Overview
- Headquarters
- Newport Beach, CA
- Total Firm Assets
- $954 million
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $4.0 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $5,000,000
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.00% |
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | Below minimum client size | |
| $5 million | $50,000 | 1.00% |
| $10 million | $100,000 | 1.00% |
| $50 million | $500,000 | 1.00% |
| $100 million | $1,000,000 | 1.00% |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 88.01%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 208
- Total Client Accounts
- 731
- Discretionary Accounts
- 731
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Investment Advisor Selection
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 106079
Additional Brochure: ADV PART 2A (2026-03-26)
View Document Text
TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
Item 1
Cover Page
500 Newport Center Drive, Suite 500
Newport Beach, CA 92660
www.tarboxgroup.com
ADV Part 2A, Brochure
March 26, 2026
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Tarbox
Family Office, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
us at (949) 721-2330, or email mary@tarboxgroup.com. The information in this brochure has not
been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any
state securities authority.
Additional information about Tarbox Family Office, Inc. also is available on the SEC’s website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
We are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which does not imply a certain
level of skill or training. The oral and written communications we provide to you, including this
Brochure, is information you may use in your decision to hire us or continue a professional
relationship with us.
Our Chief Compliance Officer, Mary Sigler, is available to discuss this Brochure or any
conflicts of interest addressed.
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
Item 2
Material Changes
There have been no material changes to this ADV Part 2A Brochure since the previous annual updating
amendment filing on March 29, 2025.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Chief Compliance Officer, Mary Sigler, is available to discuss any questions
about this Brochure, any conflicts of interest presented, or any questions about Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s
services.
Item 3
Table of Contents
Item 1 Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................ 3
Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................ 8
Item 5
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .......................................................... 10
Item 6
Item 7
Types of Clients ......................................................................................................................... 10
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ................................................... 10
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................ 16
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .................................................................. 16
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading.............. 16
Item 12 Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 17
Item 13 Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 20
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................. 20
Item 15 Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 21
Item 16
Item 17 Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 21
Item 18 Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 22
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
Item 4
Advisory Business
A. History of the firm; ownership of the firm.
Laura Tarbox began her career in the advisory business in 1980 with a boutique investment firm in Tustin,
California, which was affiliated with a large independent broker/dealer. Although she found the world of
investments to be very compelling, the industry culture of day trading stocks, pitching the latest
investments, and cold calling for new clients quickly lost its appeal. Laura discovered the CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER™ courses, where she found she could use her investment knowledge in
conjunction with the practice of holistic planning and became one of the early pioneers of the financial
planning profession. Laura completed the CFP® program in 19831, and founded The Tarbox Group, Inc. on
January 1, 1985 in California.
Laura Tarbox is the principal owner of Tarbox Family Office, Inc., who founded the firm as an SEC-
registered investment adviser. Never comfortable with the conflicts inherent in selling products, Laura made
the decision to drop her securities and insurance licenses in 1990, becoming one of the first truly fee-only
financial advisors in the U.S. The firm is not affiliated with any bank, brokerage firm, insurance, or trust
company, and is privately held. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not sell any products, or take any
commissions, trails, or referral fees. Our allegiance is to our client, and our incentive is to serve our client’s
best interests.
B. Types of Services
Financial Planning and Consulting Services
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s approach starts with the evaluation and review of its clients’ financial
concerns, risks, and objectives. We suggest strategies to accomplish agreed-upon goals and use a
coordinated implementation and follow-through process once decisions are made. Results and progress are
evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Financial planning services may include:
• Coordination of multi-generational estate planning and wealth transfer
• Assistance in establishing goals and development of overall family financial plan
• Advice on philanthropic giving and management
• Help with maximizing employee benefits
• Assistance with complex financial transactions
• Work with and/or coordination with other close family members
• Cash-flow analysis and management
• Review and management of insurance coverage
• Ongoing tax planning, consulting, and coordination
Investment Advisory Services
Investment management is implemented as part of the client’s overall plan and involves the management
and oversight of all assets on an ongoing basis. We provide disciplined and customized institutional-grade
investment management for both taxable and tax-deferred clients.
1 Please refer to Ms. Tarbox’s Form ADV Part 2B, Brochure Supplement for more information about this designation.
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. uses an asset class investing approach, with a variety of asset types to build
portfolios, and a strong preference for liquidity, where possible. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. looks at the
performance of various asset classes over long periods of time to determine its sector allocations for its
models, then chooses the most appropriate vehicle to obtain the appropriate exposure to those asset classes.
Equities
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s core investment portfolios include equity exposure to Global, Domestic (U.S.),
Developed International and Emerging Markets. We diversify across equity markets, making small shifts
into equity exposures that look most attractive to hold for approximately the next one to three years. For
example, we may overweight U.S. stocks and underweight developed international stocks. Within the
broader equity market, we invest across market capitalizations (large, mid, small and microcap) and styles
(value and growth). The focus is not on individual companies or market timing maneuvers.
Typically, the firm indexes the core of each of our equity portfolios. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. believes
traditional index funds have significant benefits that include an easily understandable discipline,
transparency, reduced costs, tax efficiency, and lack of subjectivity, all of which have been shown to add
significantly to investment returns. For example, we use S&P 500 index funds to provide primary exposure
to large-cap U.S. stocks. We will often use Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) to implement index strategies.
When consistent with a client’s investment objectives, we may also allocate to “interval funds.” Investment
companies structured as “interval funds” are generally designed for long-term investors that do not require
daily liquidity. Shares in interval funds typically do not trade on the secondary market. Instead, their shares
are subject to periodic redemption offers by the fund at a price based on net asset value. Accordingly,
interval funds are subject to liquidity constraints. Interval funds investing in securities of companies with
smaller market capitalizations, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to
have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Generally, the interval funds we use offer a two to three week
period, on a quarterly basis, during which the client may seek the redemption of the previously purchased
interval funds.
