About LAKEHOUSE FAMILY WEALTH

And how you become your family's financial HERO...

1. Fiduciary

We do what is in your best interest.  Period.

2. Fee-Based

We focus on advice and fit, not product sales.  We do NOT have any cookie-cutter portfolios.

3. Zoom & Local

Online & in-person, with you, your spouse, and your children. Fluffy pets encouraged.

A man is kneeling down next to a dog on a leash

WHAT WE DO

You've heard all the fancy lines and read all the industry jargon. 

But how does that help you, and what does Lakehouse Family Wealth actually do? In plain terms!?!


If there is anything that drives us crazy in this industry, it's how overwhelming financial jargon has become to American families. So let's say your family has a scenario like these:

Lakehouse Family Wealth is dedicated to helping your family manage their entire financial picture for generations to come. 


Investments are just one of the many icebergs in the lake...

Schedule a Chat
A man is kneeling down next to a large dog on a leash.

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • You need investment management.  We do that.
  • You need someone to coordinate your Estate Attorney, Accountant, and financial plan. We do that.
  • You need to know how much to save in order to retire, and how you can retire early: We do that. 
  • You need to know when you should start taking Social Security: We do that. 


Lakehouse Family Wealth is dedicated to helping your family manage their entire financial picture for generations to come.


Investments are just the tip of the iceburg...


Schedule a Chat
A man is kneeling down next to a large dog on a leash.

WHAT YOU NEED

You've heard all the industry jargon. 


But how does that help you, and what does Lakehouse Family Wealth actually do? In plain terms!?!


Here are some scenarios:

  • You need investment management: We do that!
  • You need someone to coordinate your Estate Attorney, Accountant, and financial plan: We do that. 
  • You need to know how much to save in order to retire, and how you can retire early: We do that. 
  • You need to know when you should start taking Social Security: We do that. 

Here are some scenarios:

  • You need investment management: We do that!
  • You need someone to coordinate your Estate Attorney, Accountant, and financial plan: We do that. 
  • You need to know how much to save in order to retire, and how you can retire early: We do that. 
  • You need to know when you should start taking Social Security: We do that. 
Schedule a Chat

Did you know?


There are at least 19 areas of planning for the typical household. 

WE HELP WITH:

Retirement Planning

Financial Planning

Investment Management

Long-Term Care Planning

Retirement Planning

Financial Planning

Investment Management

Long-Term Care Planning

401(k) Rollovers & Roth Conversions

RMD, Required Minimum Distribution Planning

Social Security Timing

Divorce Financial Planning

Rollovers

Cash Flow Planning

Social Security Timing

Divorce Financial Planning

Financial Education

Wealth Management

Medicare Questions

Insurance Optimization

Financial Education

Wealth Management

Medicare Questions

Insurance Optimization

Investment Tax-Reduction Strategies

Retirement Income Planning

401(k) and other Workplace Retirement Accounts

Charitable Contribution Planning

Investment Tax-Reduction Strategies

Retirement Income Planning

Workplace Retirement Accounts

Charitable Contribution Planning

Passing Healthy Financial Habits to Future Generations

(Family Financial Education)

Estate Planning

(With your Estate Planning Attorneys)

Tax Planning

College Planning

Passing Healthy Financial Habits to Future Generations

(Family Financial Education)

Estate Planning

(And we work with your Estate Planning Attorneys for the legal side of things...)

Tax Planning

Passing Healthy Financial Habits to Future Generations

(Family Financial Education)

Estate Planning

(And we work with your Estate Planning Attorneys for the legal side of things...)

Tax Planning

College Planning

"How Do You Bill Clients?"

What if you want world-class help with your finances, but don't meet most firms' minimum asset requirements?

We've got a fix for that.

Billing Options:

  • Either a percentage of assets-under-advisement (Often referred to as "AUA or AUM billing"), or
  • A flat monthly or quarterly fee via credit card or checking account.
  • Or a combination.
  • Household onboarding fees start at $1,900 for individuals, $2,900 for couples.

 Our % Fee Schedule:

  • $0-2 Million: 1.5%
  • $2 to $5 Million: 0.75%
  • $5-$10 Million: 0.65%
  • $10 Million + : Quoted


All Core Services Included For Every Client:

  • Core Planning Includes:
  • Investment management
  • Tax Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Generational wealth planning and education
  • Risk planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Budget Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Rollover, Roth, mega-backdoor-Roth, and workplace 401(k), 403(b), 401(a), 457(b) planning
  • Stock options planning
  • Financial education for the whole family
  • Long-term college planning (>4 years out)
  • Long-Term-Care, Life, and Disability insurance planning
  • Home, Auto, Umbrella, Pet, and Health insurance planning.
  • Income and Social Security Planning
  • Medicare Planning
  • Inheritance Planning
  • Charitable Contribution Planning

Specialty Planning Services Quoted On A Case-By-Case Basis:

  • Speciality planning prices include All Core Services!
  • Divorce Planning: Starts at $6,900 per year until 12 months after the completion of the divorce, at which time we re-assess. 
  • Includes all traditional services
  • In certain circumstances, divorce planning fees may be paid upon completion of the divorce from settlement proceeds.


