Trail Financial Planning provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, selecting other managers, and educational seminars. Financial planning was provided to 101–250 clients last fiscal year.
Trail Financial Planning reports 157 clients. They include 105 individual clients and 52 high-net-worth individuals. Of its assets, 100.0% ($117M across 606 accounts) are managed with discretion. It advised 42 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 67% | 38% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 33% | 62% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 105 | $45M | 38.3% | $428K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 52 | $72.4M | 61.7% | $1.39M |
| Total | 157 | $117M | 100% | $747K |
- Clients
- 105
- Regulatory AUM
- $45M
- AUM share
- 38.3%
- Avg. per client
- $428K
- Clients
- 52
- Regulatory AUM
- $72.4M
- AUM share
- 61.7%
- Avg. per client
- $1.39M
Total
- Clients
- 157
- Regulatory AUM
- $117M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $747K
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 42
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 101–250
Trail Financial Planning is paid through a percentage of assets under management and hourly charges. The reviewed brochures do not disclose an asset-based fee rate. Read the SEC-filed brochure. The brochure also prices 2 other services, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Hourly fee model
- Services under the hourly fee model are billed by time at $300 an hour, and fees may be negotiable.
- Initial planning fee
- The one-time initial planning fee for comprehensive financial planning is $3,000 to $5,000, depending on complexity.
John Chesbrough owns 75% or more of Trail Financial Planning. The leadership team of Trail Financial Planning includes Chief Compliance Officer John Chesbrough. It has 4 employees, 3 of them in advisory roles.
Staff
- 4 employees
- 3 in advisory functions
- 3 state-registered reps
- Owns 75% or more of Trail Financial Planning LLC
John Chesbrough
Control person · since April 2017
- Owns 10% to 25% of Trail Financial Planning LLC
Elizabeth Snyder
Control person · since April 2017
Besides its headquarters, Trail Financial Planning has 2 offices (2 private residences, listed without an address), with 1 listed address in 1 state.
Washington · 1 listed address
- 214 N Commercial St., BellinghamHQ
Other business names
Trail Financial Planning has reported 2 other business names to the SEC.
- Trail Financial LLC
- Trail Financial Planning, LLC
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Trail Financial Planning LLC
- Headquarters
- 214 N Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
- Website
- trailfp.com
- Phone
- 360-399-6486
- SEC file
- 801-135022
- Structure
- Washington LLC
- Fiscal year end
- December
Trail Financial Planning’s named custodian for separately managed accounts is Altruist ($116M). Trail Financial Planning does not have custody of client assets.
- AltruistAltruist Financial LLC · Culver City, CA · $116M100%
At year end, Trail Financial Planning’s separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (91%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks8%
- Funds91%
- Bonds1%
- Cash1%
How many clients does Trail Financial Planning have?
Trail Financial Planning has 157 clients and manages $117 million for them, as of March 2026. They include 105 individual clients and 52 high-net-worth individuals.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 11 March 2026
What services does Trail Financial Planning offer?
Trail Financial Planning provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, selecting other managers, and educational seminars.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Which custodians does Trail Financial Planning use?
Trail Financial Planning’s separately managed account assets are held at Altruist Financial LLC (Culver City, CA), with $116M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 11 March 2026
How many financial advisors does Trail Financial Planning have?
Trail Financial Planning has 3 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 4 employees, and 3 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 Trail Financial Planning invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Trail Financial Planning’s separately managed accounts held 91% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 8% exchange-traded equities, 1% investment grade corporate bonds and 1% cash and equivalents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Trail Financial Planning?
Trail Financial Planning’s direct owners are Elizabeth Snyder (10% to 25%) and John Chesbrough (75% or more).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 11 March 2026
How does Trail Financial Planning get paid?
Trail Financial Planning is paid through a percentage of assets under management and hourly charges. 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 Trail Financial Planning?
Trail Financial Planning’s main office is at 214 N Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225. Its phone number is 360-399-6486. Its website is trailfp.com.
