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Helping Clients to and through retirement since 2003

You know what you are retiring from but not what you are retiring to. The good thing is we do. We have been helping clients as they prepare to take the leap into retirement for over two decades.

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As Seen In

Fee-Only. Fiduciary.
Always in Your Best Interest.

We are a fee-only financial planning firm, meaning we are paid only by you, never by commissions, product sales, or third-party incentives. Our only priority is helping you reach your financial goals with objective, transparent advice.

No Commissions. No Product Sales. No Conflicts of Interest.

A Fiduciary Commitment – Your Best Interests Always Come First.

Aligned with You – We Succeed When You Do.

Cornerstone Wealth Management - Your Team

Our Core Services

Whether you are preparing for retirement and need help creating a long-term financial plan, or already in retirement and need help optimizing your investments, we are here to guide you with objective, transparent advice.

Your Financial Life. Simplified.

At Cornerstone Wealth Management, we act as your family’s Chief Financial Officer, coordinating all aspects of your financial life. Our comprehensive approach includes:​

  • Personalized investment strategies

  • Tax-efficient planning

  • Retirement income solutions

  • Estate and legacy planning​

  • We collaborate with your existing advisors to ensure a cohesive strategy that aligns with your goals.​

Purpose-Driven Portfolios. Built Around You.

We believe investing should be disciplined, evidence-based, and aligned with your goals, not driven by market noise or commission-based products. As a fee-only firm, our investment strategies are always in service of your broader financial plan and are never influenced by outside incentives.

What we offer:

  • Customized portfolios based on your risk tolerance and time horizon

  • Diversification across global markets and asset classes

  • Tax-efficient investment strategies

  • Ongoing portfolio rebalancing and monitoring

  • Clear reporting and performance reviews

We do not chase fads or time the market; we build thoughtful, long-term portfolios designed to support your success.

Clarity. Confidence. Control.

At Cornerstone Wealth Management, financial planning is the foundation of everything we do. We work closely with you to create a comprehensive, personalized plan that reflects your values, goals, and life transitions. Whether you are preparing for retirement, managing a windfall, or simply seeking a clearer path forward, we help you make informed decisions without pressure, products, or sales tactics.

Our planning process includes:

  • Cash flow & budgeting analysis

  • Tax-aware strategies

  • Retirement readiness and income planning

  • Estate & legacy considerations

  • Social Security & Medicare planning

  • Risk management reviews

This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Your plan evolves as your life changes and we are here every step of the way.

We’re a great fit if you:

✅ Are over 45 years old

✅ Have over $500,000 of investable assets

✅ Value long-term financial planning and a trusted advisory relationship

✅ Need expert guidance on investment management and wealth preservation

Our Proven Onboarding Process

01

15-Minute Call

It all starts with a 15-minute phone call. This time, although brief, gives us both the ability to learn a little about each other and make sure we are a good fit.

*If we determine that we are not a good fit for each other, we will gladly point you toward other great fee-only financial advisors that we know and respect.*

02

Introductory Meeting

Now that we know more about each other, the next step is to get together for an in-person or Zoom meeting. During this meeting, we will further define your financial goals and present our high-level recommendations.

To ensure a productive discussion, we will request certain documents in advance, such as tax returns and investment statements.

03

Sleep On It

Hiring a financial advisor is a big decision, and we want you to feel fully comfortable before moving forward.

04

You Say Go!

We are truly honored to begin working with you! We will touch base before we get started to make sure we answer any outstanding questions and set the expectations of the new client process.

05

Implementation

We will put your plan into action—handling the paperwork, setting up accounts, and coordinating with other professionals as needed.

This is where the strategy becomes reality, and we stay by your side every step of the way.

Voices of Success

Members Of

Michael Kelley - Fee Only Advisor
Cleveland Financial Advisors Network
Michael Kelley - Certified Financial Planner
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
AICPA

Real-World Success Stories

Click on the Case Studies below to see how we have helped clients achieve financial success through tailored strategies and expert guidance.

Tom and Stephanie are in their late 50s and beginning to think seriously about retirement. Tom is a partner at a large public accounting firm, and Stephanie is a senior marketing manager for a Fortune 100 company. With their two children now out of college, they want to ensure they can retire comfortably within the next five to seven years—without worrying about running out of money.

Their goals are clear:
✅ Maintain their lifestyle in retirement, with plenty of time for travel and family
✅ Optimize their income sources to minimize taxes
✅ Protect their wealth while ensuring they have a reliable income stream
✅ Leave a meaningful legacy for their children and future grandchildren

Their financial picture includes multiple income sources—Tom’s partnership income, their salaries, and various assets such as 401(k) accounts, a deferred compensation plan, stock options, a brokerage account, an IRA, a Roth IRA, a pension, and two homes. But with so many moving pieces, they were unsure how to transition into retirement smoothly.

Our Approach

Tom and Stephanie wanted clarity and confidence in their retirement plan. We started by listening to their concerns and working closely with their tax professional and attorney to build a personalized strategy.

Key steps in their plan included:

🔹 Mapping Out a Retirement Timeline – We helped them determine when they could comfortably retire and how to maximize savings in their final working years.

🔹 Simplifying Their Financial Picture – By consolidating accounts and streamlining assets, we reduced complexity, making it easier for them to track their wealth.

