Overview
Assets Under Management: $584 million
Headquarters: CINCINNATI, OH
High-Net-Worth Clients: 12
Average Client Assets: $49 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Investment Advisor Selection
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (WEALTH DIMENSIONS FAMILY OFFICE FORM ADV PART 2A (MARCH 2025))
Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$0 | and above | 1.00% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
---|---|---|
$1 million | $10,000 | 1.00% |
$5 million | $50,000 | 1.00% |
$10 million | $100,000 | 1.00% |
$50 million | $500,000 | 1.00% |
$100 million | $1,000,000 | 1.00% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 12
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 99.90
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $49 million
Total Client Accounts: 118
Discretionary Accounts: 118
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 266787
Last Filing Date: 2024-09-27 00:00:00
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: WEALTH DIMENSIONS FAMILY OFFICE FORM ADV PART 2A (MARCH 2025) (2025-03-31)
View Document Text
Item 1 - Cover Page
Brochure
Form ADV Part 2A
Wealth Dimensions Family Office, Inc.
CRD# 266787
7870 E. Kemper Road, Suite 210
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
(513) 554-6000
March 31, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Wealth
Dimensions Family Office, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please
contact us at (513) 554-6000 or info@wealthdimensions.com. The information in this brochure has
not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any
state authority.
Wealth Dimensions Family Office, Inc. is an investment advisory firm registered with the appropriate
regulatory authority. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional
information about Wealth Dimensions Family Office, Inc. also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.AdviserInfo.sec.gov.
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Item 2 - Material Changes:
This Brochure, dated March 31, 2025, was prepared in accordance with the SEC requirements, and
contains the following material changes since Wealth Dimensions Family Office’s annual amendment
(filed on September 28, 2023).
•
In September 2023, the firm moved to a new office suite within the same office building.
The firm’s new office address is: 7870 E Kemper Road, Suite 210, Cincinnati, OH 45249.
• The firm added details under Item 5 - Fees and Compensation and Item 10 – Other
Financial Activities and Affiliations, including standard management fee ranges and
information around insurance recommendations.
• The firm added details under Item 4 – Advisory Business, Item 5 – Fees and
Compensation and Item 10 – Other Financial Activities and Affiliations around
estate planning services.
•
In March 2025, Ms. Karey Williams assumed the role of Chief Compliance Officer from
Mr. Kenton Pettit (September 2024).
•
In March 2025, Mr. Patrick Hayes assumed the role of Chief Legal Officer. Mr. Hayes
previously served as CCO to Wealth Dimensions through September 2024 and has
continuously served as counsel to Wealth Dimensions during all relevant timeframes
since 2017.
You may also obtain a copy of our Brochure by contacting the firm by phone at (513) 554-6000 or by
email at info@wealthdimensions.com.
Additional information about Wealth Dimensions Family Office is also available via the SEC’s website
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
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Item 3 - Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Item 1 - Cover Page ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 - Material Changes ........................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 - Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4 - Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................ 7
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ......................................................... 8
Item 7 - Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................. 8
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................... 9
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................ 11
Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................... 12
Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...... 13
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................. 13
Item 13 - Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................... 15
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation .............................................................................. 15
Item 15 - Custody ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Item 16 - Investment Discretion .............................................................................................................. 16
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities............................................................................................................. 16
Item 18 - Financial Information ............................................................................................................... 16
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Item 4 - Advisory Business
General Information
Wealth Dimensions Family Office, Inc. (“WDFO”) registered as an investment adviser in 2015 and
provides family office services to its clients.
Thomas A. Curti, Douglas P. Loftus and Daniel D. Vogelpohl are the owners of WDFO. For more
information on Messrs. Curti, Loftus, and Vogelpohl, as well as other individuals who formulate
investment advice, have direct contact with clients, or have discretionary authority over client
accounts, please contact us to receive a copy of the WDFO Form ADV Part 2B brochure supplement.
As of June 30, 2024, total assets under advisement were $634,980,145, while total assets under
management were $583,773,893, all of which were managed on a discretionary basis.
SERVICES PROVIDED
WDFO provides family office services to high-net-worth clients as described below. Specific services
to be provided will be identified in the written agreement executed between each client and WDFO.
At the outset of each client relationship, WDFO spends time with the client, asking questions,
discussing the client’s investment experience and financial circumstances, and broadly identifying
major goals and service needs of the client. WDFO generally develops with each client:
•
• a financial outline for the client based on the client’s financial circumstances and
goals, and the client’s risk tolerance level (the “Financial Profile” or “Profile”); and
the client’s investment objectives and guidelines (the “Investment Plan” or “Plan”).