We may include actively managed mutual funds in client portfolios, which seek to add value by:
• Providing specific exposure to portfolios to more inefficient asset classes such as small-cap or
emerging markets
• Allowing great stock pickers to identify attractive companies
• Protecting portfolios in down markets
Important factors that we consider to help identify superior active managers include:
• An investment approach that is consistent and repeatable
• Reasonable expenses
• Mindfulness of the importance of maximizing pre-tax and after-tax performance
• Risk and return analysis
• Managers who invest their own money in the funds they manage
• Portfolio concentration – conviction, keeping risk in mind
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Fixed Income
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. includes bond and cash investments in client portfolios to provide stable cash
flow. We participate across a full spectrum of fixed income assets, allowing us to invest where we find the
greatest potential value, i.e., corporates, agencies, municipals, etc. Individual fixed income portfolio
construction involves:
• Controlling portfolio duration to protect from interest rate fluctuations
• Managing the impact of callable bonds
• Cash flow-liability matching, if appropriate
• Building of national and state-specific portfolios
The factors under consideration when constructing the fixed income portfolio include:
• Controlling costs by working with multiple bond sources and technology sources (i.e., Bloomberg)
to obtain the highest bond yields
• Minimizing tax impact: Utilization of federal and state tax-free bonds for clients in higher tax
brackets
• Asset location: Placement of tax-inefficient holdings in tax-deferred accounts when possible
Investments in these assets may cause a client to miss upswings in the equity markets. A client can advise
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. not to maintain (or to limit the amount of) cash or cash equivalent positions in
their account.
Alternatives
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. client portfolios have an allocation to alternative investments, typically through
mutual fund allocations. We feel that alternatives can potentially reduce portfolio risk and enhance returns
because this asset class does not always move in sync with the stock or bond markets. These holdings may
include:
• Single-strategy hedge funds
• Hedge fund-of-funds
• Long-short funds
• Arbitrage strategies
• Managed futures
• Value-added real estate partnerships
• Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”)
• Commodities
• Hedged mutual funds
• Private equity
Unaffiliated Private Investment Funds
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may recommend that certain qualified clients consider an investment in
unaffiliated private investment funds. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s role in this respect is limited to initial
and ongoing due diligence and investment monitoring services. If a client determines to become a private
fund investor, the amount of assets invested in the funds are included in the calculation of Tarbox Family
Office, Inc.’s investment advisory fee. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s clients are under absolutely no
obligation to consider or make an investment in a private investment fund. If Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
bills an investment advisory fee based upon the value of private investment funds or otherwise references
private investment funds owned by the client on any supplemental account reports prepared by Tarbox
Family Office, Inc., the value for all private investment funds owned by the client will reflect the most
recent valuation provided by the fund sponsor. The current value of any private investment fund could be
significantly more or less than the original purchase price or the price reflected in any supplemental account
report.
Independent Managers
When consistent with investment objectives, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may also recommend that certain
clients authorize Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to allocate the active discretionary management of a portion
of their assets among certain independent investment managers or platforms that Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. selects to provide specialized investment services (the “Independent Managers”). Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. considers the following factors before recommending allocations to Independent Managers:
portfolio investment objectives, account management style, historical performance, reputation, financial
strength, reporting, pricing, and research. The terms and conditions of the relationship are detailed in a
separate agreement executed between the client and the Independent Manager. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
will monitor those accounts with a focus on client investment objectives, and asset allocation. Tarbox
Family Office, Inc. may determine that the allocation to an Independent Manager is no longer appropriate
and reallocate client investment assets elsewhere. The value of assets allocated to the Independent Managers
is included in the calculation of the client’s investment advisory fee paid to Tarbox Family Office, Inc. as
described in Item 5. The investment management fees charged by the designated Independent Managers
are exclusive of, and in addition to, Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s ongoing investment advisory fee. Fees
charged by the Independent Managers (which may include fees collected by Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
that it remits to the Independent Managers) may be either in advance or arrears depending upon the specific
Independent Manager relationship, which will be disclosed to the client at the point of entering into the
Independent Manager relationship.
MISCELLANEOUS
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation Services
We may provide services regarding non-investment related matters, such as: estate planning, tax planning,
insurance consulting, etc. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not serve as a law firm, or insurance agency, and
our services should not be construed as legal services or insurance sales. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does
not prepare estate planning documents or sell insurance products. Unless specifically agreed in writing,
neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc. nor its representatives are responsible to implement any financial plans
or financial planning advice; provide ongoing financial planning services; or provide ongoing monitoring
of financial plans or financial planning advice. The client retains absolute discretion over all financial
planning and related implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from
Tarbox Family Office, Inc., and its representatives in that respect. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s financial
planning and consulting services are completed upon communicating its recommendations to the client,
upon delivery of the written financial plan, or upon termination of the applicable agreement. Upon specific
client request, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may recommend other professionals to provide services (such as
attorneys, accountants, and insurance agents). Clients are under no obligation to engage the services of any
recommended professional, who are responsible for the quality and competency of the services they
provide.
Retirement Plan Rollovers-No Obligation/Conflict of Interest
A client or prospective client leaving an employer has four options regarding an existing retirement plan
(and may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted,
(iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could,
depending upon the client’s age, result in adverse tax consequences). If Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
recommends that a client roll over their retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Tarbox
Family Office, Inc., such a recommendation creates a conflict of interest if Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will
earn a new (or increase its current) advisory fee as a result of the rollover. No client is under any obligation
to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
ERISA / IRC Fiduciary Acknowledgment
When Tarbox Family Office, Inc. provides investment advice to a client about the client’s retirement plan
account or individual retirement account, it does so as a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and/or the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. Because the way Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
makes money creates some conflicts with client interests, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. operates under a
special rule that requires it to act in the client’s best interest and not put its interests ahead of the client’s.
