The Best Question to Ask Clients – And Yourself

By financial planning logo
February 28, 2019
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Written by: Chelsea Emery | Jeff Motske has one of the strongest ways to tease out client priorities I’ve heard in quite a while.

“What if?” Motske asks clients.

“What if one if your partner needs critical care? What if you want to move to Arizona? What if one of your kids starts a family on the other side of the country?,” the CEO of Trilogy Financial asks.

It’s deceptively simple, but an excellent method for getting at the heart of clients’ values and fears.

“These are critical questions,” Motske told me during a recent visit to Financial Planning offices in New York. “You want to ask them before things happen.”

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By saving for college dot com
May 2, 2019

Written by: Kathryn Flynn | College is a major expense, and families without a plan for their children risk jeopardizing their retirement and future financial independence. Many financial advisors discuss college savings as part of a family’s overall financial plan. New parents, parents of high school students and grandparents all turn to financial advisors for help with college planning.

Here are expert tips from financial advisors on how to help clients solve three common issues with college planning.

Click here to read the full story.

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Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.

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October 20, 2026

Trilogy Capital, the wealth management firm headquartered in Irvine, California, announced the acquisition of Westminster, Colorado-based Mountain Capital. Mountain Capital had over $1 billion in total client assets. The acquisition represents Trilogy’s largest deal of the year and its second Colorado location.

“Mountain Capital is a perfect fit for Trilogy and demonstrates our commitment to intelligent inorganic growth,” said Jeff Motske, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Trilogy. “Mountain Capital shares our commitment to long-term client relationships, fiduciary advice, and thoughtful financial planning, so the cultural fit is exceptional. We are very excited to be able to attract high-caliber people to Trilogy.”

Mountain Capital was founded in 2011 by U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former airline pilot Brandt Burns, its CEO. The firm serves individuals, families and small businesses, with a focus on aviation professionals. Its advisors include current and former pilots, airline leaders and other industry experts. Trilogy said the advisors’ aviation experience informs the financial guidance they provide.

According to Trilogy, Mountain Capital will retain its brand, leadership team, advisors and staff, and client disruption should be minimal.

“Partnering with Trilogy allows us to maintain our firm’s personalized service and expertise, while enhancing additional offerings that matter most to our clients,” said Burns. “This important move for our firm will not replace what we’ve built. It will strengthen it.”

In addition to financial planning and investment management services, Mountain Capital offers tax preparation and consulting services…click here to read more.

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