The Financial Profile is a reflection of the client’s current financial picture and a look to the future
goals of the client. The Investment Plan outlines the types of investments WDFO will make or in some
cases recommend on behalf of the client to meet those goals. The Profile and the Plan are discussed
regularly with each client in terms of a financial outline or investment guidelines.
Financial Planning
Financial Planning is essential to the high-net-worth individual or family. It generally includes
advice that addresses many areas of a client’s financial situation, such as estate planning, risk
management, budgeting and cash flow controls, retirement planning, education funding,
philanthropic initiatives, generational transfer of wealth, and investment portfolio design.
Depending on a client’s particular situation, financial planning may include some or all of the
following:
• Gathering factual information concerning the client’s personal and financial situation;
• Assisting the client in establishing financial goals and objectives;
• Analyzing the client’s present situation and anticipated future activities in light of the
•
client’s financial goals and objectives;
Identifying problems foreseen in the accomplishment of these financial goals and
objectives and offering alternative solutions to the problems;
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• Making recommendations to help achieve retirement plan goals and objectives;
• Designing an investment portfolio to help meet the goals and objectives of the client;
• Providing general estate planning advice (typically in the form of coordination with
an estate-planning attorney; WDFO does not provide legal advice);
• Assessing risk and reviewing basic health, life and disability insurance needs; or
• Reviewing goals and objectives and measuring progress toward these goals.
The client is under no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by WDFO under a
financial planning engagement and/or to engage the services of any recommended professional.
Family Governance and Generational Transfer Planning
An important aspect of managing wealth is coordination and communication among and between
family members. As children grow up and marry, this becomes even more important. WDFO provides
a neutral third party with an objective view to help manage this area.
Estate Planning Services
To the extent requested by the client, WDFO will consult on estate planning matters as part of its
investment advisory services. WDFO does not hold itself out as providing estate planning services
separately from its primary service of investment management. Estate planning assistance generally
includes an estate plan review and estate document audit. Estate planning assistance should not be
construed as legal advice.
Please Note: WDFO does not hold itself out to be a law firm or to provide legal advice. WDFO does
employ an attorney, Kayla Lucke, to support the needs of WDFO clients. The work she performs as an
employee of WDFO is consultative and should not be construed as legal advice. If and when Ms. Lucke
is engaged to practice law it is through a separate entity, Kayla Lucke, LLC, and established by a
separate written agreement with the client. To the extent requested by a client, WDFO will
recommend one or more attorneys for client legal work. The client is under no obligation to engage
the services of any such recommended attorney. If the client engages any such recommended
attorney, and a dispute arises thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek
recourse exclusively from and against the engaged attorney.
Check-Writing and Bill-Pay Services
WDFO will manage the payment of ongoing expenses of various family members, businesses, and
other entities as requested.
Philanthropy
Various family members may have disparate ideas towards charitable giving. WDFO will help
develop a comprehensive family plan for giving, and then implement it.
Reporting Services
WDFO will provide the reports needed and requested by family members, including reports on
illiquid assets and/or those that are not managed by WDFO.
Portfolio Management
As described above, at the beginning of a client relationship, WDFO meets with the client, gathers
information, and performs research and analysis as necessary to develop the client’s Investment Plan.
The Investment Plan will be updated from time to time when requested by the client, or when
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determined to be necessary or advisable by WDFO based on updates to the client’s financial or other
circumstances.
To implement the client’s Investment Plan, WDFO will direct the management of the client’s
investment portfolio on a discretionary basis. As a discretionary investment adviser, WDFO will have
the authority to supervise and direct the portfolio without prior consultation with the client. Please
see “Separate Account Managers” below for more information.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, clients may impose certain written restrictions on WDFO in the
management of their investment portfolios, such as prohibiting the inclusion of certain types of
investments in an investment portfolio or prohibiting the sale of certain investments held in the
account at the commencement of the relationship. Each client should note, however, that restrictions
imposed by a client may adversely affect the composition and performance of the client’s investment
portfolio. Each client should also note that his or her investment portfolio is treated individually by
giving consideration to each purchase or sale for the client’s account. For these and other reasons,
performance of client investment portfolios within the same investment objectives, goals and/or
risk tolerance may differ, and clients should not expect that the composition or performance of their
investment portfolios would necessarily be consistent with similar clients of WDFO.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Establishing a sound fiduciary governance process is vital to good decision-making and to ensuring
that prudent procedural steps are followed in making investment decisions. WDFO will provide
Retirement Plan consulting services to Plans and Plan Fiduciaries as described below. The
particular services provided will be detailed in the consulting agreement. The appropriate Plan
Fiduciary(ies) designated in the Plan documents (e.g., the Plan sponsor or named fiduciary) will (i)
make the decision to retain our firm; (ii) agree to the scope of the services that we will provide; and
(iii) make the ultimate decision as to accepting any of the recommendations that we may provide.
