This Modera Wealth Management FAQ answers what people ask before and after they hire a wealth advisor, in the order a relationship runs: first contact, the early weeks, the years after. It's written mostly for tech employees holding RSUs, stock options and an employee stock purchase plan, with too much of their net worth in one stock. It won't quote individual advice, firm fees or your exact tax bill; those depend on your own accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Modera Wealth Management, and does it work with someone who just got a big RSU grant?
Modera Wealth Management is a wealth advisory firm in Salt Lake City that serves families across the country, mostly by screen-share video call or phone. As of 10/12/2026 it serves 418,000 clients and $5.7 billion in client assets. A big RSU grant is fine, as long as your investable assets reach $500,000.
Is there a minimum, and what if my accounts are under $500,000 today?
The minimum is $500,000 in investable assets. If you're under it, say $380,000 with RSUs still vesting, the firm may not be able to take you on yet. Send a note anyway; you can ask where you stand and revisit after your next vest or ESPP purchase.
How does Modera Wealth Management get paid, and when do I see the cost?
The firm is paid by the families it works with, under a written agreement you read and sign before any work starts. Nothing is billed ahead of that document. Read it the way you'd read an offer letter: check what's covered, how the charge is calculated and how you can end it.
Can I fit a call into my schedule if I work long hours at my company?
Yes. Office hours aren't published; meetings are by appointment, so you pick a time that fits around sprint deadlines or time zones. Calls run by screen-share video or phone, so you don't travel. Send a request through the form and name the days that usually work for you.
What do I need to bring when my RSU vests, my ESPP buys and my options expire all in one year?
Bring your latest brokerage statements, the grant or vesting schedule from your equity portal, and last year's tax return. For ESPP shares, add the purchase dates and discount. Modera Wealth Management advisors read these together, because the order you sell in changes the tax bill.
What happens if most of my net worth is still in my employer's stock?
You'll get a sale schedule, not a one-day dump. Say $400,000 of a $1 million net worth sits in one stock, 40 percent. Before Modera Wealth Management suggests selling, it estimates the tax bill of each lot, then spreads sales across tax years. Every investment can lose value, including the money you put in.
Do I have to move my accounts, or can my 401(k) stay at my employer's plan?
Your 401(k) can usually stay where it is, since many employer plans can't be managed outside the plan anyway. Modera Wealth Management looks at it alongside your IRA and taxable account. Which investments sit in which account matters as much as what you own, so the plan still gets reviewed.
My spouse doesn't follow the stock side of our finances; can they join the meetings?
Yes, and many couples do it. Your spouse can join the same video call or phone line, and an adult child can too if you'd like. It helps if both of you can see the same accounts and know who to call if something happens to one of you.
What does Modera Wealth Management do, and what do I still decide myself?
The firm reviews your accounts, estimates the tax bill of changes, suggests which investments belong in taxable, IRA or Roth accounts, and writes you a playbook. You decide whether to act. Selling shares, exercising options and the pace of diversifying stay your calls.
Should I use an online robo service instead of a person?
A robo service can work if your money is simple: one paycheck, one retirement account. Stock options, RSU vesting and an ESPP make it harder, because the key choices are when to sell and which account holds what. A person can read your grant letters and the tax effect; software mostly can't.
I'm 38 and retirement is 25 years away; is it too early?
No, if one stock dominates your wealth. At 38 the main job is often cutting that concentration while your tax bracket and vesting schedule give you room. Say $200,000 vests annually; you can sell part each year and fill Roth or IRA space. Waiting can cost flexibility.
If the market drops 20 percent, what does Modera Wealth Management do?
It doesn't promise to prevent losses. On a $1 million portfolio, a 20 percent drop is $200,000 on paper. Modera Wealth Management reviews your playbook with you, checks cash set aside for spending, and looks at selling losing shares to offset gains. Any change is discussed before it's made.