Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a fair question, especially with so many DIY tools out there. But research consistently shows that working with a financial advisor can lead to better outcomes, not just more confidence.

A well-known study from Vanguard found that advisors can add about 3% in net annual value through smart asset allocation, behavioral coaching, tax strategies, and withdrawal planning.¹ Smartasset, a personal advisory comparison platform, found that financial planning alone can improve your retirement value by up to 212%.²

The truth is, managing money well goes beyond picking investments — it’s about making the right decisions consistently, especially during uncertain times. That’s where professional guidance can really pay off.

¹ Vanguard, “Celebrating Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha: Clients and Their Advisors Thriving Together for 25 Years” (2025)
² SmartAsset, “The Value of a Financial Advisor: What’s It Really Worth?” (2025)

That’s a fair question, and you’re right that our fees increase as your portfolio grows. The difference is in how they increase and how quickly they drop compared to most advisors.

Traditional advisor fees often stay near one percent until portfolios reach very high levels. At Cloyd Capital, my rates start lower and decrease faster, so your average cost drops quickly as your assets grow. This means the typical investor can access fair, transparent pricing without needing a large portfolio.

Your investments are held securely at Altruist, a modern custodian built specifically for independent advisors. Altruist provides SIPC-protected brokerage accounts, which is the same kind of setup used by firms like Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard.

As your advisor, I have discretionary authority to manage your portfolio, but I never take direct custody of your assets. You’ll always have full access to your account through Altruist’s client portal, and you can view your holdings, performance, and fee history at any time.

I chose Altruist because it’s a modern custodian built specifically for independent advisors who want to deliver a seamless, low-cost experience for clients. The platform combines powerful technology, intuitive account access, and clean performance reporting, all in one place.

Altruist provides SIPC-insured brokerage accounts, uses industry-standard encryption to protect your information, and charges no custodial or trading fees. Most large custodians charge small platform or service fees that advisors often pass on to their clients, but Altruist eliminates those costs entirely. You get the same level of protection you’d expect from firms like Fidelity or Vanguard, but with a more efficient and transparent platform designed for today’s investor.

In the unlikely event that something unexpected happened to me, you would still have full access to your accounts through Altruist. Your investments are held securely in your name, not mine, and Altruist provides dedicated client support by phone, email, and live chat.

If there were ever a situation where I was unavailable due to an emergency or health issue, you could contact Altruist directly for assistance with your account. Their team can help with withdrawals, transfers, or any account-related needs until I’m able to return.

You’ll always have direct access to your money, and Altruist’s support ensures that your accounts remain safe, accessible, and fully functional at all times.

Absolutely. Cloyd Capital is built to serve clients nationwide through secure, virtual meetings. It doesn’t matter where you want to meet from.

All planning sessions, portfolio reviews, and ongoing support can be handled remotely. You’ll also have 24/7 access to your accounts through a secure client portal.

Prefer to meet in person? If you’re local to Kentucky, we’re happy to make that happen too.

Not at all. I’ve made the process simple, straightforward, and stress-free.

Once you reach out, I’ll guide you through everything from opening accounts and transferring funds to rolling over an old 401(k) or IRA. You won’t need to figure anything out on your own, I’ll handle the details and keep things moving every step of the way.

And once your account is set up, it’s even easier. All you have to do is deposit money — I’ll make sure it’s invested properly and aligned with your goals, while keeping you updated along the way.

Just fill out the contact form on the website, and I’ll give you a quick call to learn more about your goals and answer any questions. Also, feel free to call or text me personally at any time.

From there, I’ll send over the onboarding paperwork and we’ll be up and running in no time.