The Plan Fiduciaries are free to seek independent advice about the appropriateness of any
recommended services for the Plan. Retirement Plan consulting services may be offered individually
or as part of a comprehensive suite of services.
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) sets forth rules under which Plan
Fiduciaries may retain investment advisers for various types of services with respect to Plan assets.
For certain services, WDFO will be considered a fiduciary under ERISA. For example, WDFO will act
as an ERISA § 3(21) fiduciary when providing non-discretionary investment advice to the Plan
Fiduciaries by recommending a suite of investments as choices among which Plan Participants may
select. Also, to the extent that the Plan Fiduciaries retain WDFO to act as an investment manager
within the meaning of ERISA § 3(38), WDFO will provide discretionary investment management
services to the Plan.
With respect to any account for which WDFO meets the definition of a fiduciary under Department of
Labor rules, WDFO acknowledges that both WDFO and its Related Persons are acting as fiduciaries.
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing
retirement accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we
operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead
of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
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• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your
best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
Separate Account Managers
Even when serving as the primary investment adviser for a client account, WDFO does not typically
direct the day-to-day management of investments. Instead, it chooses other investment advisers
(each a “Manager”) to direct the investments of various portions of the overall investment portfolio
as appropriate. WDFO’s affiliate, Wealth Dimensions Group, Ltd., also a registered investment
adviser, is one of the Managers that WDFO utilizes under a sub-advisory agreement. This creates a
conflict of interest due to WDFO’s discretion in determining the asset allocation among all Managers,
including its affiliate.
Having access to various Managers offers a wide variety of manager styles, and offers clients the
opportunity to utilize more than one Manager if necessary to meet the needs and investment
objectives of the client. WDFO will select or recommend the Manager(s) it deems most appropriate
for the client. Factors that WDFO considers in recommending/selecting Managers generally includes
but is not limited to the client’s stated investment objective(s), management style, performance, risk
level, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research.
The selected Manager(s) will generally be granted discretionary trading authority for the relevant
portions of the client’s portfolio. WDFO retains the authority to terminate the Manager’s relationship
or to add new Managers without specific client consent. Fees paid to such Manager(s), including
WDFO’s affiliate, are separate from and in addition to the fee assessed by WDFO.
In any case, with respect to assets managed by a Manager, WDFO’s role will be to monitor the overall
financial situation of the client, to monitor the investment approach and performance of the
Manager(s), and to assist the client in understanding the investments of the portfolio.
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation
General Fee Information
Fees paid to WDFO are exclusive of all custodial and transaction costs paid to the client’s custodian,
brokers or other third-party consultants. Please see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices for additional
information. Fees paid to WDFO are also separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged
by mutual funds, ETFs (exchange traded funds) or other investment pools to their shareholders
(generally including a management fee and fund expenses, as described in each fund’s prospectus or
offering materials). The client should review all fees charged by funds, brokers, WDFO and others to
fully understand the total amount of fees paid by the client for investment and financial-related
services.
Fees are generally charged on the basis of a percentage of the total net worth of the client, or as a
percentage of the value of the managed portfolio. Typical fees range from 50 bps to 100 bps, though
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fees are individually negotiated and agreed upon at the beginning of the relationship based on the
services provided.
Portfolio management fees are generally payable quarterly, in advance. If management begins after
the start of a quarter, fees will be prorated accordingly. With client authorization, unless other
arrangements are made, fees are normally debited directly from client account(s).
Either WDFO or the client may terminate their Investment Management Agreement at any time,
subject to any written notice requirements in the agreement. In the event of termination, any paid
but unearned fees will be promptly refunded to the client based on the number of days that the
account was managed, and any fees due to WDFO from the client will be invoiced or deducted from
the client’s account prior to termination.
