{
  "crd_number": 106651,
  "slug": "essential-planning-llc-portsmouth-nh-106651",
  "primary_business_name": "ESSENTIAL PLANNING, LLC",
  "legal_name": "ESSENTIAL PLANNING, LLC",
  "dbas": [],
  "city": "Portsmouth",
  "state": "NH",
  "country": "United States",
  "cbsa_code": "14460",
  "metro": {
    "cbsa_code": "14460",
    "common_name": "Boston",
    "msa_name": "Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH",
    "path": "/advisors/ma/boston"
  },
  "registration_type": "sec",
  "registration_status": "Approved",
  "registration_date": "1996-03-15",
  "years_registered": 30,
  "period": "2026-10-01",
  "filing_date": "2026-03-23",
  "carried_forward": false,
  "raum_total": 524444621.0,
  "raum_discretionary": 524444621.0,
  "raum_non_discretionary": 0.0,
  "raum_band": "500m_1b",
  "raum_band_label": "$500 million to $1 billion",
  "total_employees": 11,
  "advisory_employees": 3,
  "client_count_bucket": null,
  "clients_by_type": {
    "other": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "charitable": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "individuals": {
      "raum": 184959493.0,
      "count": 410
    },
    "banking_thrift": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "state_municipal": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "insurance_companies": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "investment_companies": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "pension_profit_sharing": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "other_investment_advisers": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "high_net_worth_individuals": {
      "raum": 339485128.0,
      "count": 163
    },
    "pooled_investment_vehicles": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "corporations_other_businesses": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "business_development_companies": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    },
    "sovereign_wealth_foreign_official": {
      "raum": null,
      "count": 0
    }
  },
  "compensation_types": [
    "fixed",
    "hourly",
    "percentage_of_aum"
  ],
  "advisory_activities": [
    "financial_planning",
    "portfolio_management_individuals",
    "selection_of_other_advisers"
  ],
  "wrap_fee_participant": false,
  "disclosure_yes_count": 5,
  "states_registered": [
    "CA",
    "FL",
    "LA",
    "MA",
    "ME",
    "NH",
    "NY",
    "TX",
    "VT"
  ],
  "websites": [
    "https://essential-planning.com",
    "https://linkedin.com/company/essential-planning-llc",
    "https://youtube.com/channel/UCrmaLo-402ZC6HeDiugm6bA"
  ],
  "iapd_url": "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/106651",
  "disclosure_items": [
    {
      "item": "11.D(3)",
      "question": "Has another federal regulator, a state regulator, or a foreign financial regulator ever found that the firm or an advisory affiliate was a cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted?"
    },
    {
      "item": "11.E(1)",
      "question": "Has a self-regulatory organization (such as FINRA) or a commodities exchange ever found that the firm or an advisory affiliate made a false statement or omission?"
    },
    {
      "item": "11.E(2)",
      "question": "Has a self-regulatory organization or a commodities exchange ever found that the firm or an advisory affiliate was involved in a violation of its rules, other than a minor rule violation under a plan the SEC approved?"
    },
    {
      "item": "11.E(3)",
      "question": "Has a self-regulatory organization or a commodities exchange ever found that the firm or an advisory affiliate was the cause of an investment-related business having its authorization to do business denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted?"
    },
    {
      "item": "11.E(4)",
      "question": "Has a self-regulatory organization or a commodities exchange ever disciplined the firm or an advisory affiliate by expelling or suspending it from membership, barring or suspending it from association with other members, or otherwise restricting its activities?"
    }
  ],
  "city_as_filed": "PORTSMOUTH",
  "url": "https://advisorcensus.com/firm/essential-planning-llc-portsmouth-nh-106651",
  "display_name": "Essential Planning, LLC",
  "summary": "Essential Planning, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in Portsmouth, NH, registered since 1996, reporting $500 million to $1 billion in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated March 23, 2026.",
  "citation": "AdvisorCensus. Essential Planning, LLC (CRD 106651): Form ADV filing data as of October 2026.",
  "registration_type_label": "SEC-registered investment adviser",
  "compensation_labels": [
    "A percentage of assets under your management",
    "Hourly charges",
    "Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)"
  ],
  "advisory_activity_labels": [
    "Financial planning services",
    "Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses",
    "Selection of other advisers (including private fund managers)"
  ],
  "quick_answers": [
    {
      "q": "How is Essential Planning, LLC compensated?",
      "a": "On its Form ADV (Item 5.E, October 2026), Essential Planning, LLC reports these compensation arrangements: a percentage of assets under its management; hourly charges; fixed fees (other than subscription fees)."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does Essential Planning, LLC's brochure say about its fees?",
      "a": "Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated March 23, 2026 states: Asset-based fee: 0.6% to 1.25% a year (a range, as the brochure states it). Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable; the brochure is the complete statement."
    },
    {
      "q": "Where is Essential Planning, LLC located?",
      "a": "Essential Planning, LLC's principal office is in Portsmouth, NH, according to its Form ADV; the April 2026 filing also lists 1 other office (Schedule D, Section 1.F)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is Essential Planning, LLC registered with the SEC or a state?",
      "a": "Essential Planning, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, registered since 1996. Status as filed: Approved. CRD 106651."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does Essential Planning, LLC manage?",
      "a": "Essential Planning, LLC reports $524,444,621 in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated March 23, 2026 (100% discretionary)."
