What is Financial Planning?

Financial planning is a continuous endeavor that takes into account all aspects of your finances with the aim of developing strategies to achieve both your immediate and long-term objectives. By engaging in this process, you can gain clarity regarding your current and future financial well-being, while also considering retirement and estate planning needs.

Documents Required

Some key documents that you should plan to gather when discussing financial planning services with your Stark & Marsh advisor could include:

Income Tax Returns: Bring your last two years’ income tax returns. This gives the financial planner an idea of your earnings and tax liabilities.

Pay Stubs: Your most recent pay stubs can provide a clear picture of your income and deductions.

Bank Statements: These can show your saving and spending habits, as well as your current bank balance.

Investment Documents: If you have investments, bring statements or documents related to them. These can include retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, or individual stocks and bonds.

Insurance Policies: Bring documents related to life, health, home, and auto insurance. These can affect your financial planning, especially in the area of risk management and estate planning.

Real Estate Documents: If you own property, bring mortgage statements, deeds, and rental income statements if applicable.

Debt Statements: If you have any debts, like student loans, credit card debts, or car loans, bring recent statements showing how much you owe and your payment schedule.

Estate Planning Documents: If you have a will, power of attorney, or trust documents, bring these as they can impact your financial planning.

Budget or Expense Tracker: If you keep a budget or track your expenses, this information can be very helpful in a financial planning meeting.

Pension Statements: If you have a pension plan, bring your most recent statement.

Business Documents: If you own a business, bring your financial statements, such as balance sheets and income statements.

JANICE BISSONNETTE

ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

jbissonnette@starkmarsh.com

Janice plays a vital role in the development and implementation of Stark & Marsh clients financial plans. Acting as a liaison between clients and the financial planning team, Janice’s primary responsibility is to ensure smooth coordination and effective communication throughout the engagement process.

As an engagement coordinator, Janice works closley with clients to gather all relevant financial information including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Janice will ensure all documents are carefully organized ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. This information serves as the foundation for the financial plan.

Once the financial planning team has analyzed the data, the Janice assists in preparing comprehensive financial reports and presentations.

In addition to document preparation, Janice oversees the scheduling of meetings and appointments. She coordinates with both internal team members and external clients to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that deadlines are met.

Throughout the engagement, Janice keeps track of any changes or updates to the financial plan. She will communicate these changes to the relevant parties, ensuring that all involved are well-informed and able to make informed decisions.

Overall, Janice serves as a crucial link between clients and the financial planning team, ensuring that the financial plan is tailored to the client’s needs and objectives. Through effective coordination and communication, Janice contributes to the successful implementation of the plan and the achievement of the client’s financial goals.