Under this special rule’s provisions, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. must: meet a professional standard of care
when making investment recommendations (give prudent advice); never put its financial interests ahead of
the client’s when making recommendations (give loyal advice); avoid misleading statements about conflicts
of interest, fees, and investments; follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. gives advice that is in the client’s best interest; charge no more than is reasonable for Tarbox
Family Office, Inc.’s services; and give the client basic information about conflicts of interest.
Client Obligations
When performing its services, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. is not required to verify any information received
from the client or from the client’s designated professionals and is expressly authorized to rely on that
information. Clients are responsible to promptly notify Tarbox Family Office, Inc. if there is ever any
change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing or amending Tarbox
Family Office, Inc.’s services or previous recommendations.
Third Party Reporting Services
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may provide access to reporting services through one or more third-party
aggregation / reporting platforms that can reflect all of the client’s investment assets, including those
investment assets that the client has not engaged Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to manage (the “Excluded
Assets”). Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s service for the Excluded Assets is strictly limited to reporting and
specifically excludes investment management or implementation. Because Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does
not have trading authority for the Excluded Assets, the client (and/or a designated investment professional),
and not Tarbox Family Office, Inc., will be exclusively responsible for directly implementing any
recommendations for the Excluded Assets and the resulting performance or related activity (such as timing
and trade errors) pertaining to the Excluded Assets. The third-party aggregation / reporting platforms may
also provide access to financial planning information and applications, which should not be construed as
services, advice, or recommendations provided by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. Accordingly, Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. will not agree to be responsible for any adverse results a client may experience if the client
engages in financial planning or other functions available on the third party reporting platforms without
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s participation or oversight.
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
C. Advisory Services Tailored to Individual Clients
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s goal is not to beat a particular index – it is to meet or exceed our clients’
specific required or targeted rate of return. No two clients have the same situation, so no two clients have
the same investment portfolio. In all cases, the firm’s clients appreciate the focus and attention given to
their unique situation.
We work with the client to establish a unique Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”), the purpose of which
is to agree on a set of general parameters and select an allocation to one of Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s
four model strategies: Stable Growth, Conservative Growth, Moderate Growth and Growth. The
appropriate model strategy is based on the appropriate target volatility/return portfolio, given the client’s
risk tolerance. Once the strategy is selected, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. individually manages each client
portfolio in conformity with the IPS.
To build a client-customized portfolio, we use the following investment process:
• For individuals and families, we start with a review of the client’s current investments, tax situation,
income needs, family dynamics, and short- and long-term goals.
• For foundations and endowments, we review the entity’s current policy and investment profile in
relation to its spending needs.
This provides a risk/reward profile that leads toward the selection of a targeted asset allocation. The client
may, at any time, impose reasonable restrictions, in writing, on Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s services.
D. Wrap-Fee Programs
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not participate in a wrap fee program.
E. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. had $953,740,765 in assets under management on a
discretionary basis.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A. Compensation; Fee schedule
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. offers its services on a fee-only basis, which may include hourly or fixed fees,
as well as fees based upon assets under management. As client objectives, security types, account
management, and reporting complexity all impact Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s management costs, the
minimum account size and rate schedule are negotiable under special circumstances.
Investment Advisory Services
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s annual investment advisory fee varies (from 0.20% up to 1.00% of the total
assets under management), which is based upon various objective and subjective factors, such as the amount
of the assets under management and/or advisement, the complexity of the engagement, and the level and
scope of the overall investment advisory services to be provided. As a result, similarly situated clients could
pay diverse fees. Unless Tarbox Family Office, Inc. expressly agrees otherwise in writing, account assets
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
consisting of cash and cash equivalent positions are included in the value of an account’s assets for purposes
of calculating Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s advisory fee.
Financial Planning and Consulting Services (Stand-Alone)
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including investment
and non-investment related matters, estate planning, insurance planning, etc.) on a stand-alone separate fee
basis. The negotiable fees for these services generally range from $5,000 to $20,000 on a fixed-fee basis,
or between $175.00 to $600.00 per hour on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the
services required and the professionals rendering those services. Before engaging Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. to provide these services, clients are generally required to enter into a Financial Planning and
Consulting Agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination);
describes the scope of the services to be provided; and describes the portion of the fee that is due from the
client before Tarbox Family Office, Inc. begins to provide advisory services.
B. Fee Payment Method
Investment advisory fees are billed and payable quarterly in arrears. The fee is based on the market value
of the account on the last business day of the billing quarter. Although the majority of Tarbox Family Office,
Inc.’s clients may have their fees deducted from their accounts, clients may choose to be billed directly.
C. Other Types of Fees/Expenses
Management fees paid to Tarbox Family Office, Inc. are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction
fees, and other related costs and expenses which will be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain
charges imposed by custodians, brokers, and other parties related to investment advisory accounts and
transactions. These charges could include, without limitation, custodial fees, deferred sales charges,
transaction charges (including mark-ups and mark-downs), commissions, prime brokerage fees resulting
from trades executed through or with a broker-dealer other than the designated broker-dealer/custodian,
odd-lot differentials, exchange fees, American Depositary Receipt agency processing fees, transfer taxes,
wire transfer fees, electronic fund fees, and any charges, taxes or other fees related to brokerage accounts
and securities transactions mandated by any federal, state or other applicable law or otherwise agreed to
with regard to client accounts. Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds also charge internal management
fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s prospectus. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not receive any portion
of these commissions, fees, or costs, and strives to negotiate and minimize such expense wherever possible.
The fees charged by the applicable broker-dealer/custodian, and the charges imposed at the mutual fund
and exchange-traded fund level, and the fees incurred with respect to the client’s engagement of
Independent Managers described above are in addition to Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s investment advisory
fees referenced in this Item 5. Please refer to Section 12 – Brokerage Practices for a more detailed discussion
of brokerage practices.
