Guidance, education, and a plan — built around your equity.
Equity comp is complicated. Whether you're learning on your own or ready for a dedicated CFP® — you're in the right place.
Everything you need — anchored to your equity.
Retirement Planning
We model your 401(k), IRA, and brokerage balances against your retirement date — layering in equity vesting and liquidity events so the projection reflects reality. You leave with a specific savings rate and milestone timeline, not a generic "save more" recommendation.
Investment Management
Concentrated equity positions are the default for tech employees and the most common source of unplanned risk. We build a diversified portfolio alongside your comp and set a systematic diversification schedule that reduces single-stock exposure without triggering unnecessary tax events.
Insurance Analysis
We review term life, disability, umbrella, and employer-provided coverage against your actual income, equity value, and obligations. Most tech employees are underinsured on disability and overinsured on term — we right-size both and document what needs to change.
Estate Basics
We align beneficiary designations across every account, flag what needs an estate attorney, and plan what happens to unvested equity and options in the event of death or disability. Not comprehensive estate law — the critical coordination most people skip.
Tax Strategy
We coordinate with your CPA and model tax scenarios before each vest date — not after the W-2 arrives. Year-round planning across ordinary income, RSU events, ISO exercises, capital gains harvesting, and charitable giving tied to your equity schedule.
Equity Advisory
A dedicated plan for every ISO, RSU, and option grant — exercise timing, AMT exposure, liquidation strategy, and long-term wealth. The EQUITY System™ is the six-step framework that makes this possible.
See how the EQUITY System™ worksFree resources
Blog & Newsletter
ISO timing, RSU taxes, AMT planning — deep dives on the decisions that matter.
Educational Videos
Short explainers on equity compensation concepts — no jargon, no fluff.
Equity Breakdowns
Plain-English guides to RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs, and QSBS — what they are and how they work.
Tools & Calculators
AMT exposure, RSU withholding, million-dollar mistake — run your real numbers.
Most advisors treat equity comp as a side service.
Traditional Wirehouse Broker
- Generalist — handles every client type
- Commission-based product recommendations
- Equity comp is secondary to the relationship
- One-size-fits-all financial plan
- No proprietary equity framework
The Equity Architect
- Equity comp specialists — entire practice built for this
- Fee-only AUM — zero commissions, ever
- The EQUITY System™ — six steps, purpose-built
- Comprehensive CFP® planning anchored to your equity
- Fiduciary by law — your interest first, always
A generalist who doesn't specialize in equity comp is the most expensive kind. The 2025 AMT exemption for single filers is $88,100 — a threshold many tech employees cross without realizing it. Miss that planning window and the bill arrives months later, after the opportunity is gone.
Still figuring out if this is right for you?
Three steps to a plan built around your equity.
Book
Schedule a free 30-minute equity review. No commitment, no sales pitch.
Map
We build your complete equity and financial picture — grants, tax exposure, timeline.
Execute
Walk away with a dated, milestone-driven plan built around your specific grants.
Free 30-minute call. No obligation. No pitch.
Book Your Free Equity ReviewImportant disclosures
Mitchell Ludwig is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Registered Investment Adviser Representative of Carolina Wealth Partners. Securities are offered through United Planners Financial Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Carolina Wealth Partners and The Equity Architect are separate entities. Jon Ludwig is a Series 65–registered Investment Adviser Representative and promoter.
All content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Examples, illustrations, and client archetypes are composite in nature and do not represent any specific client. All tools and calculators are estimates only. Consult a qualified tax advisor or CFP® professional before making any financial decisions.
All marketing content is reviewed and approved by United Planners compliance in accordance with SEC Marketing Rule (Rule 206(4)–1). Past performance is not indicative of future results.