Merrithew & Thorsten provides financial planning and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses. Financial planning was provided to 101–250 clients last fiscal year.
Merrithew & Thorsten reports 125 clients. They include 71 individual clients and 54 high-net-worth individuals. Of its assets, 100.0% ($155M across 372 accounts) are managed with discretion.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 57% | 19% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 43% | 81% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 71 | $29.9M | 19.3% | $421K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 54 | $125M | 80.7% | $2.32M |
| Total | 125 | $155M | 100% | $1.24M |
- Clients
- 71
- Regulatory AUM
- $29.9M
- AUM share
- 19.3%
- Avg. per client
- $421K
- Clients
- 54
- Regulatory AUM
- $125M
- AUM share
- 80.7%
- Avg. per client
- $2.32M
Total
- Clients
- 125
- Regulatory AUM
- $155M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $1.24M
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 101–250
Merrithew & Thorsten charges 0.50%–1.00% a year for its Asset Management Agreement. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $1,000,000. The brochure also prices 2 other services, listed under fee details.
| Asset band | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| $0–$1M | 1.00% |
| $1M–$2M | 0.75% |
| $2M and above | 0.50% |
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Financial planning retainer
- Comprehensive financial planning is a flat retainer, generally $5,000 to $6,000, with half due on signing and the balance billed in six months.
- Plan asset billing
- Assets in 401(k), 401(a), 403(b) and deferred compensation plans outside SSG are billed at one half of the above rates unless a new plan set-up is involved.
Leslie Merrithew owns 50% to 75% of Merrithew & Thorsten. The leadership team of Merrithew & Thorsten includes Chief Compliance Officer Brandon Thorsten. It has 2 employees.
Staff
- 2 employees
- 2 in advisory functions
- 2 state-registered reps
- Owns 50% to 75% of Merrithew & Thorsten, Inc.
Leslie Merrithew
Control person · since January 2001
- Owns 50% to 75% of Merrithew & Thorsten, Inc.
Brandon Thorsten
Control person · since January 2001
Merrithew & Thorsten’s regulatory assets grew from $119M (April 2021) to $155M (February 2026); clients fell from 132 to 125 and employees were 2 in both filings.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | StaffEmployees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026February 2026 | $155M | 125 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan 2025January 2025 | $146M | 127 | 2 | 1 |
| Feb 2024February 2024 | $127M | 117 | 2 | 1 |
| Feb 2023February 2023 | $114M | 128 | 2 | 1 |
| Jun 2022June 2022 | $150M | 135 | 2 | 1 |
| Apr 2021April 2021 | $119M | 132 | 2 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Merrithew & Thorsten has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in 1 state.
California · 1 listed address
- 9820 Willow Creek Road, Suite 200, San DiegoHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Merrithew & Thorsten, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 9820 Willow Creek Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92131
- Website
- fee-only-planner.com
- Phone
- 858-547-1845
- SEC file
- 801-121274
- Structure
- California corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Merrithew & Thorsten’s named custodians for separately managed accounts are Altruist ($150M, 97%) and Pershing ($5M, 3%). Merrithew & Thorsten does not have custody of client assets.
- PershingPershing LLC · Jersey City, NJ · $5M3%
- AltruistAltruist Financial LLC · Culver City, CA · $150M97%
At year end, Merrithew & Thorsten’s separately managed accounts were mostly in stocks (75%) and funds (23%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $117K across 116 positions; the largest are Vanguard Index Fds (25.0%), Invesco Qqq TR (17.7%) and Pimco Corporate & Income Opp (15.3%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks75%
- Funds23%
- Cash2%
How many clients does Merrithew & Thorsten have?
Merrithew & Thorsten has 125 clients and manages $155 million for them, as of February 2026. They include 71 individual clients and 54 high-net-worth individuals.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 10 February 2026
What services does Merrithew & Thorsten offer?
Merrithew & Thorsten provides financial planning and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How much does Merrithew & Thorsten charge?
Merrithew & Thorsten charges 0.50%–1.00% a year for its Asset Management Agreement. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $1,000,000.
Which custodians does Merrithew & Thorsten use?
Merrithew & Thorsten’s separately managed account assets are held at Altruist Financial LLC (Culver City, CA), with $150M and Pershing LLC (Jersey City, NJ), with $5M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 10 February 2026
How many financial advisors does Merrithew & Thorsten have?
Merrithew & Thorsten has 2 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 2 employees, and 2 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Merrithew & Thorsten invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Merrithew & Thorsten’s separately managed accounts held 75% exchange-traded equities, 23% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs) and 2% cash and equivalents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Does Merrithew & Thorsten have a minimum investment?
Yes, Merrithew & Thorsten’s minimum account size for its Asset Management Agreement is $1M.
Who owns Merrithew & Thorsten?
Merrithew & Thorsten’s direct owners are Leslie Merrithew (50% to 75%) and Brandon Thorsten (50% to 75%).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 10 February 2026
How does Merrithew & Thorsten get paid?
Merrithew & Thorsten is paid through a percentage of assets under management and other compensation. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Merrithew & Thorsten?
Merrithew & Thorsten’s main office is at 9820 Willow Creek Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92131. Its phone number is 858-547-1845. Its website is fee-only-planner.com.
