Who We Help
Built for People With a Lot Riding on One Stock
We work with people who have built meaningful wealth in a single stock position, usually company equity, founder shares, or a long-held investment that grew past the point of comfort, and want a plan that's tax-smart, paced to their life, and built around what comes next.
If that sounds like your situation, let's talk.
Articles to Read Before You Sell a Share
Understanding Your Stock Options: A Guide to Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options
A guide to understanding your Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) and Non-qualified Stock Options (NSOs)
Zachary Ashburn, CFP®, EA, AFC®
A Guide to Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs)
A Guide to Understanding and Maximizing Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs)
Zachary Ashburn, CFP®, EA, AFC®
What Happens to Company Stock When You're Laid Off
A review of what happens to your RSUs and Stock Options if you get laid off
Zachary Ashburn, CFP®, EA, AFC®
What counts as a concentrated stock position?
As a rule of thumb, when a single stock represents more than 10 to 20 percent of your investable net worth, you're carrying concentration risk. For most clients we work with, that number is closer to 50 to 90 percent, often built through company equity, RSUs, founder shares, or a long-held investment that quietly outgrew the rest of the portfolio.
Do I have to sell everything at once?
Almost never. Most plans we build stage the diversification over multiple tax years to spread the gain, take advantage of lower brackets, and coordinate with charitable giving or income changes. Selling everything in one calendar year is usually the most expensive option, not the safest one.
What's an exchange fund, and is it right for me?
An exchange fund lets you contribute your concentrated shares into a partnership with other concentrated holders, receive a diversified basket in return, and defer the capital gains tax, typically for seven years. They fit a narrow profile (accredited investor, willing to lock up shares, tax deferral worth more than liquidity) and we walk through the math before recommending one.
Can charitable giving really lower my tax bill on appreciated stock?
Yes, and often significantly. Donating long-term appreciated shares directly to a donor-advised fund or charitable remainder trust avoids the capital gains tax entirely while generating a deduction at fair market value. For clients who already plan to give, this is one of the highest-leverage moves available.
I'm an executive with restricted stock. Can you still help?
Yes. Restricted stock, RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, ESPP shares, and 10b5-1 trading plans are core to what we do. Trading windows, blackout periods, and Section 16 reporting are part of how we sequence the plan.
Do you only work with local clients?
No. We work virtually with clients across the U.S. and have deep experience with multi-state tax situations, including the residency questions that come up when concentrated positions and corporate exits often coincide.