. Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management helps clients navigate these challenges by providing expert financial guidance and personalized investment strategies. Whether someone is just starting to build wealth or is looking to preserve and grow their existing assets, the firm offers tailored solutions to help clients achieve their financial objectives.
Services Offered by Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC
Core Advisor Services
Financial Planning
Financial planning services encompass the process of devising strategies for your future financial well-being, including preparing for events such as retirement, funding your child's college education, or planning for the transfer of assets.
Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
Portfolio management entails the careful selection and strategic management of investment combinations tailored to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses.
Market Timing Services
Market timing services involve the endeavor to generate short-term profits from investments by capitalizing on opportunities to buy at low prices and sell at high prices.
Other Services
Selection of Other Advisors
The firm provides support in selecting and engaging other advisors who possess specialized expertise to complement your financial needs.
Publication of Periodicals or Newsletters
The firm engages in the dissemination of diverse financial educational materials through the publication of periodicals.
Educational Seminars & Workshops
The firm organizes and conducts seminars or workshops aimed at enlightening investors on various financial concepts.
Fee Structures
Financial advisory fees usually are based on the services provided. Fee types charged by Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC most likely consist of the following fee types: asset-based, hourly or fixed. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are not offered by the firm.
Available
Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
This fee structure charges a percentage of the assets under management by the firm. Fee structures are often tiered based on the amount of assets managed, with higher AUM often charged a lower rate.
Between 0.50% and 2.00% of assets under management (annually), often lower for a robo advisor. Fees are typically charged quarterly by the firm and will show on your investment statement. View typical advisor costs here.
~96% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you have $1 million managed by a firm at a 1% management fee, you would be charged $10,000/year to manage your assets (or $2,500 per quarter). This would be automatically deducted from your investment portfolio.
Hourly
Similar to an attorney, a financial consultant might charge fees based on hourly rates. This fee structure can be advantageous when seeking specific or ad hoc advice.
Charges generally span from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the extent of the services required.
~33% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you needed hourly consulting to sell a business or transfer your estate to your children but did not want your assets managed by a firm, you could consult a firm at an hourly rate to answer any questions you may have.
Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Fixed fees are a one-time, lump-sum payment rendered for a specific service, such as creating a financial plan without ongoing management or implementation. This option is beneficial if you solely require guidance for a particular objective rather than a long-term consultancy or asset management.
Fixed fees for creating a financial plan often range from $1,000 to $3,000.
~49% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you did not want a firm to manage your assets but needed to create a retirement plan, life transition plan such as divorce or loss of a spouse, estate transition plan, business financial plan, or any other financial planning, you could consult with an RIA firm to help you with the creation of that plan.
Unavailable
Subscription (Newsletter or Periodical)
Commissions
Occasionally, advisors are compensated through commissions by selling certain financial products, such as mutual funds or life insurance policies, or as a broker-dealer by facilitating the buying and selling of securities. Advisors who receive commissions may be incentivized to make specific suggestions to clients in order to secure a commission. Advisors who operate on a fee-only basis do not earn commissions, whereas fee-based advisors may do so.
Often 3% - 6% of the value of the security.
Only ~3% of registered firms say they offer this fee structure, but other advisors may receive “soft dollars”. Many mutual funds charge 12b-1 fees to cover the promoting and selling of the fund’s shares. While your advisor does not charge these fees, they may receive a kickback for recommending the investment.
An advisor selling their client on a life insurance policy and receiving a commission on the sale of that policy, or recommending a specific investment and receiving a kickback for that recommendation.
Performance-based Fees
Advisors typically obtain performance-based fees if a portfolio surpasses a predefined benchmark. This fee is determined through various methods, but is most commonly assessed as a percentage of investment gains. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to undertake riskier decisions in pursuit of generating higher returns.
“Two and Twenty” is common among hedge funds with a 2% management fee and a 20% incentive fee above the “hurdle rate,” or performance threshold the fund is compared against.
32% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
A hedge fund earns a 15% return with a 20% performance fee in above the performance of the S&P 500, which grew 7% that same year.
20% of fund growth in excess of S&P 500’s 7% growth for that year = 15% hedge fund growth - 7% S&P 500 growth = 8% difference x 20% = 2% performance fee (in addition to the management fee).
Other
Firms occasionally offer unconventional fee structures when charging clients. For more detailed information about a firm’s specific fee structures, please refer to their Form ADV and Part 2 Brochure.
Types of Clients
*The Securities & Exchange Commission defines someone as “high net worth” if they have $750,000 or more in investable assets or $1.5M of estimated total net worth.
This Office Location
Other Office Locations
This firm has no other locations.
State Registrations
Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC is registered to service clients in the following states:
- California
- Louisiana
- New Hampshire
- Texas
Disciplinary History
Topel & Distasi Wealth Management, LLC does not have any disclosures. Please visit it's Form ADV for more details.