  • Budget Counseling: Quoted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Includes all traditional services


  • Special Needs Planning: Quoted per case.
  • Business Valuation and Sale Planning: Quoted per case.
  • Near-Term College Planning (<4 years out): One-Time fee of $2,750-6,750 depending on services.
  • Near-Term College Planning is in addition to exisitng services.


Billing Options:

  • Either a percentage of assets-under-advisement (Often referred to as "AUA or AUM billing"), or
  • A flat monthly or quarterly fee paid via credit card or checking account.
  • Or a combination.
  • Household onboarding fees start at $1,900 for individuals, $2,900 for couples.

Our % Fee Schedule:

  • $0-2 Million: 1.5%
  • $2 to $5 Million: 0.75%
  • $5-$10 Million: 0.65%
  • $10 Million + : Quoted

Firm Annual Minimums:

  • Traditional Planning: $5,900
  • Traditional Planning Includes:
  • Investment management
  • Tax Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Generational wealth planning and education
  • Risk planning
  • Financial Planning
  • Budget Planning
  • Retirement Planning
  • Rollover, Roth, mega-backdoor-Roth, and workplace 401(k), 403(b), 401(a), 457(b) planning
  • Stock options planning
  • Financial education for the whole family
  • Long-term college planning (>4 years out)
  • Long-Term-Care, Life, Disability insurance planning
  • Home, Auto, Umbrella, Pet, and Health insurance planning.
  • Income and Social Security Planning
  • Medicare Planning

Specialty Planning Minimums:

  • Divorce Planning: Starts at $6,900 per year until 12 months after the completion of the divorce, at which time we re-asses. 
  • Includes all traditional services
  • In certain circumstances, divorce planning fees may be paid upon completion of the divorce from settlement proceeds.


  • Budget Counseling: Starts at $6,900 per year
  • Includes all traditional services
  • 3-year minimum at this rate.


  • Special Needs Planning: Quoted per case.
  • Business Valuation and Sale Planning: Quoted per case.
  • Near-Term College Planning (<4 years out): One-Time fee of $2,750-6,750 depending on services.
  • Near-Term College Planning is in addition to exisitng services.



Your Questions, Answered

This matters to you! So, let's start with the basics.

  • Are your a CFP® or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

    Yes!  Benjamin Simerly is proud to be a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and holds all applicable licenses for being a financial planner, including the Series 65.


    A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional is also known as a CFP®.

  • Are you a Fiduciary?

    Yes. We are Fiduciaries!

  • Are you Fee-Based?

    Yes. Proudly!  we serve clients based on a percentage of assets, or monthly, or quarterly fees from investments or your checking account. 

  • Do you have an asset-minimum?

    Nope.  It's all about the fit between you and our firm. 

  • Are you licensed?

    Ben Simerly holds the Series 7, Series 66 (Series 63 and 65 combined), and Life + Health Insurance licenses so that we can help clients with long-term care, Medicare, and other specialty insurance decisions.


    We do not push annuity sales, however!  


    For some, they can be the right fit.  But generally, they aren't our first choice. 

  • Do you push annuities?

    No.  We focus on fit.  More often than not, is a different approach than an annuity.  We try to avoid annuities, to be frank.  

  • Do you serve only local, in-person clients?

    We work both virtually and in-person:  Serving clients all over the United States via Zoom, and and locally in N.E. Ohio.

  • Who do you work with?

    • Families all along the family lifecycle, from young families just getting started to parents already in retirement and planning for their grandchildren's futures.
    • No asset minimum.
    • We work with families that are in two different categories: Either already retired or about to retire with at least 2 million in investable assets. 
    • Or, Families looking to have at least 2 million in investable assets when they retire (In today's dollars...).  That may sound like a lot, but 1 million isn't what it used to be...  We proudly help families saving their first dollar.  
    • AND Families of any age that are dedicated to building generational wealth.
    • Families dedicated to the process: We expect our clients to be diligent about their finances (or actively working with us towards learning what that means). Show up for meetings on time, ready to go, no distractions But what about single parents or when things don't go to plan? Don't worry; we get it.  Screaming child in hand, the meeting will carry forward! Be dedicated to saving for the future (if not already in retirement...) Families that are committed to passing healthy financial habits on to the next generation.
    • Families looking to focus their finances on time together, and the healthiest family life possible: This does not mean creating what many refer to as "trust fund babies." We work with families that believe in what generational wealth can do to ensure families spend more time together (and more easily weather the storms that life can bring...).

