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Experts in Navigating the Unknown

We'll help you transition into a new season of life with the security and stability you need to make intelligent decisions for both you and your family. Retirement, Job Change, Death in the Family, Divorce.  

At FCM Financial, we believe that while change is inevitable,
financial suffering is preventable.


We help simplify the complex challenges that accompany life's many transitions through our:

In-depth training

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, we go beyond textbook recommendations to create tailored solutions that accommodate your history, needs and goals so your financial health is protected from the unexpected.

First-hand experience

We have personally worked through many significant life challenges ourselves, enabling us to deliver proactive advice that stems from both our own experience, as well as industry standards. We then combine this insight to design a strategy with your best interests at the forefront.

Family-focused approach

Every family has a unique history, story and situation. That’s why we like to get to know each family — to help make sure your family’s wishes are secured, regardless of any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

How Can We Help You?

I’m About to Retire
I’ve Had a Death in the Family
I’m Getting Divorced
I’m Changing Jobs

Your Partners Through the Unpredictable

While retirement planning and divorce planning have always been my focus, my knowledge in financial planning after a death in the family came naturally after I experienced first-hand the many decisions and challenges involved in such a devastating, life-changing event.

I experienced not one, but two, traumatic deaths in my family. Both of these deaths came with their own unique responsibilities: one required transitioning an estate from a joint estate to an individual estate, while the other involved helping a mother and children transition after their father’s death.

Neither of these experiences were easy to endure and navigate on my own, but they did provide me with invaluable insight into the steps each family must take to secure their family’s future, as well as their loved one’s legacy.

Have you recently experienced a death in your family?

Dennis De Kok, CFP®, CDFA Photo

Dennis De Kok, CFP®, CDFA

Founder & CEO

 

Check the background of this advisor on BrokerCheck

Since 1997, I’ve helped individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds navigate complex financial situations and decisions. Beyond securing futures, I enjoy getting to know each of my clients individually, creating personalized solutions to achieve the family's goals and overcome any challenges so they can live their life with less stress and worry about their financial future.

As a comprehensive financial planner, I look at every aspect of your financial picture — both personal and professional — to guide you in the right direction and deliver recommendations that offer potential long-term value and benefits.

My CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designations have provided me with in-depth training and insight that I hope to pass on to all of my clients. More than a job, my practice enables me to make a genuine difference in people’s lives, bridging the gap between industry knowledge and personal experience to create a financial plan that grows and evolves as your life does.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan (where I currently reside), I obtained my bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University.

Amy Dzierzyc Photo

Amy Dzierzyc

Administrative Assistant


Shortly after September 11, 2001, I enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard, where I served 12 years in the Transportation Corps before being honorably discharged. From 2003 to 2005, I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq War), where I later received the Army Accommodation Medal for my services. During this time, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from Davenport University.

During the six plus years I spent as a paralegal, I learned the many intricacies behind the Kent County Family Court’s rules and procedures. With extensive knowledge and experience in collaborative divorce, I later transitioned into the financial industry,  eventually leaving the legal field to join FCM Financial.

As Dennis’s assistant, I help manage client requests and needs, ensure high-quality delivery of our services and schedule meetings. Our clients’ resource for any questions and concerns they may have, I help maintain our processes and organization so there is a streamlined experienced across all of our services.

Providing a Clear Path
During complicated times.

With every new client, we follow a general outline of next steps to help make sure every minute you spend with us offers value and insight into how to successfully navigate your retirement, a death in the family or divorce from your spouse.

Here’s what you need to know about working with us:

Everything we do is collaborative

In addition to getting to know you and your family, we also team up with your attorneys, CPAs, insurance agents and more to ensure our recommendations align with your broader financial picture.

We educate just as much as we inform

After we deliver our recommendations, we’ll discuss the rationale behind every decision so you understand the implications of every next step and are prepared for any shift in circumstances.

Our main goal: be proactive, not reactive

As tax, estate and social security laws change, we’ll make adjustments to your plan to prevent unwanted consequences and mistakes from diminishing your progress towards achieving your goals.