D. Fee Payment Schedule
Investment advisory fees are billed in arrears and payable each quarter. Upon termination of the applicable
form of agreement, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will debit the account or bill the client (as applicable) for
the pro-rated portion of the unpaid advisory fee based upon the number of days that services were provided
during the billing quarter.
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
E. Additional Compensation
Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc., nor its representatives accept compensation from the sale of securities
or other investment products.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc. nor any supervised person of Tarbox Family Office, Inc. accepts
performance-based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. currently provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
• High net worth individuals
• Charitable Organizations
• Business entities
• Trusts and Estates
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. generally seeks to work with clients having initial minimum account assets of
$5 million for combined planning and investment management services. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may
reduce or waive this general requirement based upon certain criteria such as: anticipated future earning
capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related accounts,
account composition, and negotiations with client.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
• Charting - (analysis performed using patterns to identify current trends and trend reversals to
forecast the direction of prices)
• Fundamental - (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal of making financial
forecasts)
• Technical – (analysis performed on historical and present data, focusing on price and trade volume,
to forecast the direction of prices)
• Cyclical – (analysis performed on historical relationships between price and market trends, to
forecast the direction of prices)
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
• Long-Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
• Short-Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
• Trading (securities sold within thirty (30) days)
We focus on the “big picture” decisions that seek to maximize the likelihood that investment returns
will meet client objectives. Our investment philosophy encompasses what we feel are the top three
most important factors in designing a portfolio:
• Strategic asset allocation: This is the most significant component affecting portfolio returns.
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• Diversification: It is essential to diversify among asset classes, investment styles and holdings to
reduce risk.
• Costs: Keeping expenses and taxes to a minimum has a tremendous effect on long-term returns.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s investment philosophy is centered on the assumption that most securities
markets are generally efficient. The firm does not engage in individual stock picking, believing that a
well-diversified portfolio will outperform an actively managed portfolio over most full market cycles.
The firm also does not engage in market timing, maintaining client allocations throughout market
cycles.
Investment Risk in General. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared
to bear, including the loss of principal investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it should not be assumed that future
performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or
investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Tarbox Family Office, Inc.) will be profitable or
equal to any specific performance level. Investment strategies such as asset allocation, diversification,
or rebalancing do not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment
losses. There is no guarantee that a portfolio employing these or any other strategy will outperform a
portfolio that does not engage in such strategies. While asset values may increase and client account
values could benefit as a result, it is also possible that asset values may decrease, and client account
values could suffer a loss.
B. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s methods of analysis and investment strategies do not present any
significant or unusual risks. However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks. To perform
an accurate market analysis, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. must have access to current/new market
information. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has no control over market information, and unknowingly may
make decisions with outdated market information, limiting the value of the analysis. Furthermore, an
accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of market values. There can be no
assurances that a forecasted change in market value will materialize into actionable and/or profitable
investment opportunities.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s primary investment strategies - Long-Term Purchases, Short-Term
Purchases, and Trading - are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy
has its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies require a
longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop. Shorter term investment
strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially develop but, as a result of more
frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs when compared to a longer term investment
strategy. Trading, an investment strategy that requires the purchase and sale of securities within a thirty
(30) day investment time period, involves a very short investment time period but will incur higher
transaction costs when compared to a short-term investment strategy and substantially higher
transaction costs than a longer term investment strategy.
C. Currently, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. primarily allocates client investment assets among various
individual equity (stocks), debt (bonds) and fixed income securities, and/or mutual funds and Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs) on a discretionary basis in accordance with the client’s designated investment
objectives. When consistent with a client’s investment objectives, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may also
recommend that clients allocate investment assets to unaffiliated private investment funds. The
following provides a non-exhaustive summary of the underlying risks commonly associated with the
types of investments that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. uses or recommends, or with respect to the
investment advisory process itself:
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
Market Risk. The price of a security may drop in reaction to tangible and intangible events and
conditions. This type of risk may be caused by external factors (such as economic or political factors)
but may also be incurred because of a security’s specific underlying investments. Additionally, each
security’s price can fluctuate based on market movement, which may or may not be due to the security’s
operations or changes in its true value. For example, political, economic, and social conditions may
trigger market events, which are temporarily negative, or temporarily positive.
Geopolitical Risk. Increased interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets
increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely
impact issuers in a different country, region, or financial market. Certain securities may underperform
due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or
resources, climate change or climate-related events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism,
international conflicts, regulatory events, and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The
occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may
have long-term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets.
Unsystematic Risk. Unsystematic risk is the company-specific or industry-specific risk in a portfolio
that the investor bears. Unsystematic risk is typically addressed through diversification. However, as
indicated above, diversification does not guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of
investment losses.
Value Investment Risk. Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and following
a value-oriented investment strategy may cause a portfolio to underperform growth stocks.
Growth Investment Risk. Prices of growth stocks tend to be higher in relation to their companies’
earnings and may be more sensitive to market, political and economic developments than other stocks,
making their prices more volatile.
Small Company Risk. Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies
and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result,
small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small capitalization companies
are more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they
may have more limited resources.
Commodity Risk. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes
in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting
a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes,
tariffs, international economic, political, and regulatory developments.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk. Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of:
(i) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (ii) less regulated or liquid securities
markets. Investors holding these securities are also exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that
foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar).
Fixed Income Risk. Investments in fixed income instruments involve several risks that can affect their
value. The prices of these investments can change from day to day. Common risks include changes in
interest rates, the financial condition of the issuer, and how quickly principal is repaid. When interest
rates rise, the value of existing fixed income investments typically falls. If an issuer’s financial
condition worsens or its credit rating is downgraded, the value of its fixed income securities may also
decline. Some fixed income investments may also be affected by early repayments, which can limit
returns when interest rates are low.
