Frequently Asked Questions

Liberty Group (LG) was started in 1997 by David Hollander, Esq. While practicing as an attorney, David also worked for Smith Barney and then Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor. During this time, he envisioned creating a practice where finance, law, and tax were all available under one roof. As his practice developed and financial services technology improved, his vision expanded to include the desire to empower his clients with access to the latest technological tools as well. Liberty Group completes this vision. Liberty Group is a one-stop shop that provides clients with comprehensive and individually tailored multi-services—finance, legal, and tax planning guidance, in one convenient location.

Since then, our team has grown to over 30 employees and three locations, the original Oakland office, Larkspur, and Newport Beach. We have helped thousands of clients and families work toward financial freedom and creating their dream retirements.

Liberty Group, Holdings, Inc. operates a range of businesses through controlled entities (i.e., affiliated businesses under common ownership, control, or operation), collectively referred to as Liberty Group (or "LG"). LG's affiliated entities are as follows:
→ Hollander & Hollander, PC (“H&H”) – a law firm
→ Liberty Alternative Asset Management, LLC ("LAAM") – a privately held company formed to invest in limited partnership interests of particular private investment opportunities
→ Liberty Tax Planners, LLC ("LTP") – an affiliated firm offering tax preparation services
→ Lifetime Planning Marketing, Inc. ("LPM") DBA Lifetime Insurance Marketing (CA # 0F17020) – an insurance field marketing association ("FMO") offering insurance products and services
→ Liberty Wealth Management, LLC DBA Liberty Group ("LWM") – an SEC-registered investment adviser

Our primary focus is on individuals who are approaching retirement or already in their retirement phase of life. However, our knowledge and experience in wealth management and financial planning is not limited to just this demographic. We proudly extend our comprehensive financial services to people from all stages of life, regardless of
their age or financial Status. Whether someone is just starting to build their financial portfolio or seeking to preserve and grow their existing wealth, we offer personalized solutions that cater to every individual's unique needs and goals. Our aim is to provide financial guidance that can assist everyone at every stage of their life as they work
towards financial security.

We offer a vast number of services in several areas. Our tailored wealth management strategies offer more than just investment advice. We provide comprehensive solutions designed around your financial goals. Our team of experienced advisors will manage your portfolio with precision, optimizing for growth and sustainability.

Our financial planning services are designed to provide a roadmap tailored to your financial objectives, whether that is retirement, wealth accumulation, or debt management. We take the time to understand your unique needs and create a plan that evolves with your changing life circumstances. We then work with the other divisions of Liberty Group to integrate this plan into your overall wealth management, tax, and/or estate plan.

Our tax professionals will help you navigate the tax landscape with a proactive approach. We provide year-round tax planning and preparation services, ensuring you are well positioned to make tax-efficient decisions.

Our experienced estate law attorneys provide guidance on wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, and probate matters. We will help you establish a plan that reflects your wishes and protects your assets for the next generation and beyond.

We understand the importance of keeping you informed and involved in your financial planning. Typically, we schedule regular review meetings on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, depending on your preferences and your portfolio’s complexity. These meetings allow us to assess the progress, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure that your plan aligns with your goals and current situation. Additionally, we are always available for ad hoc meetings or consultations whenever you have questions or need assistance.

Tracking the performance of your investments is crucial, and we make this process convenient and transparent for
you. We can provide you with reports detailing your performance. In addition to these regular reports, we also offer online access to your investment information, allowing you to monitor your portfolio at any time.

Yes, we are fiduciaries, and as such, we have legal obligations to act in your best interests. As a fiduciary, our duty is to prioritize your interests above our own or those of our firm. This involves managing and providing investment advice in a manner that aligns with your specific goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. We must also adhere to stringent standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency. This includes fully disclosing any potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that all fees and costs are clearly communicated to you. We are committed to providing you with the highest level of professional care and diligence in managing your financial matters, all in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing our industry. Your trust is of utmost importance to us, and we strive to foster a relationship built on clear communication, understanding, and mutual respect.

