FAQ

John L. Farmer, AIF® - Prescott, Arizona is a Financial Advisor specializing in retirement income planning, wealth transfer, and charitable giving strategies for retirees and affluent families.

Granite Mountain Wealth is an independent financial services practice based in downtown Prescott, Arizona. We work primarily with retirees and near-retirees who want to simplify their financial lives, reduce unnecessary taxes, and build a lasting legacy. Our clients tend to value clear, plain-language guidance — not jargon — and want an advisor who acts in their interest, not a commission interest.

Yes. As an AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) credentialed advisor, John L. Farmer is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. That means no hidden commissions, no product quotas, and no conflicts of interest. You get advice that's designed around your goals.

A fiduciary is an advisor who is legally required to put your interests ahead of their own — at all times, not just some of the time. This is a higher standard than the "suitability" standard that applies to many brokers, who only need to recommend products that are "suitable" for you, even if better or lower-cost options exist. At Granite Mountain Wealth, the fiduciary standard isn't a marketing claim — it's a legal obligation backed by the AIF® credential. John Farmer is a registered investment advisor representative. When you work with a fiduciary, you can ask "are you getting paid to recommend this?" and expect a straight answer.

We offer comprehensive financial planning with a focus on investment management, tax-efficient strategies, wealth transfer, and charitable giving. We have particular depth in Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) — two powerful tools for clients who want to reduce taxes while creating a meaningful philanthropic legacy. We also work closely with your CPA and estate attorney so your plan fits together from every angle.

We operate on a fee-based model, which keeps our interests aligned with yours. We don't earn commissions for selling products, so our recommendations are driven by what's actually right for your situation. Specific fee information is provided during your initial consultation once we understand the scope of work involved.

The first step is a no-pressure introductory conversation where we learn about your situation, your goals, and whether we're a good fit for each other. From there, we move into a discovery process to understand your full financial picture before we ever make a recommendation. You can reach us through the contact form on this site or by calling our Prescott office directly.

A rough sense of your goals is more valuable than a stack of documents — though if you have recent account statements, a Social Security estimate, or an existing estate plan, those are helpful to have on hand. We'll walk you through exactly what we need during the onboarding process. The most important thing is simply showing up with your questions.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is an account you fund with a tax-deductible contribution today and then use to recommend grants to charities over time — on your schedule. It's especially effective for clients who have a high-income year, hold appreciated assets, or want to build a giving strategy that outlasts their own lifetime. We help clients evaluate whether a DAF, a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), or a combination of strategies fits their goals.

A Charitable Remainder Trust is an irrevocable trust that provides you (and sometimes your heirs) with income for a period of years or for life, with the remaining assets going to one or more charities at the end of the trust term. CRTs can reduce capital gains taxes on appreciated assets, generate an income stream in retirement, and create a meaningful charitable legacy — often all at once. We'll help you determine whether a CRT makes sense given your assets, goals, and timeline