My Story & Services

My Story
Achieving financial success isn't easy. You've worked hard to build a meaningful life for yourself and your family. I believe that protecting your principal and your financial future are critical next steps, and they require careful planning. That's where I come in. I provide comprehensive wealth management, so that you're free to focus on what makes your life meaningful: your passions, your goals, and your family.

I believe in a disciplined and organized approach to wealth management. I am thorough, methodical, and I constantly evaluate your progress against your predetermined goals. I believe it is critical to grow wealth within a strict margin of safety, and still maintain the purchasing power of my clients' capital throughout their lifetimes.

I work hard, but I don't work alone. In helping to manage your financial affairs, I often work hand-in-hand with other trusted advisors; with your attorneys, agents, and CPAs, as needed. My aim is to help you meet your unique needs and aspirations. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with trusted professionals, as it helps create a coordinated, all-encompassing wealth guidance strategy.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, I put my extensive knowledge and insight to work for you – whether you're running your own business, approaching retirement, or securing your family's legacy. Generations of families have trusted me with their wealth management. Why? Because I offer an unwavering commitment to concierge-level client care and a meticulous attention to detail. I follow up and I follow through – always. I take great pride in the professional quality of my work and believe deeply in personal accountability. With an uncompromising work ethic – I help build, preserve, and protect your wealth so that you can forget about the financial details and pursue a life well-lived.

Services Include
Securities Agent: AK, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IN, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TX, UT, VT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1395579
CA Insurance License #: 0N02649
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Financial Planning

In order to create a sound financial strategy, I want a deep understanding of you and your goals. I want to know the future you envision and the past that brought you here. What keeps you up at night? How do you envision life when you retire? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave your heirs? I ask these questions and more, and I listen intently. Then I create a customized financial plan – a virtual road map that we monitor and adjust as needed to help keep you on track.
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    1) Discovery Process
    I take the time to fully understand you and your family - whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your golden years - I consider all of your challenges, goals, and aspirations when building your financial picture.
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    2) Forming Your Strategy
    Using your life goals as our compass, I create a risk-balanced strategy which maps a clear path to achieving your success.
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    3) Implementing Your Plan
    I apply extensive research and analysis, and also utilize Morgan Stanley's full suite of resources, to ensure swift decisive action in all market scenarios.

    To begin your complimentary financial planning analysis, please click the link below.
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    4) Measuring Your Success
    I will check in with you to deliver metrics around your portfolio, and ultimately measure trajectory towards your goals. My ultimate mission is your success and well-being.
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    LifeView - Intelligent Planning
    LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that I can use with my clients to create a realistic, integrated strategy which incorporates an individual's financial life, including investment and cash management needs. Fill out the questionnaire to get start and contact me.
    View LifeView Client Questionnaire

My Valued Clients

My clients are successful, driven, and expect excellence. They’re busy executives, business owners, and families who have often accumulated significant wealth, but need help managing and ultimately transferring their assets. Most have been with me a long time, many for over two decades.

I educate my clients on their investments so that they are confident in understanding what they own. I also educate their children and grandchildren – not only on the power of investing at a young age, but on the investment philosophy that was important to their parents or grandparents.

I take great pride in guiding multigenerational families through life’s financial challenges, while preserving their shared values and lasting family legacy. I am honored by the faith my clients place in me, and work to earn that trust every day.
My team and I help our clients:
  • Minimize taxes
  • Optimize investment performance
  • Manage risk and provide family protection
  • Finance a major aquisition
  • Achieve long-term philanthropic goals
  • Pass wealth to the next generation effectively
My clients include:
  • Successful individuals and multiple generations of families
  • Professionals in the healthcare, legal, technology and financial fields
  • Business owners and entrepreneurs
  • Women seeking guidance for themselves and their families
  • Individuals faced with a major life event, such as a divorce, loss of a spouse or an inheritance
  • Referrals from existing clients and industry professionals

Awards

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Five Star Wealth Manager
Five Star Professional conducts research to help consumers with the important decision of selecting a service professional. The Five Star award is presented to wealth managers, real estate agents, mortgage professionals, home/auto insurance professionals and dentists in more than 45 markets in the U.S. and Canada. The Five Star award recognizes service professionals who provide quality services to their clients.

Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2014-2025) These awards were determined through an evaluation process conducted by Five Star Professional, based on objective criteria, during the periods 2014-2025.
Years Awarded:

  • 2025 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2022 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2021 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2020 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2018 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2017 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2016 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2015 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 2014 Five Star Wealth Manager Award

Morgan Stanley Resources

At Morgan Stanley, we provide clients with easily digestible financial analysis from our market research experts. The links below provide further insight on the markets and economic landscape as well as our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life.
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    The GIC Weekly
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
    Click here for the latest GIC
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    On The Markets
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Click here for more
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    How to Handle Volatility
    Markets have gotten much more volatile recently. Here’s why investors should keep their focus on the long game.
    Click here to learn more
    Morgan Stanley Online (photo) - DO NOT EDIT CONTENT - MUST USE AS IS
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
    Register for Morgan Stanley Online Today
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    Total Wealth View
    Managing multiple financial accounts across different firms can be complicated. With Morgan Stanley Online and Total Wealth View, you can link your non-Morgan Stanley accounts and analyze your cash flow all in one place.
    Click here to learn more
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    Tax Management
    The tax decisions you make today can help you save for years to come. Consider these smart tax strategies for your financial plan. Read more from Morgan Stanley's Tax Management site below.
    Click here to learn more
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    2025 Tax Tables
    This helpful resource outlines the 2025 tax rate schedule, education and health savings account limits, retirement contribution and deduction limits, among other information.
    See Tax Tables
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    Investing in an Election Year
    As the 2024 U.S. general election draws closer, many investors want to know how the outcome could impact their financial lives. Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Office believes the policies that emerge post-election on taxes, Social Security and health care could significantly shape investment and financial-planning strategies in the coming years.
    Read More

Location

150 Jfk Parkway 2nd
Fl
Short Hills, NJ 07078
US
Direct:
(973) 921-6426(973) 921-6426
Toll-Free:
(888) 714-5619(888) 714-5619
Fax:
(973) 287-4792(973) 287-4792

Meet My Team

About Stuart Margulis

Stuart E. Margulis is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Stuart focuses on financial planning and comprehensive wealth management for executives, business owners, and families who have often accumulated significant wealth.

A graduate of Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Stuart started his career at the boutique fixed income firm J.B. Hanauer in 1995. There, he specialized in municipal bonds for high net worth individuals. RBC Wealth Management eventually purchased the firm, and in 2011, Stuart joined Morgan Stanley so he could offer his clients more comprehensive wealth management.

Selected as a Five Star Wealth Manager every year from 2014 through 2025, Stuart’s focus is to help clients build a successful wealth management plan so that they are free to concentrate on their passions, their family, and their goals. He does this by creating a customized financial plan – a virtual road map that he monitors and adjusts as needed to keep his clients on track. Stuart believes in protecting and building client net worth carefully focusing on value, diversification, and risk mitigation. With an uncompromising work ethic and a meticulous attention to detail – he helps build, preserve, and protect clients' wealth so that they can forget about the financial details and pursue a life well-lived.

In his free time, Stuart is an avid tennis player, enjoys mountain biking, and playing the drums. Married and living in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, he loves playing with his two boys as often as he can.

2014-2025 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2014-2025) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
Securities Agent: AK, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IN, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TX, UT, VT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
CA Insurance License #: 0N02649

About Vincent Todisco

Vincent Todisco joined our team as a six-year associate of Morgan Stanley having previously worked in the Durham, North Carolina; Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters, and Harding, NJ offices. He was born and raised in New York City. After graduating with an MBA from Wagner College, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2016 to begin his career with Morgan Stanley. His career has spanned the firm’s Wealth Management, Private Wealth Management, International Wealth Management, and Sports & Entertainment divisions. He is knowledgeable on Alternative Investing, Structured Investments, Options Trading, Global Currencies, and International Accounts.

Vincent is an avid music fan and attends frequent concerts. He has previously worked with the marketing teams of several record labels, and has been able to meet a number of musicians over the years. He is also a travel enthusiast with a goal of visiting all fifty states and as many countries as possible.

Hear from Our Clients

Testimonial(s) solicited by Morgan Stanley and provided by current client(s) at the time of publication. No compensation of any kind was provided in exchange for the client testimonial(s) presented. Client testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are not a guarantee of future performance or success.

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The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Don Janevski

Don Janevski is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in New Jersey.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Don began his career in financial services in 2003 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Mortgage Loan Consultant and a Mortgage Product Specialist with Silver Financial Capital Group, as well as a Branch Manager with First Lenders Mortgage.

Don is a graduate of the Montclair State University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management. He lives in Emerson, NJ with his family. Outside of the office, Don enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and painting.
NMLS#: 197095

About Adam Guralnick

Adam Guralnick is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in New Jersey.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Adam began his career in financial services in 2002, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at UBS. He also served as a UHNW Associate Private Banker at Citi Private Bank and a Merrill Lynch Banking Advisor.

Adam is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Arts in Informatics. He lives in Livingston, New Jersey with his family. Outside of the office, Adam enjoys traveling, sports, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 1114313
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Stuart Margulis today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan Stanley 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 consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and 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 matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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8When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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9Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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10Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

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.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Testimonial(s) solicited by Morgan Stanley and provided by current client(s) at the time of publication.  No compensation of any kind was provided in exchange for the client testimonial(s) presented.  Client testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are not a guarantee of future performance or success.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)