Separate Account Manager Fees
Manager fees will be charged in addition to WDFO’s fee, and will be detailed in the Management
Agreement signed by the client.
Other Compensation
Certain Principals and employees of WDFO maintain licenses with various life and disability
insurance companies and will receive, if applicable, commissions for sales of insurance products in
their individual capacity (and not as WDFO representatives). In all such circumstances, however, the
client will be notified of this payment in advance of the transaction, and under no circumstances
will the client pay both a commission to these individuals and a management fee to WDFO on the
same pool of assets. Clients are under no obligation to purchase insurance products.
Certain employees of WDFO maintain licenses to practice law and will receive, if applicable, legal fees
for the provision of these services in their individual capacities (and not as WDFO representatives). In
all circumstances, the client will have executed a separate written agreement defining these services.
Clients are under no obligation to consult with a particular attorney and are free to consult with any
attorney they choose.
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
WDFO does not have any performance-based fee arrangements. “Side by Side Management” refers to
a situation in which the same firm manages accounts that are billed based on a percentage of assets
under management and at the same time manages other accounts for which fees are assessed on a
performance fee basis. Because WDFO has no performance-based fee accounts, it has no side-by-side
management.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
WDFO serves high-net-worth individuals and their related entities. WDFO does not generally impose
a minimum portfolio value or a minimum annual fee for its services.
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Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
In accordance with the Investment Plan, WDFO will select Separate Account Managers. Such
Managers are evaluated and selected based on a variety of factors, including, as applicable and
without limitation, past performance, fee structure, management team, and other factors.
Investment Strategies:
WDFO’s strategic approach is to invest each portfolio in accordance with the Plan that has been
developed specifically for each client. This means that the following strategies may be used in varying
combinations over time for a given client, depending upon the client’s individual circumstances and
the Manager(s) selected.
Long Term Purchases – securities purchased with the expectation that the value of those
securities will grow over a relatively long period of time, generally greater than one year.
Short Term Purchases – securities purchased with the expectation that they will be sold
within a relatively short period of time, generally less than one year, to take advantage of the
securities’ short term price fluctuations.
Margin Transactions – a securities transaction in which an investor borrows money to
purchase a security, in which case the security serves as collateral on the loan.
Options Trading/Writing: a securities transaction that involves buying or selling (writing) an
option. If you write an option, and the buyer exercises the option, you are obligated to
purchase or deliver a specified number of shares at a specified price at the exercise of the
option regardless of the market value of the security at expiration of the option. Buying an
option gives you the right to purchase or sell a specified number of shares at a specified price
until the date of expiration of the option regardless of the market value of the security at
expiration of the option.
Risk of Loss
While WDFO seeks to diversify clients’ investment portfolios across various asset classes consistent
with their Investment Plans in an effort to reduce risk of loss, all investment portfolios are subject to
risks. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that client investment portfolios will be able to fully
meet their investment objectives and goals, or that investments will not lose money.
Below is a description of several of the principal risks that client investment portfolios face.
Management Risks. While WDFO recommends one or more Managers based on WDFO’s experience,
research and proprietary methods, the value of client investment portfolios will change daily based
on the performance of the underlying securities in which they are invested. Accordingly, client
investment portfolios are subject to the risk that a Manager allocates client assets to individual
securities and/or asset classes that are adversely affected by unanticipated market movements, and
the risk that WDFO’s specific investment choices could underperform their relevant indexes.
Risks of Investments in Mutual Funds, ETFs and Other Investment Pools. As described above, a
Manager(s) may invest client portfolios in mutual funds, ETFs, and other investment pools (“pooled
investment funds”). Investments in pooled investment funds are generally less risky than investing
in individual securities because of their diversified portfolios; however, these investments are still
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subject to risks associated with the markets in which they invest. In addition, pooled investment
funds’ success will be related to the skills of their particular managers and their performance in
managing their funds. Pooled investment funds are also subject to risks due to regulatory
restrictions applicable to registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
Risks Related to Alternative Investment Vehicles. From time to time and as appropriate, Manager(s)
may invest a portion of a client’s portfolio in alternative vehicles. The value of client portfolios will
be based in part on the value of alternative investment vehicles in which they are invested, the
success of each of which will depend heavily upon the efforts of their respective Managers. When
the investment objectives and strategies of a Manager are out of favor in the market or a Manager
makes unsuccessful investment decisions, the alternative investment vehicles managed by the
Manager may lose money. A client account may lose a substantial percentage of its value if the
investment objectives and strategies of many or most of the alternative investment vehicles in which
it is invested are out of favor at the same time, or many or most of the Managers make unsuccessful
investment decisions at the same time.
