# Aequitas Financial Planning

> Fee-only, fiduciary financial planning built for the LGBTQ+ community — wealth building, family planning, estate protections, and values-based investing for queer professionals, couples, and families.

Aequitas Financial Planning is a fee-only RIA founded by Taylor serving LGBTQ+ HENRYs, DINKs, and families nationwide. We specialize in same-sex couples planning, surrogacy financing, and estate strategies that protect chosen family.

## Pages

- [Home](/): Overview of services, philosophy, and how to schedule an intro call.
- [About](/about): Founder background, fiduciary commitments, and firm mission.
- [Services](/services): Fee-only planning tiers, ongoing advice, and one-time engagements.
- [Contact](/contact): Schedule an intro call.
- [Technology](/technology): The planning, investment, and security stack we use with clients.

## LGBTQ+ specialty pages

- [LGBTQ+ Financial Planning](/lgbtq-financial-planning): The main pillar guide — what LGBTQ+ financial planning covers, how fee-only fiduciary engagements work, and links to every specialized topic.
- [LGBTQ+ Estate Planning](/lgbtq-estate-planning): Wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and chosen-family protections for queer households.
- [Financial Planning for Same-Sex Couples](/financial-planning-for-same-sex-couples): Joint vs. separate finances, taxes, and benefits planning for same-sex partners and spouses.
- [High Earner, Not Rich Yet (HENRY)](/high-earner-not-rich-yet): What a HENRY is — $150K+ individual or $250K+ household gross income with under ~$1M invested — and why the LGBTQ+ version of the problem differs (safety premium, chosen-family estate gaps, equity compensation, family-building costs).
- [LGBTQ+ Family Building](/lgbtq-family-building): Comprehensive planning for surrogacy, IVF, adoption, foster-to-adopt, and second-parent adoption — cost ranges, employer benefits, tax considerations, and legal protections.
- [Surrogacy Financial Planning](/surrogacy-financial-planning): Deep dive into U.S. gestational surrogacy costs, financing options, and tax considerations.
- [Marriage Recognition & Your Finances](/marriage-recognition-financial-planning): What marriage actually does for an LGBTQ+ household's money — which of the nine core benefits can be replicated with documents (wills, directives, powers of attorney, titling, beneficiary forms, confirmatory adoption) and the three that cannot (Social Security survivor benefits, the unlimited marital deduction and exemption portability, ERISA spousal rights and rollovers).
- [LGBTQ+ Life Insurance & Beneficiary Guide](/lgbtq-life-insurance-beneficiary-guide): Why beneficiary designations override a will, the order assets actually transfer in, the ERISA notarized-spousal-consent rule on 401(k)s, an eight-account designation audit, and how HIV status, PrEP, gender marker, and insurable interest affect underwriting.
- [Gender-Affirming Care: Financial Planning Guide](/gender-affirming-care-financial-planning): The five cost categories to budget for, using HSA and FSA dollars and the itemized medical deduction, the fully-insured versus self-funded distinction that determines whether state coverage mandates apply, employer travel benefits, and a four-step insurance denial appeal process.
- [Social Security & 2026 IRMAA Brackets](/social-security-irmaa): Full 2026 Medicare IRMAA table for Part B and Part D (standard Part B premium $202.90/mo; surcharge tiers begin above $109,000 single / $218,000 joint on 2024 MAGI, topping out at $689.90/mo Part B plus $91.00/mo Part D at $500,000 single / $750,000 joint), the two-year MAGI lookback, Form SSA-44 life-changing-event appeals, Roth conversion and QCD bracket management, and Social Security spousal (1 year), survivor (9 months), and divorced-spouse (10 years) marriage-duration rules as they apply to same-sex couples married after Obergefell.

## Education

- [Resources](/resources): Free guides, calculators, and the LGBTQ+ wealth email course.
- [Blog](/blog): Articles on queer wealth, taxes, family planning, and investing.
  - [Equity Compensation for LGBTQ+ Professionals](/blog/equity-compensation-lgbtq-professionals)
  - [Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners](/blog/backdoor-roth-ira-high-earners)
  - [AMT and Incentive Stock Options: What to Know Before You Exercise](/blog/amt-incentive-stock-options)
  - [Concentrated Stock Strategies for High Earners](/blog/concentrated-stock-strategies)
  - [Adoption Planning for LGBTQ+ Families](/blog/adoption-planning-lgbtq-families)
  - [IVF Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples](/blog/ivf-planning-lgbtq-couples)
  - [Surrogacy Financing: What It Actually Costs](/blog/surrogacy-financing-costs)
  - [Second-Parent Adoption: Legal & Financial Steps](/blog/second-parent-adoption-legal-financial)
  - [What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?](/blog/what-is-a-fiduciary-financial-advisor)
  - [Inheritance Taxes for Unmarried Partners](/blog/inheritance-taxes-unmarried-partners)
  - [Fee-Only vs. Commission: How Advisors Get Paid](/blog/fee-only-vs-commission-advisors)


