Frequently Asked Questions

As fiduciary financial advisors, the main thing to know is that we are 100% fee-only, meaning that 100% of our compensation comes directly from fees paid by clients. We never receive a commission or incentive from any outside third party.

In most cases, clients pay a fee based on a percentage of total liquid investment assets, starting at 1%. We also have annual retainer and hybrid fee structures available. Our minimum annual fee is $20,000.

No. We never have since Scott Leonard founded the predecessor firm to Navigoe over 25 years ago – and never will.

No, we don’t have an asset minimum. However, we have found that our services are most valuable for families who have more than $2 million in assets. Regardless of what your current balance sheet looks like, we’re happy to offer a financial consultation and see if we can help.

Our minimum fee for comprehensive wealth management is $1,667 per month.

The two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals at Navigoe are Founding Partner Scott Leonard and Partner Eric Toya. Typically, you will meet with one of the partners who will walk you through the introduction to the firm and the initial onboarding process. Both Scott and Eric work with all clients. You are welcome to meet with either partner throughout your relationship with Navigoe.

Also, our Operations Team keeps Navigoe sailing smoothly. Client Services Manager, Jennifer Okamura-Albert and Client Services Crew Members Heather Johnson and Courtney MacGregor work closely with clients to ensure all of the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.

You bet we are, and proud of it! In short, as a fiduciary, we are legally bound to act solely in your best interest. This is extremely different from the big brokerage firms and banks who have shareholders to answer to and whose advisors are explicitly not fiduciaries.

Not at all. The reality is that most of our clients live in the South Bay and we love doing financial consultations at our historic property in Redondo Beach. We’re also very comfortable meeting on Zoom, so you can choose between in-person and virtual meetings.

First, know that we’re not an accounting firm, so we’re not the ones who prepare and file your taxes. What we do is proactive, forward-looking tax planning throughout the year to reduce your tax burden throughout your life.

If you have an accountant who prepares and files your taxes, we will work closely with them to ensure all the tax planning strategies are properly reflected in your return. Alternatively, we have strategic partners we work very closely with to prepare and file your tax return.

No, we do not. We feel that to truly advise and implement a customized wealth strategy for our clients, our compensation needs to align with an annual “salary” versus hourly work. There are competent hourly-only, fee-only, financial planners available. And that may be an acceptable solution for you. It is just not in line with Navigoe's comprehensive wealth management.

No. We feel financial planning is an ongoing process. A plan is just the beginning. Implementation and ongoing monitoring is a major aspect of Navigoe’s comprehensive wealth management. We have found that our clients prefer to delegate that process to us also.

No, we are not attorneys. However, for many of our clients, we can facilitate the process with them quickly and efficiently. We can connect you with trust lawyers in Redondo Beach to help handle your needs.

Scott Leonard, the founding partner of Navigoe, is a California Certified Professional Fiduciary, which is the license necessary for professionals to be trustees, guardians and conservators in the state of California. While he is not a trust lawyer in Redondo Beach, he can act as trustee and hire Navigoe to provide all the wealth management services.