Fee-conscious, fiduciary-minded planning for families across Virginia & beyond
Start a Conversation

Working Together

Your Experience at Allegia

No pitch. Just a clear walkthrough of what actually happens when you work with Allegia — from the first phone call to years down the road.
  • Home
  • /
  • Trusted Outside Professionals
  • /
  • Realtor

Every firm’s website has a page about why they’re different. This page answers a more useful question: what is it actually like to be a client here?

Below is the path every Allegia client walks — what happens at each step, what it asks of you, and honest answers to the questions people usually want to ask before they pick up the phone.

Step by Step

The path from first call to lifelong plan

You’ll always know where you are in the process and what comes next. Here’s the whole journey, start to finish.

01

A short introductory call

About 30 minutes, by phone or video. We learn what prompted you to reach out; you learn how we work and what it costs. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so — and point you in a better direction if we can.
What to prepare: nothing. No documents, no commitment.

02

The discovery meeting

This is where we go deep — not just on your accounts, but on your family, your goals, your worries, and what life should look like ten years from now. The numbers matter, but they come second.
Helpful to bring: recent investment statements, last year’s tax return, retirement account details, and any insurance or estate documents you have handy.

03

We build your Family Financial Plan

We analyze how everything you own works together today — investments, retirement accounts, taxes, income — and where the gaps and overlaps are. Then we write a plan around your priorities, not a product list.
Your part: answer the occasional clarifying question. We do the heavy lifting.

04

The plan presentation

We walk through your plan together in plain English: what’s working, what’s missing, what to do first, and why. You’ll leave with a clear picture of where you stand — and the plan is yours to keep, whatever you decide.
No pressure: you decide if and how you’d like to move forward.

05

Onboarding, handled for you

If you choose to work with us, we handle the paperwork and coordinate account transfers, keeping you informed at every step. You’ll also get access to AccountView, LPL Financial’s secure portal, so you can see your accounts anytime.
Timeline: most transfers complete within a few weeks; we track every item so you don’t have to.

06

An ongoing relationship

Regular reviews on a cadence we set together, proactive check-ins when markets, tax law, or your life changes, and a direct line to your advisor in between. Your plan evolves as your life does.
Between meetings: call or email anytime — you’ll never feel like you’re bothering us.

For advisors

Do what is right. Dig deeper. Build real relationships.

— Darren Colananni, Founder

Credentials

Our founder holds the following professional designations:
CFP®
ChFC®
CIMA®
CPWA®
Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck ↗.

Step by Step

The path from first call to lifelong plan

You’ll always know where you are in the process and what comes next. Here’s the whole journey, start to finish.

01

A short introductory call

About 30 minutes, by phone or video. We learn what prompted you to reach out; you learn how we work and what it costs. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so — and point you in a better direction if we can.
What to prepare: nothing. No documents, no commitment.

02

The discovery meeting

This is where we go deep — not just on your accounts, but on your family, your goals, your worries, and what life should look like ten years from now. The numbers matter, but they come second.
Helpful to bring: recent investment statements, last year’s tax return, retirement account details, and any insurance or estate documents you have handy.

03

We build your Family Financial Plan

We analyze how everything you own works together today — investments, retirement accounts, taxes, income — and where the gaps and overlaps are. Then we write a plan around your priorities, not a product list.
Your part: answer the occasional clarifying question. We do the heavy lifting.

04

The plan presentation

We walk through your plan together in plain English: what’s working, what’s missing, what to do first, and why. You’ll leave with a clear picture of where you stand — and the plan is yours to keep, whatever you decide.
No pressure: you decide if and how you’d like to move forward.

05

Onboarding, handled for you

If you choose to work with us, we handle the paperwork and coordinate account transfers, keeping you informed at every step. You’ll also get access to AccountView, LPL Financial’s secure portal, so you can see your accounts anytime.
Timeline: most transfers complete within a few weeks; we track every item so you don’t have to.

06

An ongoing relationship

Regular reviews on a cadence we set together, proactive check-ins when markets, tax law, or your life changes, and a direct line to your advisor in between. Your plan evolves as your life does.
Between meetings: call or email anytime — you’ll never feel like you’re bothering us.

A Two-Way Relationship

What we expect of each other

Good planning is a partnership. Here’s our end of the deal — and what makes the relationship work from yours.

What you can expect from us

Straight answers in plain English — no jargon, no dodging the question.

Advice driven by your best interest, documented in a written plan.

Transparency about how we're compensated, before you commit to anything.

Proactive contact when something changes — not just at review time.

A relationship with a person, not a call center.

What we'll ask of you

Openness about your full financial picture — the plan is only as good as what it sees.

Honesty about your goals and worries, even when they're hard to put into words.

Timely responses on paperwork so nothing stalls.

A heads-up when life changes — new job, new grandchild, new plans.

Honest Answers

Questions you probably have

The things people usually want to know before the first call — answered plainly.

How are you compensated?

We’re fee-conscious by design, and we believe you should never have to guess how your advisor gets paid. In our first conversation we’ll walk you through exactly how we’re compensated for your situation, and you’ll see it in writing before you commit to anything.
No. Your plan looks at your whole financial picture, including accounts we don’t manage. If consolidating makes sense for you, we’ll explain why. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too.
We set a review cadence together based on your situation — and beyond scheduled reviews, we reach out when markets, tax law, or your life warrants it. Between meetings, you can call or email anytime.
Allegia’s founder — a CFP® professional who also holds the ChFC®, CIMA®, and CPWA® designations. You work directly with the owner of the firm, not a rotating team or an 800 number.
Clients have 24/7 access through AccountView ↗, LPL Financial’s secure client portal — balances, positions, statements, and documents in one place. Already a client? Use the Client Login button at the top of this page.
Then don’t. The first conversation exists so you can decide with clear information, not pressure. Plenty of people talk with us, think it over, and come back when the time is right.

Step 01 Starts Here

The first conversation costs nothing but 30 minutes

No documents, no obligation — just a chance to see whether we’re the right fit for your family.
Call (201) 317-7831
Start a Conversation