Questions before you begin.

Toft works with individuals and families who want help putting their financial lives in order, especially people approaching or living in retirement, those who have lost a spouse, and those who have received an inheritance. Ongoing Planning also suits working households earlier in their careers whose savings sit mostly in workplace plans.

A few signs: decisions are arriving faster than you can think them through; the accounts, taxes, insurance, and estate documents live in different places; or a transition has made the picture unfamiliar. If the situation is simple and stable, a single Project Planning engagement may be all that is needed, and the first call will say so.

No. Wealth Management has a minimum annual fee of $3,000, so on portfolios under $300,000 the fee works out to more than 1% a year. For unusually complex households, a higher minimum of up to $10,000 is agreed in advance.

Toft is fee-only: paid by clients, and only by clients. Wealth Management uses a marginal asset-based fee schedule: 1.00% on the first $1 million, 0.75% from $1 million to $5 million, 0.55% from $5 million to $10 million, 0.40% from $10 million to $25 million, and 0.30% above $25 million. Each rate applies only to assets within that tier. Ongoing Planning is an annual fee of $3,000 to $40,000, set by scope and billed monthly; Project Planning is a fixed fee of $3,000 to $12,000, agreed in advance.

Financial planning and investment management, handled together. Planning moves through vision, income, investment, tax, insurance, legacy, and organization, with the emphasis changing as the household’s needs change. Investment management covers portfolio design, implementation, rebalancing, and ongoing monitoring of the accounts Toft manages.

Yes. Ongoing Planning continues year to year for households whose investments are managed elsewhere; Project Planning addresses one defined question.

For Wealth Management, managed accounts are held at Charles Schwab, so accounts elsewhere would be transferred; workplace plans such as a 401(k) stay put. For planning-only engagements, nothing moves.

Client assets are held with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., an independent qualified custodian. Toft provides advice and manages the portfolio under the client’s authorization but does not take custody of client funds.

The approach emphasizes broad diversification, disciplined implementation, reasonable costs, and a portfolio aligned with the household’s need and ability to take risk. Tax considerations, cash needs, existing holdings, and transition costs are evaluated case by case.

Once the plan is in place, clients generally have two scheduled planning meetings each year, about an hour each, with more conversations when a decision or life event calls for one. Between meetings, questions are welcome by email or a call.

Yes. With the client’s permission, Toft can help organize questions and communicate with attorneys, accountants, insurance professionals, and other specialists. Toft does not prepare tax returns or draft legal documents, but works alongside the professionals who do.

Yes. Toft is based in Bloomington–Normal, Illinois, and works with clients in person and by video, subject to applicable registration requirements.

The first call is free and takes 30 minutes, by phone or video: a chance to understand what is on your mind, the help you are seeking, and whether Toft is a fit. You do not need to prepare a complete financial file. If the fit is unclear, you are free to stop there. If it seems a fit, a free Proposal Meeting of about an hour comes next, where Toft recommends a service and fee. Nothing is billed until an agreement is in writing, and planning then begins with your Vision Meeting.

Yes. Either party can end the agreement with 15 days’ written notice, and fees are prorated for the period. Your accounts remain yours at the custodian throughout.