Retirement Plan Consulting Services in Detroit

Plan your next chapter with Barking Sands Capital’s independent, fee-based retirement guidance for Detroit-area individuals, business owners, and employer plans. From 401(k) rollovers and Roth IRA conversions to tax coordination, Medicare planning, and investment strategy, our team helps you align retirement decisions with your values, lifestyle goals, and Michigan’s evolving financial planning needs.

Retirement advisor meeting with Detroit clients

Our Retirement Plan Consulting Services

Integrated retirement consulting for individuals, employer plans, and business owners preparing for confident long-term decisions.

Retirement Planning

Comprehensive retirement analysis focused on income needs, asset distribution, investment strategy, risk management, and long-term financial confidence for individuals approaching or living in retirement.

401(k) Rollovers

Guidance for transferring old employer plan assets into a strategy aligned with your goals, tax situation, investment preferences, and retirement timeline.

Roth IRA Conversions

Strategic Roth conversion planning designed to evaluate tax impact, future income needs, long-term growth potential, and opportunities for tax-free retirement assets.

Cash-Balance Plans

Retirement consulting for business owners, including cash-balance plan considerations, tax strategies, and coordination between company benefits and personal wealth goals.

Tax Optimization

Integrated tax and retirement coordination, including business owner strategies, AMT planning, Roth conversion review, and distribution planning to help reduce avoidable tax drag.

Medicare Planning

Planning for Medicare timelines, coverage choices, long-term care needs, and IRMAA strategies to help protect retirement cash flow and preserve assets.

Advisor reviewing retirement plan documents with clients

Our Integrated Retirement Consulting Process

Understand Your Retirement Goals

We begin by learning your goals, retirement timeline, current accounts, family priorities, business interests, and risk comfort. For Detroit-area clients, we also consider Michigan-specific planning concerns such as state residency, employer plan transitions, and regional cost-of-living expectations.

Review Your Financial Picture

Coordinate Key Planning Areas

Build Your Personalized Strategy

Monitor And Adjust Over Time

The Barking Sands Difference

Why Choose Barking Sands Capital?

Barking Sands Capital is a solution-based firm that pairs independent advice and integrated planning with personalized service for Detroit-area retirement clients.

Independent Advice

Fee-based RIA guidance built around client goals, not product commissions or sales pressure.

Integrated Process

The InteProcess™ coordinates retirement, tax, insurance, legal, and investment planning into one clearer strategy.

Michigan Roots

Founded in Troy, the firm understands Detroit-area professionals, business owners, and Michigan retirement transitions.

Credentialed Team

CFP® and ChFC guidance supports complex retirement decisions for families across Detroit and the Midwest.

Meet The Detroit Team

Independent advisors focused on values-based retirement guidance.

Portrait of JB L'Esperance, Principal and ChFC at Barking Sands Capital

JB L'Esperance

Principal, ChFC

JB L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), holding the prestigious Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. With a career that began right out of college in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, JB has built deep expertise in investment management, retirement analysis, estate planning, and small business planning. Licensed in life and health insurance in both Michigan and Minnesota, he has maintained lasting relationships with many of his earliest clients — a testament to his commitment to delivering excellent service and real value. The oldest of six siblings, JB developed strong teamwork and family values early, qualities that define his client-first advisory approach. He and his wife Kelly reside in Independence, Minnesota, where they continue growing their Midwest financial planning practice.

Portrait of Kelly L'Esperance, Principal at Barking Sands Capital

Kelly L'Esperance

Principal

Kelly C. L'Esperance is a co-founder and Principal of Barking Sands Capital (The L'Esperance Group, LLC), bringing a strong background in investment services, fixed income investing, retirement and education planning, and investment portfolio management. With five years of experience at one of the nation's largest commercial banks, Kelly joined her husband and business partner JB to build an independent, fee-based advisory firm grounded in putting clients' needs above all else. Growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where her family ran small resort businesses, Kelly developed an entrepreneurial spirit and deep appreciation for personalized service. Kelly resides in Independence, Minnesota, with JB and their two children.

Portrait of Curtis Hewitt, Advisor at Barking Sands Capital

Curtis Hewitt

Advisor

Curtis Hewitt is an Advisor with Barking Sands Capital, specializing in Medicare Planning and Long Term Care. Based in Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Curtis brings a dynamic entrepreneurial career to his advisory role, having successfully started, managed, and sold multiple businesses throughout his professional life. He is also co-founder of MSIS Agency. Curtis holds a degree in Architectural Design from Lansing Community College and a Business Management degree from Colorado Technical University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He holds Life and Health insurance licenses along with Series 6 and Series 63 registrations. A dedicated community servant, Curtis has served as president of a local Women's Shelter, school board member, and co-founder of a youth mountain biking program. He resides in Marquette with his wife and four children.

Portrait of Tara Handy, Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital

Tara Handy

Client Relationship Manager

Tara Handy is the Client Relationship Manager at Barking Sands Capital, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in client service, account management, and operational support, ensuring that both advisors and clients receive responsive, accurate, and professional assistance. Tara holds Series 7 and Series 63 securities registrations, Life and Health Insurance licenses, and is a commissioned Notary Public. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. Known for building strong, lasting relationships, Tara is dedicated to making every client interaction seamless and reliable. She resides in western North Carolina with her husband and three children, and values hard work, strong relationships, and serving others in every aspect of her life.

Portrait of Andrea Cervena, CFP® at Barking Sands Capital

Andrea Cervena

CFP®

Andrea Cervena is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with Barking Sands Capital, bringing over 20 years of financial industry experience spanning three continents and multiple sectors including banking, real estate, hospitality, and sports. She holds a BA in International Business and Business Administration from Minot State University and an MA in International Relations from the International University of Japan. Since 2020, Andrea has focused exclusively on personal finance, earning her CFP® designation and assisting clients with Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Education Funding, and Budgeting. Her service-oriented approach and global perspective allow her to craft creative, tailored financial solutions. Outside of work, Andrea is an active volleyball official, cycling community ambassador, and Masters Ski Racing board member.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a retirement plan consultant do?

A retirement plan consultant helps evaluate your current savings, employer plans, investments, tax exposure, income needs, and long-term goals. At Barking Sands Capital, consulting can include 401(k) rollover guidance, Roth conversion analysis, asset distribution planning, Medicare considerations, and coordination with tax, legal, and insurance professionals through a comprehensive planning process.

Do you work with both individuals and business owners?

When should I consider a 401(k) rollover?

How can Roth IRA conversions help retirement planning?

How do you help create retirement income strategies?

Is tax planning included in retirement consulting?

Can you help with Medicare and long-term care planning?

What should I expect during an initial consultation?

Still Have Retirement Planning Questions?

Get clear answers from a retirement planning professional.

Certified Guidance

Awards and Recognition

Certified Financial Planner certification badge

Certified Financial Planner

Advanced credential for comprehensive financial planning guidance.

Chartered Financial Consultant certification badge

Chartered Financial Consultant

Specialized designation for advanced financial consulting.

Life and Health Insurance license badge

Life & Health Licensed

Licensed support for insurance and retirement coordination.

Start Building Your Retirement Strategy

Tell us about your retirement goals, current accounts, business needs, or planning concerns. Our team will follow up to discuss the right next step.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 952-500-8854. You can also send us a quick email at jb@barkingsandscapital.com.