## City-specific specialty pages

Every geo city pillar has three specialty sub-pages that combine the topic with the city's local tax, legal, and cost picture:

- Surrogacy financial planning: [Los Angeles](/surrogacy-financial-planning-los-angeles), [Orange County](/surrogacy-financial-planning-orange-county), [San Diego](/surrogacy-financial-planning-san-diego), [San Francisco](/surrogacy-financial-planning-san-francisco), [Palm Springs](/surrogacy-financial-planning-palm-springs), [Sacramento](/surrogacy-financial-planning-sacramento), [Seattle](/surrogacy-financial-planning-seattle), [Portland](/surrogacy-financial-planning-portland), [Austin](/surrogacy-financial-planning-austin), [NYC](/surrogacy-financial-planning-new-york), [Salt Lake City](/surrogacy-financial-planning-salt-lake-city), [Chicago](/surrogacy-financial-planning-chicago).
- LGBTQ+ estate planning: [Los Angeles](/lgbtq-estate-planning-los-angeles), [Orange County](/lgbtq-estate-planning-orange-county), [San Diego](/lgbtq-estate-planning-san-diego), [San Francisco](/lgbtq-estate-planning-san-francisco), [Palm Springs](/lgbtq-estate-planning-palm-springs), [Sacramento](/lgbtq-estate-planning-sacramento), [Seattle](/lgbtq-estate-planning-seattle), [Portland](/lgbtq-estate-planning-portland), [Austin](/lgbtq-estate-planning-austin), [NYC](/lgbtq-estate-planning-new-york), [Salt Lake City](/lgbtq-estate-planning-salt-lake-city), [Chicago](/lgbtq-estate-planning-chicago).
- Same-sex couples planning: [Los Angeles](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-los-angeles), [Orange County](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-orange-county), [San Diego](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-san-diego), [San Francisco](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-san-francisco), [Palm Springs](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-palm-springs), [Sacramento](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-sacramento), [Seattle](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-seattle), [Portland](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-portland), [Austin](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-austin), [NYC](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-new-york), [Salt Lake City](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-salt-lake-city), [Chicago](/same-sex-couples-financial-planning-chicago).

## City tax & cost-of-living guides

Educational per-city guides covering state income tax, property tax, state estate tax, and the LGBTQ+ planning overlay for each metro:

- LGBTQ+ tax & cost-of-living guides: [Los Angeles](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-los-angeles), [Orange County](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-orange-county), [San Diego](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-san-diego), [San Francisco](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-san-francisco), [Palm Springs](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-palm-springs), [Sacramento](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-sacramento), [Seattle](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-seattle), [Portland](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-portland), [Austin](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-austin), [NYC](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-new-york), [Salt Lake City](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-salt-lake-city), [Chicago](/lgbtq-tax-cost-guide-chicago).

## Neighborhood landing pages

Hyper-local pages nested under each city pillar — housing type, community profile, and planning skew for each area.

- Los Angeles: [West Hollywood](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-los-angeles-west-hollywood), [Silver Lake](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-los-angeles-silver-lake), [Los Feliz](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-los-angeles-los-feliz), [Echo Park](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-los-angeles-echo-park), [Long Beach](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-los-angeles-long-beach).
- Orange County: [Laguna Beach](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-orange-county-laguna-beach), [Costa Mesa](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-orange-county-costa-mesa), [Long Beach](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-orange-county-long-beach), [Irvine](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-orange-county-irvine).
- San Diego: [Hillcrest](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-hillcrest), [North Park](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-north-park), [University Heights](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-university-heights), [South Park](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-south-park), [Bankers Hill](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-bankers-hill), [Mission Hills](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-mission-hills), [Normal Heights](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-normal-heights), [Golden Hill](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-golden-hill), [Oceanside & North County](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-diego-oceanside-north-county).
- San Francisco Bay Area: [The Castro](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-francisco-the-castro), [The Mission](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-francisco-the-mission), [Oakland](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-francisco-oakland), [Berkeley](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-francisco-berkeley), [Rockridge](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-san-francisco-rockridge).
- Palm Springs: [Downtown Palm Springs](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-palm-springs-downtown-palm-springs), [Cathedral City](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-palm-springs-cathedral-city), [Rancho Mirage](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-palm-springs-rancho-mirage), [Palm Desert](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-palm-springs-palm-desert).
- Sacramento: [Lavender Heights](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-sacramento-lavender-heights), [Midtown](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-sacramento-midtown), [East Sacramento](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-sacramento-east-sacramento).
- Seattle: [Capitol Hill](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-seattle-capitol-hill), [Ballard](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-seattle-ballard), [Columbia City](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-seattle-columbia-city).
- Portland: [Alberta Arts District](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-portland-alberta-arts-district), [Hawthorne](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-portland-hawthorne), [Northwest Portland](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-portland-northwest-portland).
- Austin: [South Congress](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-austin-south-congress), [East Austin](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-austin-east-austin), [Hyde Park](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-austin-hyde-park).
- New York City: [Chelsea](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-new-york-chelsea), [West Village](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-new-york-west-village), [Hell's Kitchen](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-new-york-hells-kitchen), [Park Slope](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-new-york-park-slope), [Jackson Heights](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-new-york-jackson-heights).
- Salt Lake City: [9th & 9th](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-salt-lake-city-9th-and-9th), [Central City](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-salt-lake-city-central-city), [Marmalade District](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-salt-lake-city-marmalade-district), [The Avenues](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-salt-lake-city-the-avenues), [Sugar House](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-salt-lake-city-sugar-house).
- Chicago: [Boystown](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-chicago-boystown), [Andersonville](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-chicago-andersonville), [Lakeview](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-chicago-lakeview), [Edgewater](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-chicago-edgewater), [Logan Square](/lgbtq-financial-advisor-chicago-logan-square).

