Sullivan Mermel, Inc.

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Client assets under management

Clients

80% high-net worth

Advisors

of 2 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-3 advisors or $200M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

Low

Average account size

About

Sullivan Mermel, Inc. is a fee-only holistic financial planning firm that serves individuals and families, including high-net-worth clients, by providing comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management. The firm is small—two advisors serving roughly 50 clients—and offers services such as tax planning, retirement and estate planning, cash flow analysis, and investment recommendations.

The firm’s investment approach emphasizes diversified, generally low-cost instruments (no-load mutual funds, U.S. government bonds, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit) and constructs portfolios around each client’s tax situation, risk tolerance and goals. Sullivan Mermel generally operates on a non-discretionary basis, executing transactions only with client approval and often using a limited power of attorney to effect approved trades.

Notably, Sullivan Mermel uses a retainer-style, fee-only compensation model built from a base component plus income and marketable net worth components rather than charging a percentage-of-assets-under-management, and the firm does not accept commissions or performance-based fees. The brochure also discloses professional memberships (ACP, NAPFA, FPA), advisors’ CFP credentials with the founder also a CPA, and that clients may receive supplemental reports or commentary while the firm receives practice-related publications and custodial support services.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Newsletters or periodicals

Expertise

General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting

Fee options

Fixed

Base Fee component ranges from $875 to $2,975 based on complexity.

Percentage

$250,000 - $499,999: $2,500 fee component $500,000 - $749,999: $4,500 fee component $750,000 - $999,999: $6,500 fee component $1,000,000 - $1,249,999: $8,500 fee component $1,250,000 - $1,499,999: $10,500 fee component $1,500,000 - $1,999,999: $12,500 fee component $2,000,000 - $2,499,999: $14,000 fee component $2,500,000 - $2,999,999: $17,000 fee component $3,000,000 - $3,499,999: $18,500 fee component $3,500,000 - $3,999,999: $20,000 fee component $4,000,000 - $4,999,999: $21,500 fee component $5,000,000 - $5,999,999: $26,500 fee component $6,000,000 - $6,999,999: $30,000 fee component $7,000,000 - $7,999,999: $35,000 fee component $8,000,000 - $8,999,999: $40,000 fee component $9,000,000 - $9,999,999: $45,000 fee component $10,000,000 - $10,999,999: $50,000 fee component $11,000,000+: $55,000 fee component

Other

Minimum fee: Minimum fee for Standard Retainer is $6,000 annually. Fee-only: Standard Retainer fee is fee-only with no commissions.

Main office location

Sullivan Mermel, Inc.

3744 N. Southport Unit G

Chicago IL 60613, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Illinois

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is not active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure

Quick links

LinkedIn YouTube Website 773-404-9344

Advisors at this firm

Luke V

Series 65

Chicago, IL

Sullivan Mermel, Inc.

Luke Van De Loo is a financial advisor at Sullivan Mermel, Inc. with a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Sullivan Mermel since 2019 and previously was with Orgel Wealth Management and the St John's Catholic Newman Center. Sullivan Mermel, Inc. is a fee-only planning firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management. The firm employs a tax-aware, holistic investment approach focused on client tax situations, risk tolerance, and goals, typically recommending no-load mutual funds, U.S. government bonds, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting

Mary M

CFP®

Chicago, IL

Sullivan Mermel, Inc.

Mary Mermel is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving at Sullivan Mermel, Inc. in Chicago, IL. She has been with the firm since 1998, including its earlier iteration as Bridget Sullivan, Inc. Sullivan Mermel, Inc. is a small, fee-only planning firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management primarily for individuals and families. The firm employs a holistic, tax-aware investment approach and operates largely on a non-discretionary basis, offering services such as tax planning, retirement and estate-planning reviews, and portfolio analysis.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting

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