Equity Market Risks. Manager(s) will generally invest portions of client assets directly into equity
investments, primarily stocks, or into pooled investment funds that invest in the stock market. As
noted above, while pooled investments have diversified portfolios that may make them less risky
than investments in individual securities, funds that invest in stocks and other equity securities are
nevertheless subject to the risks of the stock market. These risks include, without limitation, the risks
that stock values will decline due to daily fluctuations in the markets, and that stock values will
decline over longer periods (e.g., bear markets) due to general market declines in the stock prices for
all companies, regardless of any individual security’s prospects.
Fixed Income Risks. Manager(s) may invest portions of client assets directly into fixed income
instruments, such as bonds and notes, or may invest in pooled investment funds that invest in bonds
and notes. While investing in fixed income instruments, either directly or through pooled investment
funds, is generally less volatile than investing in stock (equity) markets, fixed income investments
nevertheless are subject to risks. These risks include, without limitation, interest rate risks (risks
that changes in interest rates will devalue the investments), credit risks (risks of default by
borrowers), or maturity risk (risks that bonds or notes will change value from the time of issuance
to maturity).
Foreign Securities Risks. Manager(s) may invest portions of client assets into pooled investment funds
that invest internationally. While foreign investments are important to the diversification of client
investment portfolios, they carry risks that may be different from U.S. investments. For example,
foreign investments may not be subject to uniform audit, financial reporting or disclosure standards,
practices or requirements comparable to those found in the U.S. Foreign investments are also subject
to foreign withholding taxes and the risk of adverse changes in investment or exchange control
regulations. Finally, foreign investments may involve currency risk, which is the risk that the value of
the foreign security will decrease due to changes in the relative value of the U.S. dollar and the
security’s underlying foreign currency.
Margin Risk. WDFO does not use margin as an investment strategy. However, clients may elect to
borrow funds against their investment portfolio. When securities are purchased, they may be paid
for in full or the client may borrow part of the purchase price from the account custodian. If a client
borrows part of the purchase price, the client is engaging in margin transactions and there is risk
involved with this. The securities held in a margin account are collateral for the custodian that
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loaned the client money. If those securities decline in value, then the value of the collateral
supporting the client’s loan also declines. As a result, the brokerage firm is required to take action
in order to maintain the necessary level of equity in the client’s account. The brokerage firm may
issue a margin call and/or sell other assets in the client’s account to accomplish this. It is important
that clients fully understand the risks involved in trading securities on margin, including but not
limited to:
It is possible to lose more funds than is deposited into a margin account;
•
• The account custodian can force the sale of assets in the account;
• The account custodian can sell assets in the account without contacting the client first;
• The account holder is not entitled to choose which assets in a margin account may be
sold to meet a margin call; The account custodian can increase its “house” maintenance
margin requirements at any time without advance written notice; and
• The accountholder is not entitled to an extension of time on a margin call.
Derivatives Risk: A Manager may, for certain clients that qualify as “accredited investors” and for
whom it is appropriate, invest portions of the client assets in derivative financial instruments
(“derivatives”) including, without limitation, futures, options, interest rate swaps, forward currency
contracts and credit derivatives such as credit default swaps. A small investment in derivatives could
have a potentially large impact on an investor’s performance. The use of derivatives involves risks
different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying
assets. These risks include: (1) counterparty risk; (2) interest rate risk; (3) basis risk; (4) settlement
risk; (5) legal risk; (6) operational risk; and (7) market risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that one of
the Fund’s counterparties might default on its obligation to pay or perform generally on its
obligations. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Basis
risk is the risk associated with the relative movements in two (related) rates or prices. Settlement
risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the
risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented.
Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management
information, support and control systems and procedures. Market risk is the risk of potential adverse
changes in the value of financial instruments resulting from changes in market prices, such as
interest, commodity and currency rate movements. In addition, derivatives can be highly volatile,
illiquid and difficult to value.
Options Risk. A small investment in options could have a potentially large impact on an investor’s
performance. The use of options involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks
associated with investing directly in the underlying assets. Derivatives can be highly volatile, illiquid
and difficult to value, and there is the risk that a hedging technique will fail if changes in the value of
a derivative held by an investor does not offset the value of the securities being hedged.