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Inflation Risk. When any type of inflation is present, a dollar at present value will not carry the same
purchasing power as a dollar in the future, because that purchasing power erodes at the rate of inflation.
Reinvestment Risk. Future proceeds from investments may have to be reinvested at a potentially lower
rate of return (i.e., interest rate), which primarily relates to fixed income securities.
Credit Risk. The issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal
when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial
strength may affect a security’s value and impact performance. Credit risk is considered greater for
fixed income securities with ratings below investment grade. Fixed income securities that are below
investment grade involve higher credit risk and are considered speculative.
Call Risk. During periods of falling interest rates, a bond issuer will call or repay a higher-yielding
bond before its maturity date, forcing the investment to reinvest in bonds with lower interest rates than
the original obligations.
Regulatory Risk. Changes in laws and regulations from any government can change the market value
of companies subject to such regulations. Certain industries are more susceptible to government
regulation. For example, changes in zoning, tax structure or laws may impact the return on investments.
Pandemic Risk. Large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease can greatly increase morbidity and
mortality over a wide geographic area, crossing international boundaries, and causing significant
economic, social, and political disruption.
Concentration Risk. Maintaining concentrated positions in the same companies, industries, or issuers
invested in the same industries increases the risk of loss relative to the market as a whole.
Mutual Fund Risk. Mutual funds are operated by investment companies that raise money from
shareholders and invest it in stocks, bonds, and/or other types of securities. Each fund will have a
manager that trades the fund’s investments in accordance with the fund’s investment objective. Mutual
funds charge a separate management fee for their services, so the returns on mutual funds are reduced
by the costs to manage the funds. While mutual funds generally provide diversification, risks can be
significantly increased if the fund is concentrated in a particular sector of the market. Mutual funds
come in many varieties. Some invest aggressively for capital appreciation, while others are conservative
and are designed to generate income for shareholders. In addition, the client’s overall portfolio may be
affected by losses of an underlying fund and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of
an underlying fund (such as the use of derivatives).
Exchange Traded Fund Risk. ETFs are marketable securities that are designed to track, before fees and
expenses, the performance or returns of a relevant index, commodity, bonds, or basket of assets, like
an index fund. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs trade like common stock on a stock exchange. ETFs
experience price changes throughout the day as they are bought and sold. In addition to the general
risks of investing, there are specific risks to consider with respect to an investment in ETFs, including,
but not limited to: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its net asset
value; (ii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iii) trading
of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the
shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are
tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
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Cash and Cash Equivalent Risk. Maintaining cash or cash equivalent positions can help reduce portfolio
volatility and drawdowns during adverse market conditions and can provide flexibility to meet
withdrawals or deploy capital opportunistically. At the same time, holding cash or cash equivalents
may cause a client to miss market upswings, and Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s investment advisory fee
could exceed the investment return earned on cash and cash equivalent positions. Clients may instruct
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. not to maintain (or to limit) cash or cash-equivalent positions in their
account.
Independent Manager Risk. While Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may conduct due diligence about
Independent Managers and their respective investment style and process, Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
will not have the opportunity to evaluate each specific investment that the Independent Managers will
execute on the client’s behalf. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. depends on Independent Managers to develop
the appropriate systems and procedures to control operational risks. As a result, the rates of return to
clients will primarily depend upon the choice of investments and other investment and management
decisions of Independent Managers and returns could be adversely affected by unfavorable
performance of such Independent Managers. Some of the strategies that Independent Managers employ
may present additional risk, including those risks described in this section.
Private Investment Fund Risk. Certain clients may be advised to invest in private investment funds or
other private securities, including securities of privately held companies. Such investments involve
substantial risk, including the possible loss of all or a substantial portion of the invested capital. Unlike
publicly traded securities and other liquid investments, private funds and private securities generally
are illiquid, are not publicly traded, and typically do not provide daily pricing or redemption rights.
Accordingly, there may be no readily available market for such investments, and they may be difficult
to value or sell. Private securities may be particularly speculative because they may represent junior
positions in an issuer’s capital structure and, therefore, may be subject to a heightened risk of loss. In
addition, the ability to dispose of private investment holdings may be restricted by applicable securities
laws, as well as by contractual, legal, or regulatory limitations. These investments generally may not
be sold unless the transaction is registered under applicable securities laws or an exemption from
registration is available. There can be no assurance that any such registration or exemption will be
available, that an attractive exit opportunity will arise, or that any investment will be realized at a
favorable valuation. As a result, dispositions may require a lengthy period of time and, in some cases,
may be made through distributions in kind rather than for cash. The material risks associated with any
private fund investment are described more fully in the applicable offering documents and subscription
materials, which clients should review carefully before investing. Prospective investors generally will
be required to complete subscription documentation pursuant to which they represent, among other
things, that they satisfy applicable eligibility standards and understand and accept the risks associated
with the investment.
Interval Fund Risk: Closed-end interval funds are unable to be repurchased or otherwise sold on a daily
basis. Rather, to provide limited liquidity to its shareholders, interval funds conduct periodic repurchase
offers for a portion of a fund’s outstanding shares. However, there is no guarantee that investors may
sell their shares at any given time or in the desired amount. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the
fund will repurchase the shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and shareholders will have to wait until the
next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, shareholders may be unable to
liquidate all, or a given percentage, of their investment in the fund during a repurchase offer. Some
shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more shares than they wish to have repurchased
in a quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A shareholder may be subject
to market and other risks, and the net asset value of shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline
between the repurchase request deadline and the date on which the net asset value for tendered shares
is determined. In addition, the repurchase of shares by the fund may be a taxable event to shareholders.
