Trusted Fee-Only Financial Advisors in San Diego

Meet the Platt Wealth Management Team of Fee-Only Advisors

Platt Wealth Management is only among the best because we have the best advisors serving our clients and looking out for their interests. Here’s a closer look at our team of industry-leading advisors:

Jeff Platt, JD, LLM, CFA, CFP® – Founder and Chief Investment Officer

Jeff Platt is Platt Wealth Management’s founder and Chief Investment Officer, and he works to oversee investments and strategic planning at the firm. Jeff earned his BA in political science from UCLA and Juris Doctor and LLM in Taxation from Western State University. He’s a certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered financial analyst (CFA).

With a strong background in real estate investing, Jeff also advises clients on evaluating real estate opportunities as part of their broader financial strategy. Whether assessing potential deals, incorporating real estate holdings into a diversified portfolio, or optimizing tax strategies for investment properties, he brings extensive knowledge to help real estate investors make informed financial decisions.

Jeff also serves the community and sits on the Board of Directors of various San Diego organizations, including the United Way of San Diego and the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego. He was named the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2016.

Curtis West, CFP®, MSBA – Lead Financial Advisor

Curtis West brings nearly 20 years of experience in financial services to Platt Wealth Management and specializes in helping clients define their goals and maximize their resources to achieve financial success. Curtis earned a Bachelor of Science Management from Clemson University, a Personal Financial Planning Certificate and a Master of Science Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Outside of work, Curtis lives an adventurous lifestyle that helps him make meaningful connections with people. An avid mountain biker and classic car and motorcycle enthusiast, Curtis also annually volunteers at CalEx Experience Camp, a week-long summer camp for grieving children who have experienced the loss of a family member. Learn more about Curtis and schedule a consultation with him today.

Kai Kramer, CFA Candidate Level 1 – Financial Advisor

At Platt Wealth Management, Kai Kramer specializes in portfolio management, research and financial planning. He holds a BA in Economics from UCLA and is a CFA Candidate Level 1 and Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor. As part of his role, he monitors and evaluates client portfolios, conducts research and arranges comprehensive reports to review with clients to help them meet their financial goals.

What is a Fee-Only Financial Advisor?

A fee-only financial advisor is a model where financial advisors only earn money based on the fees that they provide for their clients. This differs from a commission-based model, where money is earned for selling investment products.

Fee-only models are often preferred to commission-based services for several reasons. For starters, there’s a greater deal of transparency and clients know just how much they’re paying for services. Additionally, a fee-only firm is more aligned with its client’s financial well-being and best interests by eliminating any conflict of interest that may arise from selling products.

Learn more about the fee-only model to determine if it’s right for you.

Why Choosing a Fiduciary Financial Advisor Matters

Why does it matter to select a fiduciary financial advisor? It’s largely because a fiduciary is legally and ethically obligated to work in the best interests of its clients. That’s the fiduciary standard – and it applies to all types of fiduciary entities, financial advisors included.

This is in contrast to a non-fiduciary advisor, which is not held to the same ethical standards as a fiduciary advisor. The biggest difference between a fiduciary and a non-fiduciary is that non-fiduciaries only need to ensure that their financial recommendations and advice are “suitable.”

A simple example would be to take an investment selection. For instance, a client may consider rolling their 401(k) into an IRA to maximize their return. In a fiduciary structure, the advisor would take the time to analyze fees, return on investment and any tax implications before making their recommendation on whether to proceed based on what’s best for the client. In a non-fiduciary model, the advisor might disregard this and recommend the transfer because it would mean more commission for them.

Top Benefits of Working with a Fee-Only Fiduciary in San Diego

While there are many benefits of working with a fee-only fiduciary in San Diego, some of the leading advantages include:

1. Personalized, unbiased financial advice.
2. Financial advice that reflects San Diego’s unique economic factors.
3. Financial advice is based on fees per service, not on commission. This helps avoid any conflict of interest.
4. Empowering clients to save money on taxes, optimize investments and assist with retirement planning.

