About Us
Straight answers, and a direct line
Maryland Financial Advocates serves about 100 families who'd rather be known by name than by account number. You'll always know what things cost, what happens next, and who to call.
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Owner · CFP® Professional
Colin Meeks
I'm the founder of Maryland Financial Advocates and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. My biggest accomplishment in life so far is raising my 2 sons to be fine young men. It's been quite a fun ride and I've got a lifetime of great memories and stories, but we're definitely not done.
I'm a Gen X'er, born in the early 70s between the baby boomers and the millennials. I grew up watching The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Taxi, and Cheers. I played lacrosse until I hit my early 20s; now I'm just a spectator with a pair of bad knees.
In my spare time I love to play golf, cook, coach any sport my boys are playing, and just enjoy every day. I'm not handy and have no ability or desire for DIY projects, so if you see me with a power tool, please step in and stop me. I'd much rather be watching a baseball game or enjoying happy hour by the water with family and friends.
Some professional stuff you may want to know…
I've been in the financial planning business since 1994 and started my own practice in 1998. I've been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ since 2001. You can check my background with the CFP® Board, FINRA, and the SEC.
My practice is in Baltimore, Maryland, and we serve around 100 families. Some are local; many are scattered around the country, the farthest in Bellingham, Washington.
I'm active in the special needs community and do a fair amount of planning for families raising a child with special needs. I got into this area after seeing a lot of confused and stressed-out parents who wanted help but didn't know who to ask or where to start.
I also specialize in eldercare financial planning. If you're caring for an aging relative and feel blindsided and overwhelmed by everything you're dealing with, know that there are professionals who can help, and it's never too late to plan.
We do most of our planning engagements virtually, meeting face-to-face over computers, tablets, and phones. No drive time, no traffic, no stressing about being late. If you're in the Baltimore area, we can certainly meet in person in our newly renovated office.
I definitely can't help everyone who stops by our website, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't connect. If you have a question about special needs planning, eldercare planning, or financial planning in general, I'm happy to take a quick phone call or email to see if what I do may help you.
The office, if you're the in-person type
Newly renovated, easy parking, on Harford Road in Parkville. Most meetings happen over video these days, but the coffee's here when you want a table between us.
The questions people ask about us
Because that's the actual job. Products are everywhere; someone squarely on your side of the table is rarer. The name is the mission statement: planning for your family's unique needs, with your interests in front.
Come say hi. The first call is complimentary and actually pleasant.
Tell us what's on your plate. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and you'll know exactly what working together costs before you commit to anything.
Prefer the phone? Call 410-663-0700 and ask for Colin.