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Fiduciary, always
We are legally and practically on your side of the table — fee-only, no commissions, no affiliated products.
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About Us
Advice your family can build on.
A fee-only practice since 1998 — planning first, portfolios second, and no commissions anywhere in the building.
“Planning first. Portfolios second.”
The sentence James opened the firm with in 1998 — still taped inside every plan binder we deliver.
Our Story
A desk, a conviction, and 27 years of follow-through.
James Sterling left a brokerage in 1998 convinced families deserved advice that wasn't really sales. He started a fee-only practice with one desk, one rule — never earn a dollar the client can't see — and a waiting list that built itself.
Today Sterling Wealth serves 480+ households across 31 states, led by three partner-advisors and a client team that answers the phone.
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1998 — A desk and a conviction
James opens a fee-only practice after five years at a brokerage.
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2008 — Steady in the storm
Not one client panic-sold at the bottom. Written plans held; rebalancing bought low.
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2019 — The next generation
Priya and Marcus join as partners; tax and legacy practices formalized.
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Today — 480+ households
Families across 31 states, many now introducing their adult children.
What We Believe
Three rules run this firm.
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Plain language
If a strategy can't be explained at your kitchen table, it doesn't go in your plan. Jargon stays in the drawer.
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Evidence over headlines
Diversified, low-cost, rebalanced. Boring on purpose — because boring is what compounds for decades.
People You Will Talk To
Advisors, not salespeople.
Every lead advisor holds the CFP® mark. You'll know all of us by first name within a month.
James Sterling, CFP®
Founder & Lead Advisor
27 years guiding families through retirements, recessions, and windfalls. Leads retirement-income and estate coordination.
Priya Nair, CFP®, CPA
Tax & Executive Planning
Former Big Four tax manager. Owns equity-comp strategy, Roth modeling, and business-owner exits.
Marcus Bell, CFP®
Legacy & Income Planning
Designs withdrawal sequences that survive bad decades and estate plans children can actually execute.
Sofia Ramirez
Client Experience Lead
Runs onboarding, scheduling, and the one-business-day reply rule. The voice you'll hear first — and most.
Get Started
Meet us before you need us.
A free 30-minute call. We'll tell you honestly if we're not the right firm.