Modern Wealth Management Establishes South Florida Footprint with Acquisition of $1.2B Legacy Wealth Management
Modern Wealth Management is thrilled to announce our official expansion into the Sunshine State through the strategic acquisition of Legacy Wealth Management, a South Florida-based advisory firm. This partnership marks a major milestone for our firm, representing our first local office in Florida and our 20th acquisition since launching in April 2023.
By welcoming Legacy to our independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) platform, we are bringing aboard a highly esteemed eight-person team, including seven veteran financial advisors. The Legacy team oversees approximately $1.2 billion in client assets.
Now operating under the Modern Wealth banner, newly appointed Managing Directors Tony DuBose and Joel Palatnik will continue to serve over 1,400 families across the region. Their South Florida client base, which includes business owners, pilots, trustees, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, will now benefit from our firm’s expanded suite of comprehensive financial planning, estate planning, and investment management services.
“Tony and Joel’s team exemplifies the type of entrepreneurial, client-focused advisors we are proud to welcome to our firm,” Modern Wealth Management President and Co-Founder Jason Gordo said. “Their experience, client relationships and expertise in retirement plans strengthen our platform and support our expansion in the Southeast as we continue to build a national presence.”
Empowering South Florida Advisors to Focus on Clients
Through this integration, the Florida-based team will plug directly into Modern Wealth’s fully integrated platform and Organic Growth Hub. By offloading essential back-office and operational duties, such as compliance, human resources, and chief investment officer (CIO) functions, our South Florida advisors can spend substantially more time doing what they do best: building meaningful relationships and crafting personalized financial strategies for their clients.
For Tony, the decision to join Modern Wealth was driven by a shared vision for community impact and long-term growth.
“If you had asked me three years ago about merging or selling the firm, it would have been a hard no,” Tony shared. “But that all changed when we met the leadership team at Modern Wealth. From the start, they treated this not as a transaction, but as the next phase of growth for our firm, our clients, and our team. Their high level of execution, shared values and commitment to a long-term vision made them the perfect fit—especially as they expand their footprint here in Florida.”
Joel noted that the transition provides the framework needed to accelerate their regional impact while maintaining the boutique, personalized culture that their clients expect.
“Joining Modern Wealth gives us the ability to scale without losing the culture that defines our firm, and to pursue growth without compromising the client relationships we’ve built over decades,” Palatnik said. “With the right infrastructure in place, we see a meaningful opportunity to expand both our wealth and retirement businesses while continuing to deliver the personalized advice our clients expect.”
Enhancing Our Retirement Plan Advisory
In addition to individual wealth management, this partnership brings Legacy Retirement Plan Advisors into the Modern Wealth ecosystem. Overseeing approximately $300 million in retirement plan assets, this specialized division is led by Val Ortega. Her team will seamlessly integrate with Modern Wealth’s national retirement plan consulting group, directed by Michelle Cannan, significantly boosting our corporate retirement planning capabilities in the Florida market.
A Continued Trajectory of National Growth
Backed by investments from Crestview Partners, Modern Wealth Management has rapidly grown to manage over $12 billion in assets across 20 offices nationwide in just under three years. The addition of our new South Florida branch underscores our commitment to building a national platform that anticipates the needs of Americans at every stage of life.
Investment advisory services offered through Modern Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser.
The views expressed represent the opinion of Modern Wealth Management a Registered Investment Adviser. Information provided is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Modern Wealth Management does not accept any liability for the use of the information discussed. Consult with a qualified financial, legal, or tax professional prior to taking any action.