Common Financial Services Offered by Fee-Only Financial Advisors

There are many services you can expect to receive when working with a fee-only financial advisor. Some of the comprehensive financial planning services include:

• Retirement planning
• Investment management services
• Tax planning
• Estate and family legacy planning
• Risk management
• Windfall and inheritance investing and planninig
• Medicare planning
• Social security planning
• Education funding
• Real estate investment analysis and tax optimization

Additionally, fee-only fiduciaries also often offer specialized services such as real estate analysis, real estate private placements and small business financial planning.

How to Identify the Right Financial Advisor in San Diego for Your Needs

To get the financial advice that’s best for you, it’s important to find the right financial advisor. Finding the right financial advisor fit should follow a similar process to making any decision of significance. We suggest doing your homework and narrowing down your list of advisors to two or three firms and proceeding from there. When you get to this stage, schedule consultations with each firm to ask about their financial philosophies, fiduciary duty, investment strategies and fees. The interview stage is also an ideal time to see how you jive on a personal level.

In addition to the basics, you’ll want to assess their experience, credentials and level of expertise in the areas you’re looking for help in.

What Should I Expect to Pay for a Fee-Only Financial Advisor?

Fee-only financing means you’re paying fees for the service that’s provided. At Platt Wealth Management, we use retainer fees that aim to offer more value for your money compared to commission-based models. We’re also always transparent with our fee structure, so you know what to expect, and we’ll put our fees into context with what you can anticipate in terms of long-term returns.

Local Considerations for Financial Advisors in San Diego

Working with a San Diego-based financial advisor provides a distinct advantage, as we understand the region’s unique economic landscape, tax laws, and investment opportunities. Real estate plays a crucial role in wealth building here, and we specialize in investment analysis, tax-efficient strategies, and portfolio diversification to help clients make informed decisions. We also stay current on local tax laws and zoning changes that may impact property investments. Beyond real estate, our expertise extends to state and municipal tax laws, small business financial planning, and industry-specific investment opportunities—ensuring your financial strategy aligns with San Diego’s unique economic conditions.

How Platt Wealth Management Can Help You Achieve Your Financial Goals

Platt Wealth Management combines expert-level service with a bevy of experience to tailor solutions that meet the unique goals of each client. As a fee-only fiduciary, you can rest assured that our advice is what’s best for you (and not what’s best for us). Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and to meet our expert team and discuss your unique needs.

Choosing the Right Financial Services for Your Family’s Future

We know your financial needs may change over time – and we tailor our financial advising services to meet these changing needs. While one day you may be looking to purchase a new home, years later you may be looking into saving for college for your children. Things change – that’s why we take a comprehensive approach to planning for the short-term and long-term. Our fee-only fiduciary status means we’re prioritizing you and aligning our financial strategies directly with your goals, whether it’s a near-term goal or something that’s years down the road.

How to Maximize Your Retirement Savings with a Fee-Only Advisor

From 401(k)s to IRAs to Roth IRAs, fee-only advisors are dedicated to helping clients reach their retirement goals while reducing taxes and optimizing long-term growth. At Platt Wealth Management, we understand the unique challenges involved in retirement planning and can help you understand the various opportunities you can take advantage of. From diversifying your investment portfolio to tax strategies that can help preserve your wealth, we can tailor solutions specific to your financial situation.

Take Control of Your Financial Future with a Fee-Only Advisor

Take the first step toward securing your financial future and contact Platt Wealth Management today for a consultation. As a fee-only fiduciary, you can rest assured that we’re working in your best interest, and we pride ourselves on operating with transparency and integrity to tailor solutions specific to your financial needs and goals.

Contact us today to learn more about Platt Wealth Management and the benefits of working with a San Diego-based fee-only fiduciary.

Knowledgeable and expert.