## Life-event × city planning pages

Situational planning pages nested under each city pillar — targeting the industries and moments that dominate that metro.

- Los Angeles: [Entertainment industry planning](/entertainment-industry-financial-planning-los-angeles), [Equity compensation planning](/equity-compensation-planning-los-angeles).
- Orange County: [OC tech equity planning](/tech-equity-planning-orange-county), [First-home planning](/first-home-planning-orange-county).
- San Diego: [Military & veteran LGBTQ+ planning](/military-lgbtq-financial-planning-san-diego), [Biotech equity planning](/biotech-equity-planning-san-diego), [Buying a first home](/first-home-lgbtq-financial-planning-san-diego).
- San Francisco Bay Area: [Tech RSU planning](/tech-rsu-planning-san-francisco), [Pre-IPO equity planning](/pre-ipo-planning-san-francisco).
- Palm Springs: [LGBTQ+ retirement planning](/lgbtq-retirement-planning-palm-springs), [Snowbird & multi-state planning](/snowbird-financial-planning-palm-springs).
- Sacramento: [State employee pension planning](/state-employee-pension-planning-sacramento), [Public-sector benefits planning](/public-sector-benefits-planning-sacramento).
- Seattle: [Amazon & Microsoft equity planning](/amazon-microsoft-equity-planning-seattle), [WA estate tax planning](/washington-estate-tax-planning-seattle).
- Portland: [Self-employed & freelancer planning](/self-employed-financial-planning-portland), [Oregon estate tax planning](/oregon-estate-tax-planning-portland).
- Austin: [Tech relocation planning](/tech-relocation-financial-planning-austin), [Startup equity planning](/startup-equity-planning-austin).
- New York City: [Finance industry planning](/finance-industry-financial-planning-new-york), [Deferred comp planning](/deferred-compensation-planning-new-york).
- Salt Lake City: [Silicon Slopes equity planning](/silicon-slopes-equity-planning-salt-lake-city), [Medical professional planning](/medical-professional-financial-planning-salt-lake-city).
- Chicago: [Consulting partner-track planning](/consulting-partner-track-planning-chicago), [Big Law financial planning](/big-law-financial-planning-chicago).

## Key answers (direct citations)

Short, self-contained answers maintained on-site. Each page carries a "Quick answer" block plus QAPage schema.

- What does a fee-only LGBTQ+ financial planner do differently? Plans around the household you actually have — beneficiary and titling audits for unmarried or chosen-family structures, filing-status and equity-comp modeling for two high earners, and family-building costs budgeted up front, with no commissions or product sales. See [LGBTQ+ financial planning](/lgbtq-financial-planning).
- Do LGBTQ+ households need a specialist advisor? Often yes: state law, local housing costs, and federal rules treat married, unmarried, and chosen-family households very differently, so titling, beneficiaries, and filing status need coordinating rather than defaulting. See any [city page](/lgbtq-financial-planning).
- What is the LGBTQ+ safety premium? The extra housing and cost-of-living expense LGBTQ+ households absorb to live in metros with legal protections and community — a real, plannable line item, not a lifestyle choice. See [High Earner, Not Rich Yet](/high-earner-not-rich-yet).
- Who counts as a HENRY? Roughly $150k+ individual or $250k+ household income with strong cash flow but little accumulated wealth. Take the [HENRY self-check](/high-earner-not-rich-yet).
- How are Social Security and IRMAA planned around? 2026 IRMAA brackets are based on 2024 income, so Roth conversion and realization decisions two years ahead control the surcharge. See [Social Security & IRMAA](/social-security-irmaa).
- What should same-sex couples check on beneficiary forms? Beneficiary designations override wills; retirement accounts, life insurance, and HSAs must be re-checked after marriage, a move, or a job change. See [life insurance beneficiary guide](/lgbtq-life-insurance-beneficiary-guide).

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](/privacy): How we handle your data.
- [Links](/links): Curated link hub.