Frequently asked questions.

We build warm, lifelong partnerships with our clients, meeting you where you are on your financial journey. Our experienced, multigenerational team helps simplify complex financial topics, making sure you feel informed and confident as you make intentional financial decisions that reflect your values. We serve families, business owners, retirees, young professionals, and women, providing the comfort, ease, and security of having a central point of contact for all your financial needs. Whether you prefer virtual or in-person meetings, our offices in Downers Grove and Schaumburg are here to support you every step of the way.

Choosing the right advisor is about finding a personal connection and trust. Each of our advisors brings their own strengths and experiences. We offer clients a balanced team of both men and women advisors, which helps us connect with and relate to a wide range of clients, but the choice of advisor is ultimately personal. You can learn more about our team by visiting our team bio pages, where you can read about the clients they serve, the challenges they help solve, and their professional backgrounds. Meet our team.

Your first meeting is all about understanding your financial story. Expect a relaxed, open conversation where we’ll discuss your goals, current financial situation, and what you hope to achieve. From there, we’ll work together to develop a personalized financial plan that grows with you over time. Learn more about our Client Experience.

Getting started is simple. Just reach out to schedule a meeting, and we’ll guide you from there. Whether you’re new to financial planning or looking for a fresh perspective, we’re here to help you take the next step. Start your journey with us.

We offer a wide range of financial services, all under one roof. Many of our client relationships are lifelong, so we have deep experience adapting to evolving needs and expanding our library of resources and network of professionals accordingly. Whether you're navigating financial planning, investment management, estate planning, or risk management, we can connect you with specialists in areas like healthy aging, caregiving, and elder care.

For younger clients, we also provide guidance on topics like student loan management, budgeting for major life events (like buying a home or starting a family), and career transitions. Our goal is to make sure that every aspect of your financial life is covered. Explore our full range of services.

Many people find that financial planning feels abstract until they experience the positive impact it can have on their lives. At HT|TC, we make it real and relevant to your personal situation. Whether it's securing your retirement, investing for future growth, or preparing for life's transitions, we help you make informed decisions that lead to greater confidence and control. To keep your plan on track, we provide regular reviews and proactive adjustments to make sure your financial strategy adapts with you. See how financial planning can work for you.

Estate planning is a key area of focus for HT|TC. Our One Call® estate plan review process keeps your plan aligned with your goals, while our PLAN™ (Preserving Legacies and Narratives) framework helps guide families through important conversations about wealth transfer and legacy planning. We also offer in-house trust services for seamless management. Explore our estate planning services.

HT|TC started as a trust company and has grown into a full-service wealth management practice with a multigenerational team of advisors. For over 30 years, we've been supporting clients as their financial needs evolve, expanding our services to include everything from financial planning and investment management to estate planning and risk management. With a strong foundation and a partnership with trusted professionals, we continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our clients. Learn more about our evolution.

We help families plan for the future, manage wealth transfers, and help ensure that family values and financial goals are passed down through generations. Whether you're building wealth or navigating complex estate planning, we help align your family's values and story with its financial goals. We also specialize in facilitating meaningful conversations between family members to make sure everyone feels heard and included in the planning process. Learn more about how we support family wealth planning.

We understand that women approach financial planning from a variety of perspectives, whether you're managing finances on your own, growing your wealth as a professional, or transitioning through a life event like divorce or widowhood. We create a safe, supportive environment where you can ask any question and feel empowered to make confident financial decisions. Whether you're rebuilding after a transition or enhancing an already strong financial foundation, we’re here to support you at every stage. Explore how we support women here.

Running a business is a full-time job and managing both personal and business finances can feel overwhelming. That’s where HT|TC steps in. We partner with business owners to develop tailored strategies for everything from tax-efficient growth to succession planning, plus retirement planning, risk management, and business valuation services. Our qualified plan design services, including both bundled and unbundled 401(k) offerings, can help you take care of your employees or make the most of your retirement contributions. Whether you're planning for the future of your business or managing day-to-day financial challenges, we provide the clarity and solutions you need to focus on what you’re good at — running your business. Learn how we support business owners.

As a young professional, you're balancing big decisions — like paying off student loans, saving for a home, or investing in your future — while navigating the complexities of building wealth. At HT|TC, we guide you through these crucial early financial choices, helping you create a solid plan that adapts as your career and life evolve. Whether it’s maximizing your income, investing wisely, or preparing for the next big step, we’re here to simplify the process and set you up for long-term success. Learn how we support professionals.

Retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, but it also comes with new financial challenges. At HT|TC, we help you protect your legacy, make sure your income lasts through retirement, and plan for healthcare needs. From creating smart withdrawal strategies to exploring long-term care options, we’re here to help you feel secure that your retirement years will be comfortable. Explore our retirement planning services.

We know that open communication is key to impactful financial planning, especially when it involves multiple generations or sensitive topics. HT|TC can help facilitate these conversations, guiding clients through our A Time to Talk™ series to explore essential topics like legacy planning, wealth transfer, and family values. We believe that starting these conversations early can help align everyone's goals and expectations, and we offer tools and a framework to support you through this process. Learn more about A Time to Talk™.

Our culture revolves around collaboration and client focus. We work together as a cohesive team to deliver personalized financial guidance, helping explain and inform you, so that you feel empowered to make decisions that align with your values and long-term goals. Whether it’s financial planning, investments, risk management, estate management, wealth transfer, or beyond, our collaborative approach means you have the support you need at every stage. Discover more about our culture.

We believe what sets our team apart is how we combine personalized service with a deep understanding of complex financial needs. We take time to build lasting relationships and craft tailored solutions that go beyond standard financial plans. Our multigenerational team brings together different perspectives, supporting you through every life stage. With everything under one roof — including trust services, business owner services, and risk management — we offer seamless integration and collaboration across financial planning and estate management. At our clients' request, we can also help facilitate important conversations through our A Time to Talk™ series, encouraging open communication across generations and family members. Learn more about what we believe sets us apart.

Giving back is an integral part of our mission. HT|TC is deeply committed to supporting local organizations and initiatives in the Chicagoland area, and we take pride in making a positive impact in our community. Read about our community involvement.

We typically work with clients who have $1 million or more in investable assets. However, we focus on finding the right fit between your financial needs and our services. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to discuss your situation and explore how we might work together.

Transparency is one of our core values. We believe you should fully understand how we structure our fees and what services you’re receiving. You can find detailed information about our fee structure on our website, and we’ll clearly discuss costs during your initial meeting. Learn more about our fees and services through our HTA Client Relationship Summary and HTS Client Relationship Summary.

We’re proud to be an independent-minded advisory practice supported by Hightower. This partnership enhances the personal service we provide by offering access to additional resources, technology, and investment opportunities. While we maintain our independence, Hightower’s backing helps us bring even more value to our clients. Learn more about our relationship with Hightower.

We’re happy to discuss working with your family members — whether it’s your spouse, children, or extended family — and see if our services would be a good match for their needs. We take pride in supporting multiple generations of families, helping create continuity and shared financial success. Learn more about how we serve families.

We’re happy to speak with those who may benefit from our services. Most of our clients were referred to us, and if you’d like to refer a friend, family member, or colleague to HT|TC, simply connect them with us. We’ll schedule an initial conversation to understand their situation and explore how we can work together to help them reach their goals. Refer someone to HT|TC.