Grasping the tax implicatons of your investments is not just essential—it is a cornerstone of effective wealth
management. Our team is committed to guiding you through the tax considerations that correspond with various investment opportunities and your overall financial plan. Whether it is understanding the impact of dividends,
interest, capital gains, or exploring potential deductions, we provide in-depth insights tailored to your specific
financial situation.

A common and essential topic of discussion with our clients is the strategy of tax loss harvesting. This involves
analyzing and potentially selling underperforming investments to offset gains in other areas, thereby potentially reducing taxable income. It is a nuanced aspect of investment management that we carefully navigate to align with your financial goals.

Additionally, we recognize the value of collaboration with specialized tax professionals. Whether it is working in
conjunction with your existing tax advisor or introducing you to trusted tax professionals within our network, we are
prepared to create strategies that aim not only to minimize your tax liability but also to complement your overall
financial objectives.

It is important to note that while our guidance on tax matters is comprehensive, it should complement, not replace, the formal tax advice provided by a certified tax professional. Such professionals are equipped to deliver advice that is precisely calibrated to your individual circumstances, ensuring that your investment decisions are both legally compliant and financially sound.

LWM’s guiding principle is that protecting clients, employees, and family members always takes precedence over preserving business assets. Accordingly, LWM’s policy is to respond to a significant business disruption (SBD)by first safeguarding the lives of its clients, employees, family members, and others, and then firm property, making a quick financial and operational assessment, protecting and preserving all advisory books and records, and promptly recovering and resuming operations to allow clients to condone to transact business as rapidly as possible.

LWM does not maintain custody of client funds or securities; clients maintain all account assets at an independent qualified custodian with whom they can always communicate and access assets directly, with or without the Adviser’s intervention. In the event of an SBD, LWM will help facilitate client access to these external accounts by resolving their questions, providing status updates, and offerring up-to-date contact information to assist them in reaching their custodians and – if applicable for the type of account opened, any third-party managers (TPM) directly. If a client’s custodian or TPM is also impacted by an SBD or cannot otherwise be reached, LWM will generate a bulk email via the firm’s then-current Internet-based communications platform to inform the situation and safeguard clients’ awareness of developments. LWM will also communicate with custodians and TPMs on the client’s behalf.

You can read more about our business continuity policy here: https://libertygroupllc.com/business-condnuity/

LG is committed to safeguarding the confidential information of its clients. LG holds all personal information provided by clients in the strictest confidence and the firm's objective is to protect the privacy of all clients. Except as permitted or required by law, LG does not share confidential information about clients with nonaffiliated parties. In the event that there were to be a change in this policy, the firm will provide clients with written notice and clients will be provided with an opportunity to direct LG as to whether such disclosure is permissible. LG employees multi-layer technologies to address the various elements of cybersecurity. Personally identifiable information (PII) is encrypted and stored in a cloud provider that is aligned with accreditation standards such as PCI 3.2, NIST 800-53, HIPAA and GDPR. Our system is monitored by artificial intelligence and secured by multi-factor authentication (MFA). We use data loss prevention systems (DLP), remote monitoring and management and mobile device management to further protect your information. We strictly adhere to all compliance regulations and requirements for the handling of PII. All information is stored in the cloud on Microsoft 365. MFA is provided by DUO. DLP and SPAM filtering is performed by Darktrace. Our phone system is RingCentral, and our antivirus system is Webroot.

Estate planning and wealth transfer are important components of comprehensive financial planning. Our team works closely with you to understand your wishes and your family’s unique dynamics. We can assist with creating a strategic plan that encompasses wills, trusts, and other legal structures to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your intentions. If needed, we can also collaborate with legal experts to ensure that all aspects of your estate plan are handled with the utmost care and compliance. Our goal is to create a seamless and effective plan that provides peace of mind for you and your heirs.

