In personal finance, conversations often center on strategies like Roth conversions or generation-skipping trusts. These tools can be useful in the right situations but using them without a broader framework is risky. The real risk isn’t missing a sophisticated strategy – it’s making decisions without a clear plan. That’s why we recommend starting with a wealth plan.
A wealth plan provides structure and direction. It clarifies what you want your money to accomplish and creates a framework for better financial decisions over time.
Don’t Invest Without a Plan
Investing without a plan is, at best, educated guessing. Without clarity around priorities, time horizons, and trade-offs, it’s difficult to know how much risk makes sense (or whether a certain strategy is necessary).
A well-designed wealth plan helps estimate the return required to support your long-term objectives, reducing the temptation to take on unnecessary risk. Importantly, your wealth plan should be built to adapt. Markets change. Tax laws evolve. Life rarely follows a straight line. A plan serves as a steady reference point as circumstances shift, helping you create a margin of safety to support the life you want while you continue to build wealth.
We Are Only Human
Traditional financial planning often assumes perfect discipline and rational decision-making. Real life tells a different story.
Behavioral finance recognizes that emotions, habits, and past experiences shape our decisions about money. Rather than fighting human nature, the planning process works with it – combining behavioral insight with technical analysis to create strategies that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with personal priorities, not just optimized on paper.
Preparing for What’s Ahead
One of the hardest parts of planning is seeing how today’s decisions play out over time. Modern planning tools help make those trade-offs visible.
The process is iterative, starting with the most immediate questions. From there, different paths – adjusting spending, changing work plans, or navigating major life decisions—can be explored and stress-tested. This clarity often leads to more confident, informed choices.
The Scope of a Wealth Plan
A wealth plan can focus on specific areas or provide a broader view of your financial life, including:
- Liquidity & Cash Flow – Supporting lifestyle needs with confidence
- Tax Planning – Managing taxes over a lifetime, not just this year
- Risk Management – Preparing for the unexpected
- Estate & Legacy Planning – Ensuring wealth transfers as intended
- Business & Employment Planning – Navigating liquidity events and benefits
- Getting Started Is Simpler Than It Sounds
Beginning the planning process doesn’t require organizing an entire financial life. A few high-level inputs are usually enough to start:
- Age, marital status, and family considerations
- Current concerns and longer-term priorities
- Approximate assets and liabilities
- Income and estimated living expenses
Please reach out to your Wealth Manager to get started on your plan.
Weekly Commentary
Why a Wealth Plan is the Ultimate Investment
Mallon FitzPatrick
In personal finance, conversations often center on strategies like Roth conversions or generation-skipping trusts. These tools can be useful in the right situations but using them without a broader framework is risky. The real risk isn’t missing a sophisticated strategy – it’s making decisions without a clear plan. That’s why we recommend starting with a wealth plan.
A wealth plan provides structure and direction. It clarifies what you want your money to accomplish and creates a framework for better financial decisions over time.
Don’t Invest Without a Plan
Investing without a plan is, at best, educated guessing. Without clarity around priorities, time horizons, and trade-offs, it’s difficult to know how much risk makes sense (or whether a certain strategy is necessary).
A well-designed wealth plan helps estimate the return required to support your long-term objectives, reducing the temptation to take on unnecessary risk. Importantly, your wealth plan should be built to adapt. Markets change. Tax laws evolve. Life rarely follows a straight line. A plan serves as a steady reference point as circumstances shift, helping you create a margin of safety to support the life you want while you continue to build wealth.
We Are Only Human
Traditional financial planning often assumes perfect discipline and rational decision-making. Real life tells a different story.
Behavioral finance recognizes that emotions, habits, and past experiences shape our decisions about money. Rather than fighting human nature, the planning process works with it – combining behavioral insight with technical analysis to create strategies that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with personal priorities, not just optimized on paper.
Preparing for What’s Ahead
One of the hardest parts of planning is seeing how today’s decisions play out over time. Modern planning tools help make those trade-offs visible.
The process is iterative, starting with the most immediate questions. From there, different paths – adjusting spending, changing work plans, or navigating major life decisions—can be explored and stress-tested. This clarity often leads to more confident, informed choices.
The Scope of a Wealth Plan
A wealth plan can focus on specific areas or provide a broader view of your financial life, including:
Beginning the planning process doesn’t require organizing an entire financial life. A few high-level inputs are usually enough to start:
Please reach out to your Wealth Manager to get started on your plan.
Disclosure and Source
Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. This material is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. It does not constitute a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, has not been tailored to the needs of any specific investor, and should not provide the basis for any investment decision. Please consult with your Advisor prior to making any Investment decisions. The information contained herein was carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but Robertson Stephens cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Information, views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation, are based on the information available at the time, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Robertson Stephens assumes no duty to update this information. Unless otherwise noted, any individual opinions presented are those of the author and not necessarily those of Robertson Stephens. Indices are unmanaged and reflect the reinvestment of all income or dividends but do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses which would reduce returns. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Forward-looking performance targets or estimates are not guaranteed and may not be achieved. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Alternative investments are only available to qualified investors and are not suitable for all investors. Alternative investments include risks such as illiquidity, long time horizons, reduced transparency, and significant loss of principal. This material is an investment advisory publication intended for investment advisory clients and prospective clients only. Robertson Stephens only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Robertson Stephens’ current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Robertson Stephens’ business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. © 2026 Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Robertson Stephens is a registered trademark of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. A2955
Talk To Us