Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to the questions we hear most. If yours isn't here, talk to an advisor.

Who is Inspire Advisors Lake Norman?

We're the Lake Norman practice of Inspire Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Our office is in Troutman, North Carolina, and we work with business owners preparing to sell, pre-retirees and retirees, and Christian families who want their investments to reflect their faith. We meet in person on Lake Norman or virtually anywhere in the U.S.

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes. As an SEC-registered investment adviser, Inspire Advisors, LLC acts as a fiduciary when providing investment advice to advisory clients. That means we're required to act in your best interest and to disclose conflicts of interest. Insurance products are offered separately through licensed agents and are not covered by that fiduciary duty.

Do you only work with clients in North Carolina?

No. Many clients live around Lake Norman, Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Statesville and Charlotte, but we serve clients across the country through virtual meetings.

Are you affiliated with Inspire Financial Planning or other similarly named firms?

No. Inspire Advisors Lake Norman is a DBA of Inspire Advisors, LLC (SEC CRD #300279). We are not affiliated with Inspire Financial Planning or any other firm with a similar name. Our only website is inspireadvisorslkn.com.

What credentials does your team hold?

Our advisors hold designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) and Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP®). Ted DeLisi has served in financial services since 1987. See our team page for full bios.

How are you paid?

Advisory fees are asset-based, a percentage of the assets we manage, which gives us an incentive to recommend bringing more assets to us. Insurance is offered through separately licensed agents who may earn commissions. Any separate planning fee is stated in your agreement. Form ADV Part 2A contains the full fee schedule and conflicts of interest; Form CRS provides a summary.

Is there an account minimum?

We typically work with households that have $500,000 or more in investable assets, and with business owners approaching a sale. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you and point you to a resource that is.

Does the first meeting cost anything?

No. The introductory call is free and there's no obligation.

How do I get started?

Answer three quick questions on our Talk to an Advisor page, then pick a time on our calendar. Prefer the phone? Call (704) 508-4949, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern.

What happens in the first conversation?

We'll ask about your situation, what you're hoping to accomplish and what's worrying you. We'll explain how we work and how we're paid, and you can decide whether a second meeting makes sense.

When should I start planning to sell my business?

Ideally three to five years before a sale. That gives you time to improve the business's value and readiness, think through deal structure with your CPA and attorney, and plan how the proceeds will support your income, family and giving.

What does a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) do?

A CEPA® is trained by the Exit Planning Institute to help owners prepare for a transition. That includes understanding what the business may be worth, closing the gap between that value and what you need, and coordinating the owner's personal, financial and business goals with the rest of their advisory team.

What should I do with the money after I sell my business?

Common first steps include setting aside money for taxes due on the sale, keeping proceeds liquid while you make decisions, and building a plan for income, investments, giving and legacy before committing to anything long-term. Our article "I Sold My Business. What Should I Do With the Proceeds?" walks through each step. This is educational, not tax or legal advice.

Do you work with my CPA, attorney and business broker?

Yes. We coordinate with your CPA, attorney and M&A advisor so everyone is working from the same plan. We don't provide tax or legal advice ourselves.

What is Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI)?

BRI screens investments using biblical values. It aims to avoid companies whose products or practices conflict with those values and to favor companies that are a blessing to their customers, employees and communities. Inspire Advisors' national investment team builds these portfolios.

Does faith-based investing mean giving up returns?

Screening removes some companies from the investable universe, so a screened portfolio will perform differently from an unscreened one, sometimes better and sometimes worse. Screening involves subjective judgments, relies on information that may be incomplete or change, and does not predict investment performance.

What is a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®)?

The CKA® designation is awarded by Kingdom Advisors to financial professionals who complete training in applying biblical wisdom to financial advice and who meet experience and ethics requirements. Our team includes a CKA®.

Can my plan include charitable giving?

Yes. Depending on your situation, that may include donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs after age 70½, or gifts of appreciated assets. We coordinate with your tax professional on what fits.

When should I claim Social Security?

It depends on your health, other income, marital status and tax picture. You can claim as early as 62, and your benefit grows for each year you wait up to age 70. We model the trade-offs alongside the rest of your income plan.

Should I roll over my 401(k) when I leave my job?

You generally have four options: leave it in the old plan, move it to a new employer's plan, roll it to an IRA, or cash it out. Each has different costs, investment choices and protections. Our 401(k) rollover article compares them.

What is a Roth conversion, and should I consider one?

A Roth conversion moves money from a pre-tax account to a Roth IRA. You pay income tax on the amount now in exchange for potentially tax-free withdrawals later. It can make sense in lower-income years, such as early retirement, but it depends on your tax situation.

How do you build a retirement income plan?

We map your expected spending against Social Security, pensions, investments and other income, then plan which accounts to draw from and when, with taxes, health care costs and market downturns in mind.

Do I need a financial advisor or is a robo-advisor enough?

Robo-advisors can be a low-cost way to build a diversified portfolio. Personal advice may help when you're coordinating a business sale, planning Social Security and Roth conversions together, or aligning your investments with your faith. There's no guarantee that working with an advisor produces better results.

What should I ask before hiring a financial advisor?

Ask whether they're a fiduciary, how they're paid, what credentials they hold, who they typically serve, and how often you'll meet. You can look up any registered adviser's record on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site.

This information is educational and is not individualized investment, tax or legal advice. Investment advisory services offered through Inspire Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.