Families in Transition
Whether you're navigating retirement, an inheritance, or a business sale, Nick helps you make clear decisions at the moments that carry the most weight.
Claro Advisors
Nicholas Desousa
Nick DeSousa helps individuals and families navigate the moments that matter most — retirement, business transitions, and major life changes — with a plan built around their goals, not a template.
About your advisor
Nick DeSousa
Wealth Advisor
Nick DeSousa's path to financial planning started not in a boardroom, but in the United States Marine Corps. As the financial officer for Marines stationed at U.S. Embassies worldwide, Nick saw firsthand what it meant for a family to be left without a solid financial plan — and he's never forgotten it.
He went on to build a 20-year career in wealth management, working with high-net-worth clients at US Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Manhattan and Wells Fargo Private Bank in Greenwich, CT before joining Claro.
Nick's approach is deeply consultative: he starts with who you are and where you want to go, then builds a plan around investment management, financial planning, estate strategies, and tax planning that actually fits your life. He lives in Narragansett, RI with his wife Jennifer, son Mason, and their Mini Doodle, Sandy.
clients & services
Nick's Focus
Pre-Retirees & Retirees
Nick works with clients approaching or entering retirement to build income strategies designed to endure — with a plan that evolves as your life does.
Business Owners
Selling a business is one of the biggest financial events of your life. Nick brings the planning and tax awareness to help you preserve and build on what you've worked for.
Investment Management
Evidence-based portfolio management tailored to your goals — not a one-size-fits-all model. Nick draws on 20 years of working with high-net-worth clients.
Financial & Estate Planning
From retirement income planning to legacy and estate strategies, Nick brings the depth of experience to get the details right.
Tax-Aware Strategies
Good financial planning isn't just about growing wealth — it's about keeping more of it. Nick integrates tax awareness across every recommendation he makes.
Process
How Nick Works With You
01
Start with Your Story
Before anything else, Nick wants to understand you — your goals, your family situation, and what a successful financial life looks like on your terms. Every plan starts here.
02
Build the Right Plan
Nick designs a financial plan around your specific picture: investment approach, tax strategy, estate considerations, and income planning, all working together.
03
Put It in Motion
Once your plan is in place, Nick implements it — coordinating investments, strategies, and structures so everything is aligned and working.
04
Stay Ahead of What's Next
Life changes. Nick reviews your plan on an ongoing basis and adjusts as your situation evolves — proactively, not reactively.
Perspective
A Marine's Lesson About Money
Nick DeSousa didn't plan on becoming a financial advisor. He planned on serving his country. But it was during his time in the Marine Corps — managing the financial affairs of Marines stationed at U.S. Embassies across the globe — that the stakes of financial planning became real to him.
When Marines leave home for extended tours abroad, their families are left behind. Nick saw what it meant to help those families have a sound plan in place. He earned two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for his contributions supporting Marines and the State Department.
That sense of responsibility has never left him. Today, Nick brings the same precision and care to every client relationship — because the stakes are always real.
faqs
Common Questions
What types of clients do you typically work with?
Nick works primarily with individuals and families navigating significant financial transitions — retirement, the sale of a business, or an inheritance. Many of his clients are high-net-worth individuals who have reached a point in life where having a clear, coordinated financial plan really matters. If you're managing meaningful wealth and want a thoughtful advisor in your corner, Nick's approach is built for you.
What services do you provide?
Nick offers financial planning, investment management, estate planning strategies, and tax-aware portfolio management. His work is consultative by nature — he takes the time to understand your full picture before making any recommendations, and builds plans that address your goals across all of these areas together, not in isolation.
How do you charge for your services?
Claro Advisors is a fee-only, fiduciary RIA — which means we're compensated only by our clients, never by commissions or product sales. Our fees are based on assets under management, and that fee covers financial planning, investment management, and ongoing access to your advisor. Additional costs may apply, including custodial fees, fund-level expenses, or third-party manager fees, depending on your portfolio. I'll walk you through the full fee structure in our first conversation. Our full fee schedule is described in our Form ADV Part 2A, available at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160294 or upon request.
What does getting started look like?
The first step is a conversation. Nick will take the time to understand your situation, what you're trying to accomplish, and whether there's a good fit. From there, he'll walk you through what a working relationship looks like and what your financial plan would cover.
What makes your approach different?
Nick brings two unique backgrounds: deep institutional experience from US Trust and Wells Fargo Private Bank, and a personal belief — shaped by military service — in what sound financial planning actually means for a family. He's not selling a product. He's building a plan. That combination of experience and purpose is what drives how Nick approaches every client relationship.
Start a conversation with Nicholas Desousa
Important Disclosures
This microsite has been prepared by Nick DeSousa, a financial advisor with Claro Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser (CRD No. 160294). The information presented is intended to describe Nick's background, services, and general approach to financial planning. It does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any security.
Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Services and Scope: Claro Advisors provides investment management and financial planning services. References to tax planning describe general financial planning considerations only and do not constitute tax advice. Clients should consult a qualified tax professional or attorney for tax return preparation, legal matters, or jurisdiction-specific guidance.
Investment Risk: All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy or financial plan will achieve its objectives. Actual results will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Tax Outcomes: Tax strategies and tax-aware planning approaches are intended to seek opportunities to improve after-tax outcomes. Tax results are not guaranteed and will vary based on each client's individual tax situation, applicable law, and other factors outside the adviser's control. Clients should consult a tax professional regarding their specific circumstances.
Financial Planning: Financial planning and goal-based strategies are designed to help clients work toward their objectives. Engaging in planning does not guarantee any specific financial outcome. Results depend on many factors, including market conditions, individual behavior, and circumstances that cannot be predicted or controlled.
Compensation: Claro Advisors is a fee-only registered investment adviser. Compensation is based solely on fees paid by clients. Claro Advisors does not receive commissions or compensation from product sales. A full description of our fee schedule and compensation arrangements is available in our Form ADV Part 2A at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160294 or upon request.
Form ADV: Claro Advisors' Form ADV Part 2A and Part 2B, which describe our services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history, are available upon request or at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/160294. Prospective clients are encouraged to review these documents before engaging our services.