🔹 Creating a Sustainable Investment Strategy – We designed a tax-efficient portfolio across their taxable, pre-tax, and post-tax accounts, ensuring a reliable income stream in retirement.

🔹 Developing a Smart Tax Plan – We coordinated the timing of stock option exercises, pension withdrawals, and Roth IRA conversions to minimize taxes and take full advantage of their tax brackets.

🔹 Planning for Future Expenses – Together, we reviewed their current spending and built a clear roadmap for their retirement lifestyle, including healthcare and leisure activities.

🔹 Ensuring Their Estate & Legacy Were Protected – We updated their estate planning documents, insurance policies, and beneficiary designations to reflect their wishes.

The Result

With a solid plan in place, Tom and Stephanie now feel confident about their financial future. They can focus on enjoying the final years of their careers while knowing they are on track for the retirement they envision. Our ongoing relationship ensures we will continue monitoring their progress, adapting to life’s changes, and guiding them seamlessly through retirement.

John and Mary, now ages 70 and 68, came to us five years before their planned retirement. John was a dedicated primary care physician, and Mary spent her career as an elementary school teacher. Over the years, they had built substantial savings across various retirement and taxable investment accounts—but they lacked a coordinated plan for managing their wealth once the paychecks stopped.

Their concerns were familiar:
✅ How do we turn our savings into a reliable retirement income stream?
✅ How can we protect ourselves from market volatility and inflation?
✅ Are we doing everything we can to reduce taxes in retirement?
✅ What should we be doing to prepare for rising healthcare costs and potential long-term care needs?

Our Approach

We began by gaining a clear understanding of John and Mary’s full financial picture—assets, income sources, spending needs, and goals for the future. With this foundation, we crafted a retirement strategy that gave them clarity, confidence, and control over their next chapter.

Key elements of their plan included:

🔹 A Retirement Income Strategy – We developed a systematic withdrawal plan from their retirement accounts, timed Social Security and pension benefits strategically, and ensured they’d have dependable income throughout retirement.

🔹 A Diversified Investment Portfolio – Their portfolio was adjusted to reflect their need for stability and growth, using a mix of low-cost equity ETFs and fixed income, tailored to withstand market ups and downs.

🔹 Smart Tax Planning – We reviewed their tax returns and implemented strategies like tax-loss harvesting and careful coordination of withdrawals to reduce tax burdens over time.

🔹 Insurance Review & Risk Planning – We assessed all their coverages—life, health, long-term care, property, and liability—to ensure protection against unexpected events without paying for unnecessary coverage.

🔹 Estate & Legacy Planning – Working closely with their estate attorney, we helped them update wills, establish a trust, and align beneficiary designations to avoid probate and ensure a smooth transfer of assets.

The Result

Today, John and Mary are enjoying a secure and fulfilling retirement. Their income is stable and tax-efficient, their investments are structured to weather market changes, and their estate plan reflects their values and goals. Most importantly, they have peace of mind—knowing that they’re well-prepared not just for today, but for whatever lies ahead.

Meet Your Financial Partners

At Cornerstone Wealth Management, our experienced team is committed to helping you achieve financial confidence with unbiased, fee-only advice. With decades of expertise in financial planning and investment management, we provide personalized strategies tailored to your unique goals.

Nick Dionisos, CPA

Nick Dionisos, CPA

President

Michael Kelley II, CFP®

Michael Kelley II, CFP®

Vice President

Christina Fanourakis, CFP®, MBA

Christina Fanourakis, CFP®, MBA

Director of Financial Planning

Nicholas M. Kaplan, CFP®, CPA

Nicholas M. Kaplan, CFP®, CPA

Director of Wealth Management

Meet The Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore answers to commonly asked questions about our services, ensuring clarity and confidence in your financial decisions.

What does "fee-only" mean?

We are paid only by our clients—never through commissions or product sales. This means our advice is fully objective and focused on your best interests.

Who do you typically work with?

We specialize in helping people nearing retirement or already in retirement who have investable assets of $500,000 or more and want long-term financial guidance.

How do I get started?

Our process begins with a free 15-minute phone consultation where we learn about your financial goals and determine if we are the right fit for you. If so, we will schedule a second, in-person or Zoom meeting to show you the value we can provide. Click here to get started

What is your fee structure?

We operate on a fee-only basis, meaning we charge a transparent fee that is based on the percentage of assets we manage for you. There are no other fees, commissions, hidden costs, or conflicts of interest for the services provided to you.

Can you help me with Social Security and Medicare decisions?

Yes! We guide clients through Social Security claiming strategies and Medicare planning to help optimize your benefits and minimize unnecessary IRMAA costs.

What makes Cornerstone Wealth Management different?

We are a fee-only, fiduciary firm that prioritizes transparent advice, long-term relationships, and personalized financial strategies.

Do you help with tax planning and estate planning?

Yes! While we don’t prepare tax returns or legal documents, we integrate tax-efficient strategies and estate considerations into your financial plan.

How often will we meet?

We customize our communication to your needs, but we typically meet at least annually, with additional check-ins as needed.

Do you have a minimum fee?

Yes. Our current minimum annual fee is $5,000

How do you choose investments for your clients?

Our disciplined, evidence-based investment approach emphasizes diversification, tax efficiency, and long-term growth. Rather than selling proprietary products or chasing market trends, we build portfolios tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.