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Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
and its third-party service providers use to provide services to Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s clients
employ various controls, which are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from
intentional or unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Tarbox Family Office,
Inc.’s operations and result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or non-public
personal information. Clients and Tarbox Family Office, Inc. are nonetheless subject to the risk of
cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause them to incur losses, including, for example:
financial losses, reputational damage, costs to respond to regulatory obligations, other costs associated
with corrective measures, and loss from damage or interruption to systems. Although Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. has established its systems to reduce the risk of cybersecurity incidents from coming to
fruition, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful, especially considering that
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not directly control the cybersecurity measures and policies employed
by third-party service providers. Clients could incur similar adverse consequences resulting from
cybersecurity incidents that more directly affect issuers of securities in which those clients invest,
broker-dealers, qualified custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other
financial market operators, or other financial institutions.
Margin and Securities-Based Loans. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not recommend the use of margin
for investment purposes. However, if a client determines to take a margin loan that collateralizes a
portion of the assets that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. is managing, Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s
investment advisory fee will be computed based upon the full value of the assets, without deducting the
amount of the margin loan. Without limiting the above, upon specific client request and generally in a
financial planning context, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may help clients evaluate and establish a margin
or securities-based loan (“SBL”) with the client’s broker-dealer/custodian or their affiliated banks
(“SBL Lender”) to access cash flow. Compared to real estate-backed loans, SBLs could provide access
to funds in a shorter time, provide greater repayment flexibility, and may also result in the borrower
receiving certain tax benefits. Clients interested in learning more about the potential tax benefits of
SBLs should consult with an accountant or tax advisor. The terms and conditions of each SBL are
contained in a separate agreement between the client and the SBL Lender selected by the client, which
terms and conditions may vary from client to client. SBLs are not suitable for all clients and are subject
to certain risks, including but not limited to: increased market risk, increased risk of loss, especially in
the event of a significant downturn; liquidity risk; the potential obligation to post collateral or repay the
SBL if the SBL Lender determines that the value of collateralized securities is no longer sufficient to
support the value of the SBL; the risk that the SBL Lender may liquidate the client’s securities to satisfy
its demand for additional collateral or repayment / the risk that the SBL Lender may terminate the SBL
at any time. Before agreeing to participate in SBL programs, clients should carefully review the
applicable SBL agreement and all risk disclosures provided by the SBL Lender including the initial
margin and maintenance requirements for the specific program in which the client enrolls, and the
procedures for issuing “margin calls” and liquidating securities and other assets in the client’s accounts.
If Tarbox Family Office, Inc. recommends that a client apply for SBLs instead of selling securities that
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. manages for a fee to meet liquidity needs, the recommendation presents an
ongoing conflict of interest because selling those securities (instead of leveraging those securities to
access SBLs) would reduce the amount of assets to which Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s investment
advisory fee percentage is applied, and thereby reduce the amount of investment advisory fees collected
by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. Likewise, the same ongoing conflict of interest is present if a client
determines to apply for an SBL on their own initiative. These ongoing conflicts of interest would persist
as long as Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has an economic disincentive to recommend that the client
terminate the use of SBLs. If the client were to invest any portion of the SBL proceeds in an account
that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. manages, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will receive an advisory fee on
the invested amount, which could compound this conflict of interest. If a client accesses SBLs through
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its relationship with Tarbox Family Office, Inc. and the client’s relationship with Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. is terminated, that client may incur higher (retail) interest rates on the outstanding loan balances.
Clients are not under any obligation to employ the use of SBLs, and are solely responsible for
determining when to use, reduce, and terminate the use of SBLs. Although Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
seeks to disclose all conflicts of interest related to its recommended use of SBLs and related business
practices, there may be other conflicts of interest that are not identified above. Clients are therefore
reminded to carefully review the applicable SBL agreement, and all risk disclosures provided by the
SBL Lender as applicable and contact Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Chief Compliance Officer with any
questions about the use of SBLs.
Portfolio Trading Activity and Inactivity. As part of its investment advisory services, Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. will review client portfolios on an ongoing basis to determine if any trades are necessary
based upon various factors, including but not limited to investment performance, fund manager tenure,
style drift, account additions/withdrawals, the client’s financial circumstances, and changes in the
client’s investment objectives. Based upon these and other factors, there may be extended periods when
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. determines that upon review, trades within a client’s portfolio are not
prudent. Clients nonetheless remain subject to the fees described in Item 5 during periods of portfolio
trading inactivity.
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc., nor its representatives, are registered or have an application
pending to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-dealer.
B. Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc., nor its representatives, are registered or have an application
pending to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a commodity
trading advisor, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. and its management persons do not have any relationship or
arrangement that is material to its advisory business or to its clients with any related person required
to be disclosed in this Item 10.C.
D. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not recommend or select other investment advisors for its clients.
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
A. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. maintains an investment policy related to personal securities
transactions. This investment policy is part of Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s overall Code of Ethics,
which serves to establish a standard of business conduct for all of its Representatives that is based
upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of which is available
upon request.
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In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. also maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. or any person associated with
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
B. Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc. nor any related person recommends, buys, or sells for client
accounts, securities in which Tarbox Family Office, Inc. or any related person of Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. has a material financial interest.
C. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. and its representatives may buy or sell securities that are also
recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where Tarbox Family Office, Inc. and
its representatives are in a position to materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those
securities. Therefore, this situation creates a potential conflict of interest. Practices such as
“scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security recommends that security for
investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the rise in the market price which follows
the recommendation) could take place if Tarbox Family Office, Inc. did not have adequate policies
in place to detect such activities. In addition, this requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-
running” (i.e., personal trades executed prior to those of Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s clients) and
other potentially abusive practices.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the
applicable personal securities transactions and securities holdings of each of Tarbox Family Office,
Inc.’s “Access Persons.” Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s securities transaction policy requires that
Access Persons of Tarbox Family Office, Inc. must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or their
designee with a written report of their current securities holdings within ten (10) days after
becoming an Access Person. Access Persons must then provide the Chief Compliance Officer with
quarterly transaction reports detailing trades in the Access Person’s account during the previous
quarter; and on an annual basis, each Access Person must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or
a designee with a report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings on a date Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. selects. However, if at any time Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has only one Access Person,
they will not be required to submit the reports described above.
D. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. and its representatives may buy or sell securities, at or around the same
time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates a situation where Tarbox
Family Office, Inc. and its representatives could be in a position to materially benefit from the sale
or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a potential conflict of interest. As
indicated above in Item 11.C, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has a personal securities transaction
policy in place to monitor the personal securities transactions and securities holdings of each of
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
A. If a client requests that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. recommend a broker-dealer/custodian for
execution or custodial services, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. generally recommends that investment
management accounts be maintained with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and
its affiliates (“Schwab”). Before engaging Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to provide investment
management services, the client enters into an agreement with Tarbox Family Office, Inc. setting
forth the terms and conditions for the management of the client’s assets, and a separate
custodial/clearing agreement with each designated broker-dealer/custodian. Depending on which
broker-dealer/custodian clients select to maintain their account, they may experience differences in
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customer service, transaction timing, the availability and investment return of sweep account
vehicles and money market funds, and other aspects of investing that could cause differences in
account performance.
When seeking “best execution” from a broker-dealer, the determinative factor is not always the
lowest possible cost, but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution when
considering the full range of a broker-dealer’s services including the value of research provided,
execution capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Although Tarbox Family Office, Inc.
cannot guarantee that clients will always experience the best possible execution available, Tarbox
Family Office, Inc. seeks to recommend a broker-dealer/custodian that will hold client assets and
execute transactions on terms that are, overall, most advantageous when compared with other
available providers and their services. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. considers a wide range of factors
when recommending a broker-dealer/custodian, including:
• Combination of transaction execution services and asset custody services (generally without a
separate fee for custody);
• Capability to execute, clear and settle trades (buy and sell securities for client accounts);
• Capability to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check
requests, bill payment, etc.);
• Breadth of available investment products (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, etc.);
• Quality of services (including research);
• Competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates, other
fees, etc.) and willingness to negotiate the prices;
• Reputation, financial strength, and stability; and
• Prior service to Tarbox Family Office, Inc., and its other clients.
Schwab is compensated for its services according to its fee schedule, generally by charging clients
commissions or other fees on trades that it executes or that settle into their Schwab account.
Although Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will seek competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the
lowest possible commission rates for all client account transactions. The fees charged by the
designated broker-dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Tarbox Family Office,
Inc.’s investment advisory fees. Schwab may charge clients a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker”
or “trade-away” fee for each trade that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. executes by a different broker-
dealer but where the securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited or settled
into the client’s Schwab account. These fees are in addition to the commissions or other
compensation clients pay the executing broker-dealer. Therefore, in an attempt to minimize client
trading costs, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. directs Schwab to execute most if not all trades for client
accounts. When doing so, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has determined that having Schwab execute
most trades is consistent with the duty to seek “best execution” of client trades.
Research and Other Benefits
While Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not receive traditional “soft dollar benefits,” Tarbox Family
Office, Inc. and by extension, its clients, receive access to certain institutional brokerage services
many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail investors. These benefits include the
following products and services (provided without cost or at a discount): receipt of duplicate client
statements and confirmations; research related products and tools; consulting services; access to a
trading desk serving Tarbox Family Office, Inc. participants; access to block trading (which
provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions for execution and then allocate the
appropriate shares to client accounts); the ability to have advisory fees deducted directly from client
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accounts; access to an electronic communications network for client order entry and account
information; access to mutual funds with no transaction fees and to certain institutional money
managers; and discounts on compliance, marketing, research, technology, and practice
management products or services provided to Tarbox Family Office, Inc. by third party vendors.
Schwab may also have paid for business consulting and professional services received by Tarbox
Family Office, Inc.’s related persons. Some of the products and services made available by Schwab
through the program may benefit Tarbox Family Office, Inc. but may not directly benefit its client
accounts. These products or services may assist Tarbox Family Office, Inc. in managing and
administering client accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. Other services made
available by Schwab are intended to help Tarbox Family Office, Inc. manage and further develop
its business enterprise. The benefits received by Tarbox Family Office, Inc., or its personnel
through participation in the program do not depend on the number of brokerage transactions
directed to Schwab. As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. endeavors
at all times to put the interests of its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt
of economic benefits by Tarbox Family Office, Inc., or its related persons in and of itself creates a
potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s choice of
Schwab for custody and brokerage services.
No Referrals from Broker-Dealers
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not receive referrals from broker-dealers.
Directed Brokerage
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a
client requires that account transactions be executed through a specific broker-dealer). In such
client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for their account with
that broker-dealer, and Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will not seek better execution services or prices
from other broker-dealers or be able to “batch” the client’s transactions for execution through other
broker-dealers with orders for other accounts managed by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. As a result,
the client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs or greater spreads, or receive less
favorable net prices, on transactions for the account than would otherwise be the case. In the event
that the client directs Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to execute securities transactions for the client’s
accounts through a specific broker-dealer, the client correspondingly acknowledges that such
direction may cause the accounts to incur higher commissions or transaction costs than the accounts
would otherwise incur had the client determined to execute account transactions through alternative
clearing arrangements that may be available through Tarbox Family Office, Inc. Higher transaction
costs adversely impact account performance. Transactions for directed accounts will generally be
executed after transactions for non-directed accounts.
B. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will generally execute account transactions for each client
independently unless Tarbox Family Office, Inc. decides to purchase or sell the same securities for
several clients at approximately the same time. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may (but is not obligated
to) combine or “bunch” such orders to seek best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission
rates, or to equitably allocate differences in prices and commissions or other transaction costs
among Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s clients, which might have been obtained if the orders were
placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and will be
allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders placed for each client account
on any given day. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will not receive any additional compensation as a
result.
