Their experienced team will help you grow, preserve and protect your wealth

Hardworking men and women can benefit from the same strategies for creating, growing, preserving and protecting wealth as the financially affluent.

A visit with a Terrell & Associates team is the perfect place to start. They’re a local, full-service independent financial planning firm.

For anyone new at making investment and financial decisions, this firm can help. They have a down-to-earth style, but they mean business. 

For the person who is wondering if what they’re doing could be improved upon, this firm can help. It’s possible to meet with them and not feel pressured to make a change in the way you currently handle your money and other assets.  

Unlike an insurance agent whose primary role is to sell a certain insurance product, a bank teller who offers a low-risk fixed savings plan or a stockbroker who might push his own firm’s proprietary offerings, the team at Terrell & Associates is different. 

They offer a comprehensive approach to formulating a financial plan based on savings, investments, insurance, taxes, retirement and estate planning.

Estate planning is an overlooked aspect of financial planning, according to Randy Harless, one of Terrell & Associates financial advisors.

“But if you own property, you have an estate and you need a plan.”

Having a plan in place can mean less taxes, fees and court costs for clients and their heirs. 

Terrell & Associates also helps clients determine health, disability and life insurance needs.

In a world where retirement pensions are a thing of the past and people are living longer than ever, Terrell & Associates helps clients craft individualized plans for preserving and protecting hard-earned dollars, whether that retirement includes spoiling the grandchildren on occasion or traveling the world. A big reason to turn to Terrell & Associates financial advisors is because they stay on top of the ever-changing tax code and how taxes can impact financial moves. 

“A lot of people call themselves financial advisors,” said Matt Shaheen, “but titles can be misleading.”

All four advisors are fully licensed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority – Series 7, Series 66, life and health. They can break down what can be a complicated slate of products in a way anyone can understand and benefit – whether the person decides to use their services or not. 

“We’re different from many financial planning companies in that we’re an independent,” said owner Roland Terrell. “We can recommend products from the whole of the market. “Working as an independent company allows us to put our client’s interests above our own.”

Terrell said people who want to take advantage of financial planning advice might look for a big-name firm without local roots, not realizing that Terrell & Associates offers the access to the same products – maybe more –yet may be more nimble and accessible.

“It may be easier to tell you what we’re not,” said Randy Harless. “We don’t just sell products. We like to think of ourselves as educators. We’ve met with people and we’ve told them not to change a thing. Scheduling a session with the right financial planner is like scheduling with a mechanic for routine maintenance or like the yearly medical check up.”

“One of the most important things we do,” Rhea Shields explained, “is help our clients understand what they have. Whether that be an annuity or life insurance or 401k or pension.” 

Terrell & Associates can help with 401K and IRA rollovers or transfers, coordinate company benefits, help with retirement accumulation and distribution planning. They’re also experienced with investment diversification and asset management.

Taking advantage of the expertise offered by Terrell & Associates doesn’t require great wealth, but it does require a certain strength of character to plan for the future and willingness to act. Call Terrell & Associates at 337-474-4025. 

From left., Michelle Harris, Rhea Shields, Roland Terrell, Matt Shaheen and Randy Harless in front of the Terrell and Associates office located at 625 West College Street, Lake Charles. Call them today at 337-474-4025. (Rita LeBleu/American Press)

Matt Shaheen financial advisor

Randy Harless financial advisor

Rhea Shields financial advisor

Roland Terrell President/financial advisor