Contact Us Today

Transitions

Helping You Build the Future You Deserve

Successful retirement planning involves several aspects of financial planning: investments, insurance and taxes. By combining all of these services under one roof, we’re able to turn a lofty vision into a clear, concise roadmap for your post-employment needs and dreams.

Secure your retirement with our comprehensive financial planning services:

Retirement Planning

We’ll dive deep into the details of your financial situation to help you make the smartest decisions for your future.

What's Included

Investment Management 

Based on the Modern Portfolio Theory, our investment approach involves diversification to control the overall risk of your portfolio.

What's Included

Risk Management

Look forward to your retirement with customized insurance solutions that accommodate your current and future needs.

What's Included

Tax Management

Avoid unnecessary payments and pitfalls with proactive tax strategies that help minimize expenses and maximize your return.

What's Included

Transforming Chaos into a Clear Vision

There’s no doubt about it: switching jobs is a stressful event for anyone — whether you’re right out of college or have been in the workforce for years. At FCM Financial, we’ve helped professionals from various industries navigate this significant life transition with ease, confidence and clarity.

As transition experts, we understand the implications tied to every major life event, enabling us to evaluate all sides of the situation to help make sure nothing falls through the cracks. While you focus on making a good first impression, we’ll handle the details of your financial picture so your new role does not adversely affect your financial health, or your progress towards reaching your goals.

If you’ve recently changed jobs, we can help you: 

Consolidate Your Accounts

This way, everything you need will all be in one place — one login, one dashboard and one simple way to review and track your finances.

Enhance Your Portfolio

We can help diversify and optimize your portfolio with access to more investments that suit your unique needs, goals, risk tolerance and timeframe.

Review Retirement Plans

If you’re transitioning your 401k to your new company, we can help make sure everything goes smoothly and you’re aware of any changes to your benefits.


And more

We’ll be here to help guide you every step of the way so you make the smartest decisions for your future.


Move Forward with Confidence

Guiding You Through the Grief

The death of a loved one can lead to many unwanted consequences, especially in regards to finances.

Through it all, we are your dedicated partner and advisor — committed to protecting you from further distress and disarray so you can focus less on stress, and more on celebrating your family member’s legacy.

Our estate planning services include:

Estate Planning and Implementation

After thorough evaluation, we’ll work with your attorney to implement your estate plan. 

Estate Distribution

We’ll work with your chosen executors and trustees to help distribute your estate as smoothly as possible. 

Trust Fund Management

We’ll help prevent family tension, clarify any confusion and guide the fund’s overall distribution.

Estate Tax Funding Strategies

Avoid making detrimental mistakes after their passing with tailored strategies that offer more than one way to pay your dues.

Unique Gifting Strategies

Enjoy personalized recommendations to gift their wealth that will help make sure every dollar ends up in the right hands.

Secure Their Legacy

Navigating Your Next Chapter, Together

We help both men and women work through the many complexities of the divorce process. Collaborating with your chosen industry professionals in the legal and tax fields, we’ll create a cohesive financial plan that keeps your best interests in mind so you can look forward to your new beginning.

Through it all, we are your dedicated support system, providing objective advice and guidance as you make important decisions regarding your future, and your family.

Our divorce planning services include:

  • Pre-Divorce Financial Planning
  • Post Judgment Analysis
  • Cash Flow Analysis
  • Long-Term Net-Worth Projections
  • Collaborative Financial Neutral
  • Financial Expert for Litigation
  • Guiding you through the complexities of implementing your judgement of divorce

To provide you with the highest quality of service possible, we’re also members of several divorce organizations and institutions:


Collaborative Practice Institute of West Michigan


Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan


International Association of Collaborative Professionals


Prism


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Your Advocate. Partner. Support System.

Through life’s many transitions.

Whether you’re preparing for your retirement, navigating the death of a loved one, in the midst of a divorce or changing a job, our comprehensive financial planning services can help you make the smartest decisions for both you and your family.



Check the background of this firm/advisor on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
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