Item 9 - Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to a client’s evaluation of WDFO or the integrity of WDFO’s
management. WDFO has no disciplinary events to report.
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Item 10 - Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
As described in Item 4 - Advisory Business, WDFO selects Managers to actively manage client
portfolios. One of the Managers frequently used is WDFO’s affiliated advisory firm (Wealth
Dimensions Group, Ltd.). WDFO has retained Wealth Dimensions Group, Ltd. as a sub-adviser.
Depending upon the arrangements made with the client, fees assessed by WDFO and Wealth
Dimensions Group, Ltd. may be combined. Such details will be outlined in the written agreement
between WDFO and the client.
WDFO also selects other Managers, unaffiliated with WDFO, each of which assesses separate fees with
no portion of their fee paid to WDFO.
All asset allocation decisions are based on the risk tolerance and Investment Plan of the individual
client. WDFO recognizes its fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of each client, including in the
selection of Managers. Clients are apprised of the relationship between WDFO and its affiliate.
Doug Loftus and Thomas Curti, each a Principal Owner of WDFO, are also owners of Professional
Practice Advisors, LLC (“PPA”), a practice management consulting firm for dentists and other medical
professionals. Because WDFO and PPA are under common ownership, there is a benefit for the firms
to share clients. Although the two firms may each recommend the other to clients, there is no
requirement that any client of one firm use the services of the other. The services of WDFO and PPA
are separate and distinct from one another and provided for separate and typical compensation.
Neither firm pays a referral fee to the other for recommending a client.
One of WDFO's employees, Kayla Lucke, is also an attorney and owner of Kayla Lucke, LLC. Ms. Lucke
shares office space with the Wealth Dimensions Group office. To the extent that a client specifically
requests legal advice, WDFO will recommend the services of an attorney, including Ms. Lucke in her
individual capacity as a licensed attorney, and/or the services of Kayla Lucke, LLC. Any such legal
services shall be rendered independent of WDFO pursuant to a separate agreement between the
client and Kayla Lucke, LLC. The recommendation by WDFO’s employees that a client engage the
services of Ms. Lucke, in her individual capacity as an attorney, or Kayla Lucke, LLC, presents a conflict
of interest. No client is under any obligation to engage Ms. Lucke in her individual capacity as an
attorney or engage the services of Kalyla Lucke, LLC. WDFO's Chief Compliance Officer,
Ms. Karey Williams, remains available to address any questions that a client or prospective client may
have regarding the above conflicts of interest.
Other Compensation
As indicated under Item 5 – Fees and Compensation above, certain Principals and employees of
WDFO maintain licenses with various life and disability insurance companies and will receive, if
applicable, commissions for sales of insurance products in their individual capacity (and not as WDFO
representatives). In all such circumstances, however, the client will be notified of this payment in
advance of the transaction, and under no circumstances will the client pay both a commission to these
individuals and a management fee to WDFO on the same pool of assets. Please note, clients are under
no obligation to purchase any of the recommended life insurance products.
Certain employees of WDFO maintain licenses to practice law and will receive, if applicable, legal fees
for the provision of these services in their individual capacities (and not as WDFO representatives). In
all circumstances, the client will have executed a separate written agreement defining these services.
Clients are under no obligation to consult with a particular attorney and are free to consult with any
attorney they choose.
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Item 11 - Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
WDFO has adopted a Code of Ethics (“the Code”), the full text of which is available to you upon
request. WDFO’s Code has several goals. First, the Code is designed to assist WDFO in complying with
applicable laws and regulations governing its investment advisory business. Under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, WDFO owes fiduciary duties to its clients. Pursuant to these fiduciary duties,
the Code requires persons associated with WDFO (managers, officers and employees) to act with
honesty, good faith and fair dealing in working with clients. In addition, the Code prohibits such
associated persons from trading or otherwise acting on insider information.
Next, the Code sets forth guidelines for professional standards for WDFO’s associated persons. Under
the Code’s Professional Standards, WDFO expects its associated persons to put the interests of its
clients first, ahead of personal interests. In this regard, WDFO associated persons are not to take
advantage of their positions in relation to WDFO clients.
