Freehold Wealth Management, a Landrum, South Carolina-based estate planning firm run by three family members, has moved its approximately $576 million in client assets to Osaic's independent broker-dealer network. The firm previously operated under Stifel Independent Advisors, which was acquired by Equitable Advisors in a deal completed in February 2026.
The practice was founded by Cynthia “Cindy” Boyle and her husband John Boyle, and later expanded to include their daughter, Mary Steele, who now serves as managing partner. Beyond its Carolinas base, the firm serves clients in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, focusing on estate and trust-oriented guidance for a diverse clientele.
In announcing the affiliation, the team highlighted Osaic's scale, its curated asset management capabilities through Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, and the breadth of its succession-planning resources. For a firm positioning itself as a multigenerational business, succession planning was a key factor. “Freehold Wealth Management has always been built around family, trusted relationships, and helping clients plan thoughtfully for the future,” said Cindy Boyle. “Osaic offers the scale and depth of resources we were seeking while preserving the close-knit, entrepreneurial environment that is central to our culture.”
Mary Steele echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the firm's long-term ambitions. “I'm focused on building our family business into a firm that can serve clients and their families for decades to come,” she said. “Osaic's community, succession-planning capabilities, and broad wealth management resources give us a strong foundation for that next chapter.”
The move is part of Osaic's broader strategy to attract firms with an eye on continuity. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based platform, which supports more than 11,000 financial professionals and is backed by private equity firm Reverence Capital Partners, has made succession planning a recurring theme. In 2025, Osaic made a majority investment in Innovative Wealth Team, a Nashville-based firm providing succession planning services for advisors nearing retirement, citing projections that more than $124 trillion in assets will transfer generationally by 2048. The platform also deepened a partnership with succession-planning software provider RISR last year.
Shannon Reid, president of Osaic and head of advisor growth and engagement, noted a personal connection to Freehold's leadership through shared work on the Financial Services Institute Board. “Freehold Wealth Management represents the type of entrepreneurial, client-focused firm that thrives at Osaic,” Reid said. “They built a meaningful multigenerational business grounded in personal service and long-term relationships, and we are proud to support their continued growth.”
The affiliation follows other recent additions to Osaic's network, including Pearce Financial, Signature Private Wealth Management, and Neville & Associates. Advisors joining Freehold as part of the transition include Shelley Strobel-Erhardt, James Thornton, Mark Bloomer, Michael Wiseman, and Jerry Pyles.
For advisors considering similar moves, the trend underscores the importance of estate planning conflicts and the need for robust succession tools. Osaic's aggressive recruitment, including a $2.3B LPL team, signals intensifying competition among broker-dealers. As the industry grapples with an aging advisor population, family communication remains a critical component of successful transitions.
