Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. FamilyVest provides advice through Farther Finance Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, and every recommendation is subject to fiduciary duty. Todd Sensing and the FamilyVest practice are compensated solely by client fees. We sell no insurance or commission products. Advisory services are provided through Farther Finance Advisors, LLC, which has an affiliated insurance agency; see Form ADV Part 2A, Item 10.

Todd Sensing holds four professional designations: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC). Together, these designations reflect rigorous education, exams, and ongoing professional development across investment analysis, financial planning, business exit planning, and special needs planning. The CFP designation reflects expertise in financial planning; the CFA charter reflects expertise in investment analysis. Together, they provide a rare combination of planning depth and institutional-grade investment knowledge.^*

You work directly with Todd Sensing, founder and lead advisor. Todd builds your financial plan, manages your portfolio, and sits across from you at every review. A coordinated FamilyVest and Farther client experience team supports onboarding, scheduling, and day-to-day requests so nothing falls through the cracks. One lead advisor, a coordinated team, and clear accountability. You will not be handed off to a junior associate or a rotating service desk.

It starts with a conversation. We discuss your goals, current situation, and what you need from an advisor. If there is a mutual fit, we build your financial plan, address any burning issues first, then work systematically through each area of your financial life. There is no obligation and no sales pressure. Schedule an introductory call.

It depends on your needs. Most clients meet with us quarterly for comprehensive reviews plus ad-hoc calls as issues arise. Your plan dictates the schedule, not a preset calendar. We are available when you need us, whether that is a quick question by phone or a deep dive on a specific issue.

Absolutely. We actively coordinate with your tax and legal advisors. Tax decisions inform investment decisions. Estate planning informs titling decisions. We share information and collaborate to make sure everything works together. You get one coordinated financial plan, not piecemeal advice from separate professionals who never talk to each other.

Yes. While our office is in Destin, FL, we serve families nationwide. Many of our client relationships are conducted virtually through video calls and secure document sharing. The planning process works the same regardless of location.

We use evidence-based, diversified portfolios aligned to your risk capacity and goals. We do not pick individual stocks or time markets. We actively manage asset allocation, rebalancing, and tax efficiency to serve each client's plan. Our focus is on systematic discipline, avoiding emotional decisions, and letting compounding work over time.

Most advisors select investments and call it planning. We build the financial plan first, then construct the portfolio to serve it. Through Farther's Unified Managed Account, we coordinate multiple strategies with daily tax-loss harvesting and tax-gain harvesting. Every investment decision connects back to your tax situation, retirement timeline, estate plan, and overall goals.

Your assets are held at independent, third-party custodians. We never take custody of client funds. You always have direct access to your accounts, and you can verify your holdings independently at any time. This custodial separation is a fundamental layer of protection for your assets.

When appropriate. Through Farther's platform, qualified clients can access institutional-quality alternatives including private equity, private credit, real assets, and hedge fund strategies. These are not right for every client. We evaluate whether alternatives serve your specific plan, risk profile, and liquidity needs before recommending them. Learn more about our investment approach.

Yes, and it is one of our core differentiators. Todd is the father of two sons with autism. This is not a niche we chose for marketing reasons. It is personal. He holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) designation and works with families to navigate ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, SSI/SSDI coordination, Medicaid preservation, guardianship alternatives, and estate planning for dependents with disabilities. Learn more about special needs planning.

An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a tax-advantaged savings account for individuals with disabilities that allows them to save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing SSI benefits or Medicaid eligibility. Earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. We help families determine whether an ABLE account is appropriate and how it fits within a broader special needs plan.

A special needs trust (SNT) holds assets for the benefit of a person with a disability without disqualifying them from means-tested government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. There are several types, including first-party, third-party, and pooled trusts, each with different rules about funding, taxation, and Medicaid payback requirements. We coordinate with estate attorneys to ensure the trust structure is correct and integrated with the family's overall financial plan.

Significantly. A standard inheritance can disqualify a person with a disability from SSI and Medicaid. Every element of the estate plan, from beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance to the language in your will and trust documents, must be structured to preserve benefit eligibility. We coordinate with your estate attorney to ensure nothing falls through the gaps, and we help families create a Letter of Intent that documents care preferences, routines, and important information for future caregivers.