From the First Conversation to Ongoing Retirement Planning
You may contact Dovetail after months of thinking about retirement. You may already have several questions, be making a decision, or have a recent change that makes now feel like the right time to talk.
Dovetail primarily works with clients through an ongoing retirement planning and investment management relationship. We begin with what is happening in your life, then connect it to the financial work needed to help you decide and act.
The path below shows how the relationship develops from an initial conversation into ongoing work. The phases are not required appointments. Some may unfold in one conversation, while others take longer because the work needs more information, analysis, or discussion.
How Does the Planning Relationship Develop?
Each phase creates the foundation for the work that follows. The ongoing phase remains open because implementation and review continue after the first decisions are made.
Explain what prompted you to reach out. Ask about Dovetail’s services, fees, and people. Decide whether a deeper conversation makes sense.
Discuss what is happening and how you want to participate. Gather records, confirm important facts, and identify what remains uncertain.
Compare choices and consider Dovetail’s recommendations. Decide what to do. Dovetail helps carry out the financial steps and revisits affected decisions as facts or circumstances change.
Your primary advisor leads the planning and investment work. The broader Dovetail team supports that advisor and helps carry out the work.
What Happens During the Introductory Call?
Bryant Lester, CFP®, leads Dovetail’s introductory calls. He will ask what prompted you to reach out and what you want help with. You can ask about services, fees, the first year of work, and the people you may work with.
If it makes sense to continue, Bryant will arrange a conversation with founder Ross Marino, CFP®, CeFT®, or another Dovetail advisor. If you prefer a particular advisor, tell Bryant.
The introductory call is not a recommendation meeting. It helps both sides decide whether a deeper conversation makes sense. You do not need detailed financial records for this first call.
What Should You Expect During the First Year?
The first year usually begins with understanding and organization. Financial analysis and recommendations follow. Decisions and implementation come next when the work is ready. Timing depends on the questions involved and any deadlines that apply.
Confirm the foundation. Separate verified facts from estimates and identify important information that is still missing.
Set the order of work. Determine which connected decisions need attention first and which can wait for better information.
Move from analysis to action. Compare choices, discuss recommendations, decide what to do, and agree on the first implementation steps.
Establish what comes next. Record what remains open and what should be monitored or revisited later.
Who May Take Part?
Spouses and Partners
Each person should be able to understand the decisions that affect them. The level of detail and way each person participates can differ.
Family, Friends, and Other Trusted People
You may invite someone into selected conversations. We confirm what information may be shared and whether that person has any separate legal authority.
The Dovetail Team
Clients have a primary advisor and access to team support. Backup coverage helps another team member assist when needed.
Outside Professionals
With your permission, Dovetail may coordinate with your tax professional, attorney, or insurance professional. Each professional remains responsible for advice within that person’s role.
Where Does Crossroads Fit?
Crossroads helps separate decisions that need attention now from questions that need more information. It can be used at different points in the relationship.
Crossroads sits alongside these phases. It is not another phase that every client must complete.
How Can You Prepare for the Introductory Call?
You do not need to assemble a complete financial file. It may help to write down what prompted you to reach out, what you want help with, and any deadline that could affect the decision.
You may also want to ask about services, fees, the first year of work, and who would serve as your advisor.
Ready for the Introductory Call?
Bring the questions or change that prompted you to contact Dovetail. Bryant will explain what happens first and help determine whether a deeper conversation makes sense.
