Client LOGIN

The Navigated Journey™

Where integration creates value

Your financial life isn’t a collection of separate services. It’s an interconnected system where every decision influences every other outcome. The Navigated Journey™ coordinates every aspect of your wealth into one comprehensive strategy.

Comprehensive and Integrated Financial Planning

Fragmented advice can mean missed critical opportunities. At Piton, financial planning embraces retirement planning, estate planning, strategic tax planning, charitable giving and more. If different components of your finances are not coordinated, you can leave value on the table. Our team wants your financial life to support your life goals.

the navigated journey financial planning

Why optimize one dimension, when Piton advisors work to optimize all dimensions?

Learn more about multi-dimensional analysis in financial planning from Piton Wealth Advisor Nick Mercer CFP®

The Four Phases

Phase 1

Alignment Call

Discovering the Right Fit

Before you decide on a formal engagement with Piton as a client, we want to determine if Piton will be the right partner for your journey. This call is not a sales presentation: it is an honest assessment. We explore your situation, explain our approach, discuss fees transparently, and together decide if there is strong fit. Not every prospect becomes a client. For anyone who will not become a client, our team always makes sure that you do have a positive next step to take. If the fit is right, we move you forward with an advisor when we are confident that we can deliver exceptional value.

What Happens:
  • Discussion of your goals and
    current situation
  • Explanation of our integrated approach
  • Transparent fee structure conversation
  • Mutual fit assessment
  • Duration: 15+ minutes
  • Format: Video or in-person
  • Cost: None
Phase 2

Data with Purpose

Discover

We dive deep into your entire financial life: assets, income, taxes, estate plans, risk tolerance, family dynamics, values, aspirations. We don’t use standardized questionnaires—we spend time understanding your unique story because, for us, a comprehensive discovery drives superior strategy.

What We Explore:
  • All financial assets, accounts, and obligations
  • Income sources and tax situation
  • Estate documents and legacy goals
  • Risk tolerance and concerns
  • Values and life vision
  • Family dynamics that influence decisions
  • Duration: 2+ meetings over several weeks
  • Your involvement: Significant
Phase 3

Integrated Strategy

Design & Realize

Our team of financial professionals analyzes all the components of your financial life, with the goal of a plan that serves your financial interest while remaining oriented toward your goals and aligned with your values. We identify optimization opportunities that emerge when viewing the complete picture. We synthesize this analysis into comprehensive recommendations with clear action steps. By the end of the Realize meeting, clients should have a robust financial plan oriented toward your life goals and aligned with your values. This will be a detailed written plan, visual strategy maps, and an extended presentation meeting where we walk through everything interactively.

What You Receive:
  • Comprehensive written plan
  • Integration analysis showing how pieces connect
  • Prioritized action items
  • Alternative scenarios we considered
  • Duration: 2 meetings across several weeks
  • Outcome: Complete strategy with implementation path
Phase 4

Ongoing Partnership

Achieve
Your journey continues with regular reviews, proactive communication, and continuous optimization. When life changes— career shifts, inheritances, family changes—we adapt your strategy accordingly. This is where partnership delivers sustained value over time.
What: Ongoing Partnership IncludYou Receive:
  • Regular review meetings
  • Proactive outreach when opportunities arise or change
  • Continuous monitoring and optimization
  • Life event guidance and strategy adaptation
  • Coordination with your CPA and attorney
  • Responsive support between meetings
  • Duration: Ongoing
  • Outcome: Financial confidence that evolves with your life

Real Scenarios, Real Value

Example 1: Pre-Retirement Tax Optimization

The Situation:

Client approaching retirement, currently high tax bracket, large
traditional IRA.

Standalone approach:

File taxes annually, face large RMD tax burden in retirement.

Integrated approach:

Coordinate five-year Roth conversion strategy with retirement timing, investment allocation, and cash flow management. Convert $350,000 during working years at lower effective rates.

Value created:

Save $180,000+ in lifetime taxes, eliminate RMD requirements

Example 2: Pre-Retirement Tax Optimization

The Situation:

Client approaching retirement, currently high tax bracket, large
traditional IRA.

Standalone approach:

File taxes annually, face large RMD tax burden in retirement.

Integrated approach:

Coordinate five-year Roth conversion strategy with retirement timing, investment allocation, and cash flow management. Convert $350,000 during working years at lower effective rates.

Value created:

Save $180,000+ in lifetime taxes, eliminate RMD requirements

Example 3: Business Sale Preparation

The Situation:

Business owner planning sale in 18 months, expecting $3M proceeds

Standalone approach:

Focus on sale price, handle taxes after the fact, invest proceeds reactively.

Integrated approach:

18-month coordinated plan covering transaction structure, tax minimization, charitable giving timing, retirement projections, investment strategy, estate plan updates—all coordinated before, during, and after sale.

Value created:

Save $200,000+ in taxes, smooth transition to retirement, clear financial confidence.

Example 4: Multi-State Relocation

The Situation:

Retiring from California to zero-tax state, significant traditional IRA.

Standalone approach:

Move, handle logistics reactively.

Integrated approach:

Multi-year strategy coordinating relocation timing with income/deduction timing, accelerated Roth conversions, rental property structuring, domicile establishment, estate plan updates for new state.

Value created:

Save $150,000+ over retirement through strategic coordination.

What Makes Our Journey Different

Advisors all CFP® Professionals

Every advisor holds the profession's gold standard. Plus executive education from Wharton, Stanford, MIT.

Proprietary Process

The Navigated Journey™ isn't borrowed—we developed it to deliver comprehensive integration.

No High Pressure

We work to serve clients with intimate attention and proactive partnership.

Nationwide Service

We serve clients throughout the US.

Begin Your Navigated Journey

If comprehensive, integrated wealth management resonates with you—if you value expertise and genuine partnership over fragmented advice—let’s explore whether we’re the right fit.

The first step: schedule an alignment call. We’ll discuss your situation, explain our approach, and together determine if there’s strong mutual fit. No pressure, no obligation.

Schedule Your Alignment Call

Frequently Asked Questions

2-3 months from alignment call to implemented strategy for most clients. Some situations require more time for
complexity; others move faster.

Fees depend on situation complexity. We discuss costs transparently during your alignment call—no surprises, no hidden charges.
No. Some clients choose planning services while managing investments elsewhere. Others engage with both. We’ll discuss what fits your needs.

Quarterly for most clients. Complex situations may meet more frequently; stable situations less often. Plus proactive contact when opportunities arise.

This is why ongoing partnership matters. When life changes, we adapt your strategy accordingly through special planning sessions and updated analysis.
With your permission, we communicate with your other advisors to ensure coordinated recommendations. Many clients find this makes everyone’s work easier.
We’ll have an honest conversation about concerns. If we can’t resolve them, we’ll part ways professionally. We earn your ongoing business by delivering value continuously

Ready to Experience Integration?

Schedule Alignment Call

Or subscribe to Fresh Advice for monthly insights:

Subscribe