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Location
Middletown, DE
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Experience
3 years
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Credentials
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
- Masters in Business Administration
Financial Planning is a process to understand your current situation, and build confidence in a path to take you where you want to go. A great relationship is one that is free of judgement, focused on your biggest priorities, and accompanied by technical expertise. I believe in helping everyone feel empowered to make the decisions that help them follow the path they choose.
I went to Widener University on an Army ROTC scholarship, where I then commissioned as an Army Engineer Officer. Service to others drove me into this career, and helped me grow as a leader and person. I met my wife during my time in the service, and we decided to transition out of the Military. This decision was based on our priority to being active partners in each other’s lives, and parents to our three kids. My inclination towards service grew, and I knew I wanted to combine those values with my passion for personal finance.
Money is a tool to use in life, and the culmination of your life’s work shouldn’t feel like a number on a spreadsheet. I love spreadsheets as much as the next guy, but my true passion is beyond the technical aspect of planning. It’s in building relationships with people and seeing them achieve their goals, working with family members to help them get started in life, and above all, providing guidance and support to help you feel more confident about your future.
I’ve worked with all kinds of people including Soldiers restrained by debt, all the way to families who are struggling to spend the money they’ve worked their entire lives for. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what support you’re looking for, I would love the opportunity to work with you.
Team Oak
Oak Team
Team Oak symbolizes strength, potential, and quiet confidence. With a structure built to endure and branches ready to grow, Oak brings thoughtful energy and balanced support to clients and colleagues alike.
At Root, teams are designed to deliver exceptional client care through structure, support, and collaboration. Each includes a team of Lead Advisors, Associates, and Client Service professionals—guided by a Senior Advisor to provide insight and mentorship. Clients get the benefit of a dedicated relationship, backed by a well-rounded team working together toward shared success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Once you start working with Root, you’ll have a kickoff meeting where we dive deep into your goals, values, and current financial picture. From there, we begin building a personalized plan through a series of focused meetings—covering income, investments, taxes, estate planning, and more—designed to help you live the life you want, not just the one you can get by on. Planning continues with ongoing support and regular check-ins to keep your strategy aligned as life evolves.
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Your money is typically held at Charles Schwab, an independent custodian—think of it like a secure grocery cart where you own everything inside. The accounts stay in your name, and we act as your advisor with limited authority to manage them on your behalf. We don’t work for Schwab or earn commissions, so every recommendation we make is in your best interest.
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Transferring your investment accounts is simple and secure thanks to the ACAT system, which moves assets “in-kind”—meaning nothing is sold or changed during the transfer. Whether you’re moving an IRA or brokerage account, your investments stay exactly the same; the only difference is where you log in. We don’t make any changes to your portfolio until you approve a personalized plan built around your goals and tax strategy.
Transferring your investment accounts is simple and secure thanks to the ACAT system, which moves assets “in-kind”—meaning nothing is sold or changed during the transfer. Whether you’re moving an IRA or brokerage account, your investments stay exactly the same; the only difference is where you log in. We don’t make any changes to your portfolio until you approve a personalized plan built around your goals and tax strategy.
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We charge a transparent, tiered percentage based on the assets we actively manage—starting at 1% for the first $1 million and decreasing as your assets grow. There are no commissions, hidden fees, or extra charges for tax or estate planning, and billing is done monthly for flexibility. If we’re not delivering value that exceeds the cost, you’re free to walk away—no long-term commitments.
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Our fee reflects the value of having a trusted partner focused on your entire financial life—so you don’t have to become your own advisor. We provide both quantifiable benefits (like tax strategies and withdrawal planning) and priceless peace of mind, helping you make confident, intentional decisions about retirement, lifestyle, and legacy. Ultimately, you’re investing in your time, clarity, and confidence—not just spreadsheets and returns.
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No—James and Ari don’t personally oversee every client, but every plan follows the same high standards they’ve set through our structured team approach. Each client is supported by a dedicated team including a lead advisor, senior advisor, associate advisor, and client service associate—all trained through Root’s internal program to deliver a consistent, personalized experience rooted in our philosophy.
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At Root, we focus on proactive tax planning, not tax preparation. We help clients identify opportunities like Roth conversions, tax gain/loss harvesting, charitable strategies, and optimizing income to manage healthcare costs or subsidies—all in coordination with your broader financial goals. While we don’t file your taxes, we collaborate closely with your CPA to ensure everything is implemented smoothly and strategically.
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We work with people from all walks of life. Most of the people we serve have built portfolios of at least $1 million (excluding current 401(k)s if under age 59.5, real estate, and 529 plans) and are ready to delegate. We ask to manage all assets that are available for direct management so we can deliver advice that’s fully integrated across your financial life.
All advisory relationships are subject to a $10,000 minimum annual fee. If your fees under our standard asset-based schedule fall below that amount, the minimum will be applied. This structure is designed for standard advisory relationships where assets are limited but planning needs fall within our typical scope.
If your situation involves more complexity, such as business ownership, multiple entities, or advanced planning needs, and asset-based billing isn’t available, we may instead recommend working together under a flat-fee planning arrangement that reflects the scope of work involved. In those cases, a separate agreement would outline the services and cost.
If we’re not the right fit, we’ll do our best to answer your questions and connect you with someone who might be.