Absolutely. Planning for major life events is integral to maintaining financial stability and achieving your long-term goals. Whether you are getting married, expanding your family, or contemplating a significant career shift, we can help you navigate the financial aspects of these milestones. We will work with you to assess your current financial situation, identify new objectives, and develop strategies that align with your evolving needs and aspirations. Our approach ensures that you are financially prepared and resilient, regardless of the life changes you face.

We recognize the value of flexibility in an ever-changing economic landscape. As such, we offer the construction of alternative plans, designed to adapt to different potential future scenarios to prepare you for the unpredictability of life. We are committed to diving deep into a range of these custom scenarios, each designed around your unique situation and feedback. We will offer a thorough analysis of possible financial results and tackle the emotional aspects of each theoretical situation, ensuring you are well-prepared for any twists and turns. As we review these alternatives, we will highlight potential risks or areas that warrant further attention. Our ultimate goal? To present you with a robust financial strategy—whether it is your core plan or an alternative—that is resilient against a myriad of economic challenges.

Flexibility is key in financial planning, as goals and circumstances are bound to change. Regular communication and ongoing reviews ensure that your financial plan remains relevant and supportive of your life's journey. We can adjust your plan whenever needed.

Our communication with clients is both regular and adaptable to your preferences. Typically, we conduct formal review meetings on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, either in-person or via virtual platforms. Our team also provides regular updates, newsletters, and market insights to keep you informed. Your comfort and understanding are paramount, so we tailor our communication methods to suit your needs and ensure you feel well-connected to Liberty Group and your financial life.

The process for withdrawing money from your investments depends on the type of investment and the specific account involved. In many cases, withdrawals can be executed relatively quickly. However, it is essential to understand that certain investments may carry penalties or tax implications for early withdrawal. This is something your advisor will discuss with you and can answer any questions you may have.

Two of the most common financial mistakes we encounter is a lack of proper planning and diversification, often coupled with overconfidence in a do-it-yourself investment strategy. This combination can lead to undue risks and inconsistencies in an investment portfolio.

Without professional guidance and a well-thought-out plan, individuals may be heavily invested in an asset class or market sector, leaving them vulnerable to market volatility in that sector or class. Moreover, the overconfidence in a do-it-yourself approach may cause investors to overlook essential details, ignore warning signs, or misinterpret market trends. While self-reliance is admirable, it often lacks a broader perspective, in-depth analysis, and continuous monitoring provided by professional wealth management.

To avoid these common pitfalls, it is wise to seek professional financial planning that offers comprehensive risk assessment, diversification strategies, and ongoing portfolio monitoring and management. By engaging with experienced wealth advisors, tax professionals, and attorneys, individuals can create a balanced and resilient investment portfolio that aligns with their financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. The collaborative approach ensures that the investment strategy is regularly reviewed and adjusted, reflecting changes in personal circumstances, market conditions, and financial objectives.

Yes, we offer secure online portals and mobile apps that provide you with easy and convenient access to your account information. These tools allow you to view your portfolio, access statements, review your financial plan, store, and manage your documents, and communicate with our team.

Yes, insurance planning is another vital component of a well-rounded financial plan. We can help you evaluate your insurance needs in areas such as life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. By assessing your specific situation and potential risks, we will work with you to identify the appropriate coverage levels and policies that suit your needs.

Liberty Group collects personal and technical information from individuals requesting information, prospective clients, clients, and employees through various means, including phone calls, email, mail, online interactions, and in-person communications. This information encompasses contact details, investment-related queries, phone call recordings, and data collected through cookies and tracking technologies. LG uses this information for purposes such as internal record-keeping, improving products and services, quality assurance, training, follow-up communications, marketing, evaluating prospective employees, providing investment advisory services, and disclosing information externally as permitted or required by law. All these activities are aimed at enhancing the experience and relationship with individuals engaging with LG, consistent with applicable legal obligations and permissions.

You can read more about our privacy practices here:https://libertygroupllc.com/privacy-policy/