  • What if I already have an annuity?

    That's O.K.!   We are happy to work with your existing portfolio.

  • Are you going to "make" me sell all my current holdings?

    In short, nope.  We do not make clients sell their investments.  We provide various possible options based on your input, and work with you to find the right fit.

  • Are you going to recommend a certain type of investment?

    Nope. Its all about the right fit for you and your family, whatever that might be. Pure and simple.

  • What if I don't want to pay an Asset-Under-Advisement fee?

    No problem! We are happy to bill via bank, card, or whatever method works for you and your family. 

  • What if I want to pay out of assets, and not from a bank account?

    No problem!  We are happy to bill via whatever method works best for you and your family.

  • What if I am getting divorced and can't afford to pay until the divorce settles? Or don't know if I can afford your services?

    We work with families going through a divorce and completely understand that it may be some time until the finances are available to pay.  


    We are also happy to help work through the questions of affordability. Just get in touch!

  • What if our family moves, we change employers, our family grows, or other changes?

    We go and grow right along with you.  

  • Why the name "Lakehouse Family Wealth"?

    Growing up spending summers on the lakes of Northern Michigan, Ben (Founder of Lakehouse Family Wealth) was lucky enough to see what time spent on the lake with family could achieve.  


    No matter how basic or fancy the lakehouse/cabin/lodge/beachouse/ etc, it can bring a family together in a way that nothing else can.  And helping families pursue that dream financially became a passion at a young age.


    Ben's friends and family know all too well, if he had to choose between a house or a boat, he would take the boat... 


    Ben has come home to Cleveland to bring his lifelong love of financial planning full swing in helping families, and small businesses pursue their dreams.  

View More FAQs

BENJAMIN SIMERLY, CFP®

Founder & Wealth Advisor, Lakehouse Family Wealth

A man in a blue suit and white shirt is standing on a bridge with his hands in his pockets.

Retirement Planning - Financial Planning - Financial Advisor


A proud Cleveland native and Eagle Scout, Ben earned his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University with dual specializations in Finance and Personal Financial Planning.


In 2019, Ben moved back to Ohio from the Washington D.C. region to help families pursue their values in time spent with family into a financial reality, especially on the water…


In 2022, Ben founded Lakehouse Family Wealth, LLC., to help families across America reach their family financial dreams.


Lakehouse Family Wealth is a Cleveland Ohio, comprehensive fiduciary financial firm offering fee-based wealth and financial planning services.

Raised by a corporate exec turned business professor Mother, and Father in international business, and a Veteran of the United States Air Force, Ben was raised on finance, duty, and discipline from birth. 


With extensive experience in small and medium-sized business operations, including growing & starting company operations in multiple states, countries, and two continents, as well as having owned his own IT and technology consulting businesses, Ben is no stranger to the challenges of both business and personal finances. 


Coming from a family with a long history in business ownership, Ben spent his childhood alongside his Grandfather analyzing Value Line Investment stock research and helping keep his Grandfather's small business accounting books.


By age seven, Ben was buying his own school supplies and growing his accounts by selling Organic produce and candy door to door in NE, Ohio, long before Organic anything was considered “hip.” 


Oh, and he grew the produce himself…

Reach Ben by Phone, Text, or Email

BEN SIMERLY

Founder & Wealth Advisor, Lakehouse Family Wealth

A man in a blue suit and white shirt is standing on a bridge with his hands in his pockets.

Retirement Planning - Financial Planning - Financial Advisor


A proud Cleveland native and Eagle Scout, Ben earned his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University with dual specializations in Finance and Personal Financial Planning.


In 2019, Ben moved back to Ohio from the Washington D.C. region to help families pursue their values in time spent with family into a financial reality, especially on the water…

In 2022, Ben founded Lakehouse Family Wealth, LLC., to help families across America reach their family financial dreams.


Lakehouse Family Wealth is a Cleveland Ohio, a comprehensive financial firm where Fiduciary Advisors offer fee-based wealth and financial planning services.


Raised by a corporate exec turned business professor Mother, and Father in international business, and a Veteran of the United States Air Force, Ben was raised on finance, duty, and discipline from birth. 


With extensive experience in small and medium-sized business operations, including growing & starting company operations in multiple states, countries, and two continents, as well as having owned his own IT and technology consulting businesses, Ben is no stranger to the challenges of both business and personal finances. 


Coming from a family with a long history in business ownership, Ben spent his childhood alongside his Grandfather analyzing Value Line Investment stock research and helping keep his Grandfather's small business accounting books.


By age seven, Ben was buying his own school supplies and growing his accounts by selling Organic produce and candy door to door in NE, Ohio, long before Organic anything was considered “hip.” 


Oh, and he grew the produce himself…

Reach Ben by Phone, Text, or Email

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