Third, the Code sets forth policies and procedures to monitor and review the personal trading
activities of associated persons. From time to time, WDFO’s associated persons may invest in the
same securities recommended to clients. Under its Code, WDFO has adopted procedures designed
to reduce or eliminate conflicts of interest that this could potentially cause. The Code’s personal
trading policies include procedures for limitations on personal securities transactions of associated
persons, reporting and review of such trading and pre-clearance of certain types of personal
trading activities. These policies are designed to discourage and prohibit personal trading that
would disadvantage clients. The Code also provides for disciplinary action as appropriate for
violations.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
As outlined above, WDFO has adopted procedures to protect client interests when its associated
persons invest in the same securities as those selected for or recommended to clients. In the event
of any identified potential trading conflicts of interest, WDFO’s goal is to place client interests first.
WDFO shares associated persons with its affiliated advisory firm, and coordinates personal
securities trading controls and reporting requirements with the affiliate for the protection of client
interests. Consistent with the foregoing, WDFO maintains policies regarding participation in initial
public offerings (“IPOs”) and private placements to comply with applicable laws and avoid conflicts
with client transactions. If a WDFO associated person wishes to participate in an IPO or invest in a
private placement, he or she must submit a pre-clearance request and obtain the approval of the
Chief Compliance Officer.
Item 12 - Brokerage Practices
Best Execution and Benefits of Brokerage Selection
As described earlier, WDFO typically hires Separate Account Managers to manage the day-to-day
trading activities of its clients’ accounts. When considering various Managers, WDFO reviews the
“best execution” policy of each Manager. Best execution is a combination of a number of factors,
including, without limitation, quality of execution, services provided and commission rates.
Therefore, WDFO may use Managers with brokerage arrangements that do not result in the lowest
available commission in the recognition of research and securities transaction services, or quality of
execution. Research services received with transactions may include proprietary or third-party
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research (or any combination), and may be used in servicing any or all of a Manager’s clients.
Therefore, research services received may not be used for the account for which the particular
transaction was effected.
WDFO participates in the Fidelity Family Office Services (“FFOS”) program. While there is no direct
link between the investment advice provided by WDFO and its participation in the FFOS program,
WDFO receives certain economic benefits from the FFOS program. These benefits may include
software and other technology that provides access to client account data (such as trade
confirmations and account statements), facilitates trade execution (and allocation of aggregated
orders for multiple client accounts), provides research, pricing information and other market data,
facilitates the payment of WDFO’s fees from its clients’ accounts, and assists with back-office
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these services may be used to service all or a
substantial number of WDFO’s accounts, including accounts not held at Fidelity. Fidelity may also
make available to WDFO other services intended to help WDFO manage and further develop its
business. These services may include consulting, publications and conferences on practice
management, information technology, business succession, regulatory compliance and marketing. In
addition, Fidelity may make available, arrange and/or pay for these types of services to be rendered
to WDFO by independent third parties. Fidelity may discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge
for some of these services, pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party providing these services to
WDFO, and/or Fidelity may pay for travel expenses relating to participation in such training. Finally,
participation in the FFOS program provides WDFO with access to mutual funds which normally
require significantly higher minimum initial investments or are normally available only to
institutional investors.
The benefits received through participation in the FFOS program do not necessarily depend upon
the proportion of transactions directed to Fidelity. This means that the investment activity in client
accounts is beneficial to WDFO, because Fidelity does not assess a fee to WDFO for these services.
This creates an incentive for WDFO to continue to recommend Fidelity to its clients. While it may be
possible to obtain similar custodial, execution and other services elsewhere at a lower cost, WDFO
believes that Fidelity provides an excellent combination of these services resulting in a better overall
value to WDFO clients. These services are not soft dollar arrangements, but are part of the
institutional platform offered by Fidelity.
Directed Brokerage
Clients may direct WDFO to use Managers that utilize a particular broker for custodial or transaction
services on behalf of the client’s portfolio. In directed brokerage arrangements, to the extent possible,
WDFO will assist the client in negotiating the commission rates and other fees to be paid to the broker.
However, a client who directs brokerage should consider whether such designation may result in
certain costs or disadvantages to the client, either because the client may pay higher commissions or
obtain less favorable execution, or the designation limits the investment options available to the
client.
The arrangement that WDFO has with Fidelity is designed to maximize efficiency and to be cost
effective. By directing brokerage arrangements, the client acknowledges that these economies of
scale and levels of efficiency are generally compromised when alternative brokers are used. While
every effort is made to treat clients fairly over time, the fact that a client chooses to use the brokerage
and/or custodial services of these alternative service providers can in fact result in a certain degree
of delay in executing trades for their account(s) and otherwise adversely affect management of their
account(s).
