
Maria Laviola

My Mission Statement
About Maria Laviola
- Maria helps empower clients to make sound financial decisions for themselves and their families. She gives attention to understanding deeply her client's interests, passions, and legacy objectives. Maria accomplishes this by developing customized wealth management plans that include goal-specific analysis for retirement planning, education assistance, and asset preservation strategies. Leveraging her experience, clients are able to model complex topics in their financial plans such as stock options, estate planning strategies, and insurance needs. Her Investment Management Consulting process also includes Environmental and Social Governance and sustainable investments.
- Every individual has a unique set of circumstances and resources. Maria manages client wealth with the highest integrity and respect. Morgan Stanley has superior intelligence about every major asset class and utilizes investment research from some of the world's most respected analysts. Maria uses these resources to help her clients achieve their most important goals in an effort to empower clients to pursue their passions.
- Maria holds degrees in Business Management (BS) and Teaching (MAT), she is a member of the Rotary Club of Orange and has volunteered at New Haven Reads, IRIS and The Connecticut Food Bank.
Disclaimers
The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.
NMLS#: 1369294
Your Life, Your Wealth: Planning for Your Financial Future

Your financial goals and priorities will likely shift with time. To help prepare for the road ahead, ask yourself what matters to you and your family long term. Here's how we can get started:
Step 1: Introductory Meeting
Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.
Step 2: Discovery Meeting
During the discovery meeting, we will work together to establish your financial goals by reviewing your current financial situation and developing a suitable risk tolerance that will ultimately help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
Step 3: Financial Plan Presentation
Financial plan presentations map out essential factors that play into your financial success such as your employee and employer contributions, liquidity events, and insurance coverage. Examining all relevant financial information provides a holistic asset allocation analysis for all of your accounts ensuring a comprehensive financial plan.
Step 4: Action Items / Next Steps
After the financial plan presentation, we will follow up with you regarding our analysis and recommendations, which may include adjustments to your financial plan, investment allocation, company benefits and insurance coverage.
Step 5: Implementation Meeting
The implementation meeting focuses on creating prospective strategies custom designed for your specific needs. Recommended changes could include logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustments, and saving and benefit modifications. (3)
Step 6: Monitoring & Performance Tracking
Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

THE SHIFTING WORKFORCE: HOW A CAREER BREAK CAN MEAN MORE THAN JUST TIME OFF
The behaviors and choices of Millennials are profoundly disrupting business and society alike. In Deloitte’s 2019 Millennials survey, they found that 49% would, if they had a choice, quit their current jobs in the next two years.2 This constitutes a major challenge for companies seeking a stable workforce, and a total shift in workforce mindset.
So, if almost half of all Millennials are willing to quit their full-time jobs, what are they considering instead?
According to the study, 84% of Millennials wouldn’t hesitate to jump into freelance or contract work. Those who would consider joining the gig economy cite the chance to earn more money (58%), work the hours they want (41%) or achieve a better work/life balance (37%).3
Many Millennials are taking things a step further, scrapping the idea of a traditional career altogether. Instead, they’re creating careers on their own terms. Examples include deferring a future in civil engineering for a life on the Alaskan frontier as a sled dog musher or retiring at age 38 because of extreme savings. This is part of a new trend called “Millennial burn-out,” a generational shift that has many people making life choices that prioritize fulfilling experiences and relationships over careers.4
With 40% of women taking a break from full-time employment at some point during their career,5 it looks like Millennial women are redefining what that break could mean. The long-term impact of this attitude shift is still unknown but will certainly be seen for decades to come, especially as the percentage of millennial caregivers continues to rise.
If you’re a caregiver, experiencing millennial burn-out and think an alternative career path might be for you, it’s important that you start thinking through your goals and priorities. And then talk with people you trust – like your spouse, family members and even a financial professional. Having a clear plan in place – that balances life, career and financial goals – can make all the difference. Just ask the woman that retired at 38 because of her frugal savings strategies.6
Location
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.
3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
6Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
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Awards Disclosures