Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Fee-Only Financial Planning
Capstone Wealth Partners was founded in 2009 with a mission to provide transparent, goals-oriented financial planning focused on the unique needs of college-bound families. Our fee-only fiduciary model prioritizes client needs over product sales, starting with comprehensive financial plans tailored to individual goals and values. With decades of combined experience, our team of certified professionals delivers evidence-driven strategies for college funding, investment management, and long-term financial security. We distinguish ourselves through personalized service, ongoing support, and a commitment to adapting our approach as clients' needs evolve.Our practice is built on trust, education, and a partnership philosophy that values client empowerment over transactional relationships. By integrating academic research with practical financial planning, we help families navigate complex college funding processes and achieve financial clarity. Our transparent fee structure and client-centric focus have established us as trusted advisors in the financial planning industry.
Services
Financial Planning
College Funding Strategies
Investment Management
Tax Coordination
Estate Planning
College Affordability Analysis
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We are independent fee-only fiduciaries with no product sales incentives
- Our college planning expertise addresses unique family financial challenges
- We start with comprehensive goals-based financial plans before investment decisions
- Ongoing support adapts to evolving client needs across life stages
- Our evidence-driven approach integrates decades of academic financial research
What people say
Personalized financial plans
College funding expertise
Transparent fee structure
Ongoing support
Accessible communication
Services
Financial Planning
Our comprehensive financial planning service creates customized strategies aligned with your life goals and values. We analyze your complete financial picture to develop actionable plans addressing education funding, retirement readiness, and wealth preservation. Through ongoing collaboration, we help clients implement evidence-based solutions that evolve with changing life circumstances and market conditions.
College Funding
Specialized college funding services help families navigate financial aid processes and optimize education savings. We provide FAFSA guidance, net cost comparisons, and scholarship strategies to minimize student debt. Our approach combines financial analysis with personalized recommendations for affordable college options and funding sources.
Investment Management
Institutional-quality investment management services utilize diversified strategies based on academic research. We construct portfolios using low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, and SMAs tailored to individual risk tolerance and financial objectives. Our evidence-driven approach emphasizes tax-efficient investing and regular portfolio rebalancing to maintain strategic alignment with client goals.
Tax Coordination
Integrated tax planning services optimize financial strategies through coordinated tax-efficient approaches. We collaborate with accounting professionals to implement tax-reduction strategies across investment decisions, retirement accounts, and estate planning. Our goal is to minimize tax liabilities while supporting long-term wealth accumulation objectives.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate planning ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing tax implications. We coordinate with legal professionals to develop strategies for wealth transfer, charitable giving, and legacy planning. Our approach focuses on creating durable plans that adapt to changing family dynamics and regulatory environments.
People
Joe Messinger
Co-Founder & Financial Planner
Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience specializing in college funding strategies. Holds CFP, ChFC, CLU, and CCFC designations. Focuses on helping families navigate complex financial aid processes while building comprehensive wealth management plans.
Ryan Sheppard
Financial Advisor
Chartered Financial Consultant with expertise in evidence-driven investment strategies. Specializes in creating customized financial plans that integrate college funding with long-term wealth management objectives for families.
Bud Lavery
Financial Planner
Certified Financial Planner professional with focus on retirement planning and college affordability solutions. Combines RICP designation expertise with practical financial guidance for multi-generational wealth planning.
Susan Campbell
Client Experience Manager
FPQP-certified client advocate who coordinates personalized service delivery. Ensures seamless client communication and implementation support across all financial planning services while maintaining fiduciary compliance standards.
Questions
What financial planning services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive financial planning including college funding strategies, investment management, tax coordination, and estate planning tailored to family needs.
How are your services priced?
We offer three service tiers: Foundation Plan ($1,500-$2,500), Capstone Planning ($200-$300/month), and Investment Management (0.25%-1.00% annually on managed assets).
Do you specialize in college funding planning?
Yes, we specialize in college affordability strategies including financial aid navigation, FAFSA guidance, and minimizing student loan requirements through proactive planning.
Are you fiduciary financial advisors?
Yes, we are independent fee-only fiduciaries who do not sell commissionable products and always put client interests first in all recommendations.
How do you implement investment strategies?
We use evidence-driven approaches with diversified portfolios of low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, and SMAs managed through institutional partnerships with Buckingham Strategic Wealth.
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