Meet Novak Financial Partners
A flat-fee, fiduciary financial planning firm. We work with professionals, families, and people approaching retirement who want a real plan, not a product.
We started our careers at large, well-known firms and saw what great financial planning could look like.
At the same time, we saw how limited it was. Most people with real financial decisions to make were either priced out or didn't meet the minimums to get that level of advice.
We later worked at a more accessible, tech-driven firm that made planning available to more people. It was a step in the right direction, but something still felt missing.
At a certain point, it became clear there was a better way to do this.
Novak Financial Partners was built to bring both sides together. A flat fee, a fiduciary structure, and a more personal, proactive approach to financial planning.
Max focuses on helping busy families design clear, personalized financial plans. Whether the goal is buying a home, funding education, or reaching financial independence, his work centers on helping clients make confident, informed decisions.
He believes great planning starts with education. By providing clarity, context, and practical guidance, he helps clients take action on what matters most.
Before co-founding Novak Financial Partners, Max earned his BS and MBA from Southern Illinois University and worked at firms including Personal Capital, Moneta, and Facet. His experience spans investment strategy, retirement planning, and ongoing relationship management with families across the country.
Originally from Carterville, Illinois, Max spent time in Denver and St. Louis before returning home. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, golfing, and cheering on Chicago sports teams.
Zach helps clients align their resources with their values so they can live more intentionally today while planning confidently for the future.
With a background in psychology and more than a decade of experience, he has worked with hundreds of households through meaningful life transitions, including career changes, home purchases, and family planning. His approach combines thoughtful strategy with a focus on building plans clients can actually stick with.
Before co-founding Novak Financial Partners, Zach earned his degree from Southern Illinois University and held roles at OppenheimerFunds, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, and Facet, where he advised hundreds of households and contributed to firm-wide planning initiatives.
Zach enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and cheering on Chicago's sports teams.
How we work
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Flat fee, no surprises. $4,000 or $6,000 per year, depending on your situation. That includes everything: financial planning, investment management, tax coordination, and ongoing access to us. The fee never changes based on how much your portfolio grows.
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Advice first, always. We are fiduciaries. We do not sell products or earn commissions. Every recommendation is based on what is right for your situation, nothing else.
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Long-term partnership. We reach out proactively, not just when you call. Quarterly reviews, year-end planning, and ongoing coordination across every part of your financial life. We work best with people who want an ongoing relationship, not a one-time transaction.
If any of this sounds like a fit, we would be glad to talk. The first call is free, no pressure, and no commitment.
Schedule your free intro call