    },
    {
      "q": "How have Essential Planning, LLC's assets and staff changed since 2021?",
      "a": "In the Form ADV data for Essential Planning, LLC: Regulatory assets under management: $275,391,880 in the October 2021 data and $524,444,621 in the October 2026 data, up 90%. Total employees: 7 in October 2021 and 11 in October 2026. Assets under management move with markets as well as with clients coming and going."
    },
    {
      "q": "What types of clients does Essential Planning, LLC serve?",
      "a": "By number of clients on Form ADV Item 5.D: individuals (other than high net worth individuals) (410); high net worth individuals (163)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which custodians does Essential Planning, LLC use?",
      "a": "Essential Planning, LLC's most recent Form ADV filing (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)) lists Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as a custodian holding 10% or more of its separately managed account assets."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does Essential Planning, LLC report any disciplinary disclosures?",
      "a": "Reports 5 disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11: yes answers to 11.D(3) (another regulator's finding of causing a business's authorization to be denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted), 11.E(1) (self-regulatory organization's finding of a false statement or omission), 11.E(2) (self-regulatory organization's finding of a rule violation), 11.E(3) (self-regulatory organization's finding of causing a business's authorization to be denied, suspended, revoked, or restricted), and 11.E(4) (self-regulatory organization's expulsion, suspension, bar, or restriction). Each question covers the firm and its advisory affiliates, and one event can produce several yes answers. The detail of any item is on the firm's SEC record: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/106651"
    },
    {
      "q": "What changed in Essential Planning, LLC's recent Form ADV filings?",
      "a": "In the April 2026 filing data: Regulatory assets under management went from $439,657,003 to $524,444,621 (+19%). Registered or notice-filed in CA, LA, NY."
    }
  ],
  "filing_history": [
    {
      "period": "2021-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 275391880.0,
      "total_employees": 7,
      "filing_date": "2021-07-21"
    },
    {
      "period": "2022-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 332578207.0,
      "total_employees": 7,
      "filing_date": "2022-04-27"
    },
    {
      "period": "2023-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 310367487.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2023-03-31"
    },
    {
      "period": "2024-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 378634000.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2024-03-31"
    },
    {
      "period": "2025-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 439657003.0,
      "total_employees": 11,
      "filing_date": "2025-03-06"
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 524444621.0,
      "total_employees": 11,
      "filing_date": "2026-03-23"
    }
  ],
  "recent_changes": [
    {
      "period": "2026-04-01",
      "period_label": "April 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Regulatory assets under management went from $439,657,003 to $524,444,621 (+19%).",
        "Registered or notice-filed in CA, LA, NY."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "fees_from_brochure": {
    "source": "Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated March 23, 2026",
    "tiers": [],
    "flat_rate": null,
    "stated_range": "0.6% to 1.25% a year",
    "stated_maximum": null,
    "account_minimum": null,
    "account_minimum_may_be_waived": false,
    "minimum_annual_fee": null,
    "figures": [
      {
        "label": "Asset-based fee",
        "statements": [
          "Asset-based fee: 0.6% to 1.25% a year (a range, as the brochure states it)"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "The monthly fixed fee component will generally range from $125 to $725 and the percentage of assets under management fee component will generally range from 0.6% to 1.25% per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears, based upon the market value of the assets on the last day of the previous quarter."
        ]
      }
    ],
    "quotes": [
      "The monthly fixed fee component will generally range from $125 to $725 and the percentage of assets under management fee component will generally range from 0.6% to 1.25% per annum, payable quarterly, in arrears, based upon the market value of the assets on the last day of the previous quarter."
    ],
    "note": "As stated in the firm's brochure; fees can differ by service and may be negotiable."
  },
  "custodians": [
    {
      "name": "Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.",
      "name_as_filed": "CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.",
      "affiliated": false
    }
  ],
  "custodians_note": "Custodians holding 10% or more of the firm's separately managed account assets, as filed on Form ADV (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)). A custodian holds client assets; it does not endorse or supervise the firm. AdvisorCensus has no relationship with any custodian.",
  "markdown_url": "https://advisorcensus.com/firm/essential-planning-llc-portsmouth-nh-106651.md",
  "clients": [
    {
      "type": "individuals",
      "label": "Individuals (other than high net worth individuals)",
      "count": 410,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 184959493.0
    },
    {
      "type": "high_net_worth_individuals",
      "label": "High net worth individuals",
      "count": 163,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 339485128.0
    },
    {
      "type": "banking_thrift",
      "label": "Banking or thrift institutions",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "investment_companies",
      "label": "Investment companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "business_development_companies",
      "label": "Business development companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "pooled_investment_vehicles",
      "label": "Pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies and business development companies)",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "pension_profit_sharing",
      "label": "Pension and profit sharing plans (but not the plan participants or government pension plans)",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "charitable",
      "label": "Charitable organizations",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "state_municipal",
      "label": "State or municipal government entities (including government pension plans)",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "other_investment_advisers",
      "label": "Other investment advisers",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "insurance_companies",
      "label": "Insurance companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "sovereign_wealth_foreign_official",
      "label": "Sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "corporations_other_businesses",
      "label": "Corporations or other businesses not listed above",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    },
    {
      "type": "other",
      "label": "Other",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": null
    }
  ],
  "disclosure_line": "Reports 5 disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11.",
  "indexable": true,
  "suppressed": false,
  "claimed": false,
  "enhanced": false,
  "provided_by_the_firm": null,
  "source": {
    "name": "Form ADV",
    "as_of": "2026-10-01",
    "iapd_url": "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/106651",
    "operator": "BH Monitor Services, LLC",
    "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "credit": "AdvisorCensus (advisorcensus.com), from SEC Form ADV data"
  }
}