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By directing WDFO to use a specific broker or dealer, clients who are subject to ERISA confirm and
agree with WDFO that they have the authority to make the direction, that there are no provisions in
any client or plan document which are inconsistent with the direction, that the brokerage and other
goods and services provided by the broker or dealer through the brokerage transactions are provided
solely to and for the benefit of the client’s plan, plan participants and their beneficiaries, that the
amount paid for the brokerage and other services have been determined by the client and the plan to
be reasonable, that any expenses paid by the broker on behalf of the plan are expenses that the plan
would otherwise be obligated to pay, and that the specific broker or dealer is not a party in interest
of the client or the plan as defined under applicable ERISA regulations.
Aggregated Trade Policy
WDFO does not typically place trades on behalf of client accounts. This activity is generally performed
by the sub-advisors WDFO uses to service client accounts.
Item 13 - Review of Accounts
Client portfolios are reviewed at least quarterly, but may be reviewed more often if requested by
the client, upon receipt of information material to the management of the portfolio, or at any time
such review is deemed necessary or advisable by WDFO. These factors generally include, but are
not limited to, the following: change in general client circumstances (marriage, divorce,
retirement); or economic, political or market conditions. Tom Curti and Doug Loftus review
accounts.
Account custodians are responsible for providing monthly or quarterly account statements which
reflect the positions (and current pricing) in each account as well as transactions in each account,
including fees paid from an account. Account custodians also provide prompt confirmation of all
trading activity, and year-end tax statements, such as 1099 forms. In addition, WDFO provides at
least a quarterly report for each managed portfolio. This written report normally includes a
summary of portfolio holdings and performance results. Additional reports are available at the
request of the client.
Item 14 - Client Referrals and Other Compensation
As noted above, WDFO receives an economic benefit from Fidelity in the form of support products
and services it makes available to WDFO and other independent investment advisors that have
their clients maintain accounts at Fidelity. These products and services, how they benefit our firm,
and the related conflicts of interest are described in Item 12 - Brokerage Practices. The availability
of Fidelity’s products and services to WDFO is based solely on our participation in the programs
and not in the provision of any particular investment advice. Neither Fidelity nor any other party
is paid to refer clients to WDFO.
Item 15 - Custody
It is the custodian’s responsibility to provide clients with confirmations of trading activity, tax forms
and at least quarterly account statements. Clients are advised to review this information carefully,
and to notify WDFO of any questions or concerns. Clients are also asked to promptly notify WDFO if
the custodian fails to provide statements on each account held.
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From time to time and in accordance with WDFO’s agreement with clients, WDFO will provide
additional reports. The account balances reflected on these reports should be compared to the
balances shown on the brokerage statements to ensure accuracy. At times there may be small
differences due to the timing of dividend reporting, pending trades or other similar issues.
WDFO will retain the services of an independent public accountant to conduct an annual surprise
audit of any accounts where it has been deemed to have custody. If requested by our clients, we will
provide them with a copy of Form ADV-E, which is filed with the SEC by the public accountant and
which contains the results of the audit.
Item 16 - Investment Discretion
As described above under Item 4 - Advisory Business, WDFO manages portfolios on a discretionary
basis. This means that after an Investment Plan is developed for the client’s investment portfolio,
WDFO will execute that plan without specific consent from the client for each transaction. For
discretionary accounts, a Limited Power of Attorney (“LPOA”) is executed by the client, giving
WDFO the authority to carry out various activities in the account, generally including the following:
trade execution; the ability to request checks on behalf of the client; and, the withdrawal of advisory
fees directly from the account. WDFO then directs investment of the client’s portfolio using its
discretionary authority. The client may limit the terms of the LPOA to the extent consistent with
the client’s investment advisory agreement with WDFO and the requirements of the client’s
custodian. The discretionary relationship is further described in the agreement between WDFO and
the client.
Item 17 - Voting Client Securities
As a policy and in accordance with WDFO’s client agreement, WDFO does not vote proxies related to
securities held in client accounts. The custodian of the account will normally provide proxy materials
directly to the client. Clients may contact WDFO with questions relating to proxy procedures and
proposals; however, WDFO generally does not research particular proxy proposals.
Item 18 - Financial Information
WDFO does not require nor solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six months or
more in advance, and therefore has no disclosure with respect to this item.
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