Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Financial Advisory Services in Needham, MA
Forness Financial is an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) dedicated to providing comprehensive retirement planning and customized investment advisory services. Established in 2014, our family-owned firm operates with a fiduciary duty to prioritize client needs, leveraging over 75 years of combined experience across our three advisors. We specialize in creating tailored financial strategies for clients with $500,000 or more in investable assets, utilizing no-load institutional mutual funds and ETFs to ensure flexibility and liquidity. Our fee-based model aligns our success with client outcomes, emphasizing transparency and long-term relationships. With expertise in tax planning, estate planning, and elder care strategies, we empower clients to achieve financial security through personalized solutions.Our team's diverse backgrounds, including legal, corporate, and academic experience, enhance our ability to address complex financial challenges. We serve clients in Needham, MA, and surrounding areas, maintaining a boutique approach to deliver focused, client-centric service. Our commitment to integrity, dignity, and empathy guides every interaction, ensuring clients receive objective, ethical guidance. By continuously adapting to market dynamics and client goals, we strive to be a trusted partner in navigating financial futures.
Services
Retirement Planning
Investment Management
Tax Planning
Estate Planning
Elder Care Planning
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We operate under a fiduciary standard, legally obligated to act in clients' best interests.
- Our advisors have 75+ years of combined experience in financial planning and investment management.
- We maintain a fee-only structure with no product commissions or hidden incentives.
- We create fully customized portfolios using institutional-grade, no-load investment vehicles.
- We serve clients with $500,000+ in investable assets requiring sophisticated wealth strategies.
Associations and certifications
- Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Services
Retirement Planning
We develop personalized retirement plans considering income needs, risk tolerance, and tax implications. Our approach combines portfolio construction with withdrawal strategies to ensure financial security throughout retirement. Clients receive ongoing adjustments to maintain alignment with evolving goals and market conditions.
Investment Management
Customized investment portfolios are built using no-load mutual funds and ETFs tailored to individual risk profiles and financial objectives. We emphasize diversification, cost efficiency, and liquidity while maintaining regular performance reviews and rebalancing as needed to optimize returns.
Tax Planning
Our tax-efficient strategies focus on minimizing liabilities through coordinated withdrawal plans from qualified accounts and optimizing social security income taxation. We integrate tax considerations into overall financial planning to enhance after-tax returns and estate preservation.
Estate Planning
We collaborate with legal professionals to create comprehensive estate plans addressing asset distribution, tax mitigation, and legacy goals. Services include document review, executor guidance, and implementation of trusts or charitable giving strategies as required.
Elder Care Planning
This service addresses asset protection strategies for potential elder care needs, including nursing home cost management and Medicaid planning. We coordinate with specialized attorneys to develop plans that preserve wealth while ensuring quality care options.
People
Norman A. Forness
Managing Principal
25+ years as financial advisor with legal background (JD) and CRPC designation. Former Siemens executive. Specializes in retirement planning and wealth management for high-net-worth clients.
Ryan C. Forness
Managing Principal
25+ years experience, CRPC designation. Former Ameriprise executive. Focuses on investment strategies and community involvement in Down syndrome advocacy.
Kimberly S. Forness
Certified Financial Planner
CFP with expertise in retirement counseling and institutional finance. Former MIT Retirement Counselor. Combines academic background with practical experience in comprehensive financial planning.
Questions
What services does Forness Financial offer?
We provide retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, and elder care planning services tailored to high-net-worth individuals.
What is the minimum investment requirement?
We currently require $500,000 or more in investable assets for new client relationships to ensure appropriate service depth.
Are you legally obligated to act in clients' best interests?
Yes, as a Registered Investment Advisor, we operate under a fiduciary standard requiring us to prioritize client interests at all times.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide complimentary consultations including investment analysis to determine if our services align with your needs.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve clients in Needham, MA and surrounding Boston metropolitan areas, with capacity for select remote relationships.