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Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Tarbox Family Office, Inc. provides investment supervisory services,
account reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis by Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Principals
and/or representatives.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. maintains a disciplined, ongoing approach towards portfolio reviews
to:
• Rebalance the portfolios through time to the target asset class allocations set forth in each
client’s Investment Policy Statement.
Implement rebalancing on an “as-needed” basis and not on any periodic schedule.
•
• Realize tax losses (“tax loss harvesting”).
•
•
Identify bonds maturing or being redeemed early so the proceeds can be efficiently and timely
reinvested.
Identify new funds deposited or assets transferred into the account for effective investment and
allocation.
• Review and accommodate client’s cash needs (in case cash is needed for the client to withdraw
•
on a scheduled, periodic, or one‐time basis).
Implement decisions made by Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Investment Committee to change
portfolio composition.
• Accommodate client-directed modifications.
B. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may conduct account reviews on a non-periodic basis upon a triggering
event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or financial situation, market events, or
specific client request.
C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and regular
written summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian and/or program
sponsor for the client accounts. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may also provide a written periodic
report summarizing account activity and performance. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s statements may
vary from custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation
methodologies of certain securities.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not accept referral fees from other professionals when a client is
referred to another firm.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.:
• Does not charge any markup on any securities purchased or sold for clients.
• Does not receive any compensation based on the securities used in the portfolios managed.
• Does not receive commissions of any kind from trades executed for its clients.
Custodians / broker‐dealers (see Item 12: Brokerage Practices) and mutual fund companies may
also make available to Tarbox Family Office, Inc. other products and services that may directly
benefit Tarbox Family Office, Inc. These services may include (i) compliance, legal and business
consulting; (ii) publications and conferences on practice management; and (iii) educational or
business events. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. strives to avoid having such economic benefits impact
either the selection of investments or its recommendation for custodial relationships.
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As referenced in Item 12.A above, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. receives economic benefits from
Charles Schwab & Company (“Schwab”) including support services and/or products without cost
(and/or at a discount). Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s clients do not pay more for investment
transactions executed and/or assets maintained at Schwab as a result of this arrangement. There is
no corresponding commitment made by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to Schwab or any other entity
to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual funds, securities,
or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
B. Neither Tarbox Family Office, Inc. nor related persons of Tarbox Family Office, Inc. compensate
non-supervised persons for client referrals.
Item 15
Custody
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will have the ability to have its advisory fee for each client debited by
the custodian on a quarterly basis. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction
confirmation notices and regular written summary account statements directly from the broker-
dealer/custodian and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. may
also provide a written periodic report summarizing account activity and performance. To the extent
that Tarbox Family Office, Inc. provides clients with periodic account statements or reports, it urges
those clients to compare any statement or report provided by Tarbox Family Office, Inc. with the
account statements received from the account custodian. Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s statements
may vary from custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or valuation
methodologies of certain securities. The account custodian does not verify the accuracy of Tarbox
Family Office, Inc.’s advisory fee calculation.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. engages in other practices on behalf of its clients, which requires
disclosure at ADV Part 1, Item 9, with affected accounts being subjected to an annual surprise
examination conducted by an independent public accountant in conformity with Rule 206(4)-2.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage Tarbox Family Office, Inc. to provide investment advisory
services on a discretionary basis. Before Tarbox Family Office, Inc. assumes discretionary
authority over a client’s account, the client will be required to execute an Investment Advisory
Agreement granting Tarbox Family Office, Inc. full authority to execute investment transactions in
the client’s discretionary accounts.
Clients who engage Tarbox Family Office, Inc. on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s discretionary authority (i.e., limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to purchase
securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s
use of margin, etc.).
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
Unless the client directs otherwise in writing, Tarbox Family Office, Inc. is responsible for voting
client proxies. However, the client shall maintain exclusive responsibility for all legal proceedings
or other types of events pertaining to the account assets, including, but not limited to, class action
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TARBOX FAMILY OFFICE, INC. ADV PART 2A, BROCHURE
lawsuits. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. shall vote proxies in accordance with its Proxy Voting Policy,
a copy of which is available upon request. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. shall monitor corporate
actions of individual issuers and investment companies consistent with Tarbox Family Office,
Inc.’s fiduciary duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. Although the factors which
Tarbox Family Office, Inc. will consider when determining how it will vote differ on a case by case
basis, they may, but are not limited to, include a review of recommendations from issuer
management, shareholder proposals, cost effects of such proposals, and the effect on employees
and executive and director compensation. With respect to individual issuers, Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. may be solicited to vote on matters including corporate governance, adoption, or amendments
to compensation plans (including stock options), and matters involving social issues and corporate
responsibility. With respect to investment companies (e.g., mutual funds), Tarbox Family Office,
Inc. may be solicited to vote on matters including the approval of advisory contracts, distribution
plans, and mergers. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. shall maintain records pertaining to proxy voting
as required pursuant to Rule 204-2(c)(2) under the Advisers Act. Copies of Rules 206(4)-6 and
204-2(c)(2) are available upon written request. In addition, information pertaining to how Tarbox
Family Office, Inc. voted on any specific proxy issue is also available upon written request.
Requests should be made by contacting Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Chief Compliance Officer,
Mary Sigler.
Item 18
Financial Information
A. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. does not solicit fees of more than $1,200 per client, six months or more
in advance.
B. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair
its ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over certain
client accounts.
C. Tarbox Family Office, Inc. has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s Chief Compliance Officer, Mary Sigler, is available to discuss any questions
about this Brochure, any conflicts of interest presented, or any questions about Tarbox Family Office, Inc.’s
services.
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