Our Services
“The crucial question for any policy is not what, are its intentions, but what are its effects?”
- Walter E. Williams

Rational Wealth Solutions is powered by Mariner, allowing us to leverage the expertise of seasoned professionals in tax, trust, estate planning, investments, retirement planning, and insurance. Additionally, Mariner’s support in technology, compliance, and operations allows us to focus more on what truly matters—building strong, lasting relationships with you.
Investment Management
- Diversification among multiple asset classes
- Consideration of different styles and strategies within asset classes
- Implementation of active and passive strategies
- Tactical asset allocation adjustments
Financial Planning
We will partner with you to develop a customized financial plan that works for you now and over the long term. Whether it’s planning for retirement, saving for a child’s education or making charitable contributions, we will get to know you and your goals, then build a plan to help you reach them. A brief overview of our planning process can be found below.
- Data gathering and a deep assessment of your current situation
- Address immediate concerns – focus on risk areas
- Collaborate to set goals and outline plans for achieving them
- Thoughtful execution of strategic priorities – including tax strategy
- Ongoing monitoring and modifications to your financial plan
Risk Management / Insurance Analysis
Having income protection strategies in place can help you protect your family now and in the future. To build a sound financial plan, it’s a good idea to include insurance solutions such as life and property and casualty insurance. We can help you evaluate solutions and recommend options to fit your family’s needs.
- Asset and income protection strategies
- Analysis of major insurance companies and product recommendations
- Life insurance audits and long-term care expense mitigation
- Estate tax elimination strategies
Trust Services
As you think about providing for your family for generations to come, you may want to consider establishing a trust. We will work with you on strategies to help minimize taxes and maximize your potential wealth transfer and charitable contributions with the goal of helping to ensure your wishes are carried out.
- Review and advise on trust documents
- Charitable planning and gifting strategies
- Generation-skipping wealth transfer strategies
- Self-settled trusts for asset protection and efficient distribution
- Professional, experienced and knowledgeable trust management
Tax Planning
Including an effective tax strategy as part of your overall wealth and estate plan may help you maximize your savings and reach your financial goals. We will work with an experienced, in-house tax team that understands the latest regulatory issues and tax law changes to create tax-efficient strategies for you designed to minimize your tax burden.
- Proactive, creative tax analysis and year-round planning
- Implementation of multi-state tax strategies including residency and domicile
- Gift and estate tax planning
- Charitable donations
Business Valuation
Many business owners do not know how much their companies are worth, making it difficult to establish a clear financial plan. Obtaining a business valuation can aid in the development of a comprehensive wealth plan. Business valuations may be required for a variety of purposes, including:
- Transactions (financial planning, mergers & acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, financing and ESOPs)
- Tax reporting (gift & estate tax, charitable contributions, IRC section 409A and discount studies)
- Financial reporting (purchase price allocations and goodwill impairment)
- Litigation (marital dissolution and shareholder disputes)
Employer Retirement Services
- Plan design
- Investment selection
- Asset allocation
- ERISA compliance & fiduciary services
- IPS preparation & maintenance
- Benchmarking & analysis
- Employee education and financial wellness
*Mariner is certified by The Center for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) as meeting the standards described in the handbook “Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors.” The standard describes how an investment adviser assumes the responsibility for managing a client’s overall investment management process, which includes the selection, monitoring, and de-selection of investment managers, as well as developing processes to implement investment strategies and fiduciary practices on an ongoing basis. These practices also include maintaining a fiduciary checklist for each client to ensure proper fiduciary governance and compliance with ERISA and implementing best practices as described by the Department of Labor.
Asset allocation, diversification and other investment strategies cannot ensure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment or planning strategy will be successful.