Forta Wealth Partners, a newly launched independent wealth management firm based in Indianapolis, has entered the market with a strategic minority investment from Elevation Point.
Forta Wealth Partners operates as a trade name of Elevation Point Wealth Partners, an SEC registered investment adviser. The advisory team said it oversees more than $900 million in assets under supervision carried over from its prior firm.
The group previously operated as The Turner Group within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. And the practice is led by principals and wealth advisors Will Turner, Jon Shurtz, and Harrison “Taylor” McDougal, and serves clients that include C-suite executives, business owners, multi-generational families, physicians, endowments, non-profit organizations, and professional athletes.
In addition to wealth advisory work, the team provides retirement plan advisory services to companies that sponsor 401(k) plans. As part of its launch, the firm said it will benefit from Elevation Point’s collaboration with Goldman Sachs, including access to Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions for custody, clearing, and certain brokerage services.
Forta said its client base spans 26 states, with a strong presence in Indiana and additional concentrations in Florida, California, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas. The firm positioned the move to independence as a way to broaden planning and investment resources, expand technology, communicate more seamlessly with clients, and market more freely to prospective clients, while maintaining control over the business.
Elevation Point, founded about 19 months ago, described the Forta investment as part of its strategy to partner with independent advisors and breakaway teams through minority stake arrangements. The firm said it has made strategic investments in elite independent wealth management teams totaling approximately $11.9 billion in client assets under supervision as of December 2025, and recently announced the launch of Harbor View Private Wealth, a $1.3 billion Atlanta based firm, earlier in January.
Disclosures in the announcement stated that Forta Wealth Partners is a trade name and not separately registered with the SEC, and that SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The release also noted that the announcement is for informational purposes and not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities.
KEY QUOTES
“For us, independence is about the freedom to deliver a truly differentiated client experience.”
“Launching an independent firm in partnership with Elevation Point provides access to best-in-class resources and support to enhance what we do best, while ensuring we remain in full control of our business and true to the values that have earned our clients’ trust.”
Will Turner, Principal and Wealth Advisor, Forta Wealth Partners
“From being able to access the latest innovative financial planning software and alternative investments to communicating more seamlessly with clients and freely marketing ourselves to prospects, this launch lays the groundwork for scalable growth for years to come,”
“Our guiding priority has always been our clients’ best interests. With greater flexibility to aggregate and advise on external assets, we can now broaden our advice and deliver even more comprehensive support.”
Jon Shurtz, Principal and Wealth Advisor, Forta Wealth Partners
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Will since he started at Merrill Lynch, and I’ve witnessed firsthand his growth and the incredible team he has built.”
“Will, Jon, Taylor, and their colleagues bring deep, wide-ranging expertise and more than 60 years of combined experience.”
“As a youthful, seasoned team with a relentless drive to exceed client expectations and continuously evolve, they represent the future of wealth management.”
Jim Dickson, Founding Partner and CEO, Elevation Point
“The Forta Wealth Partners team exemplifies the kind of excellence, client focus, and growth mindset we look for in our partner firms.”
“We are proud to be well-positioned to support and invest in advisory teams that are ready to thrive in independence.”
“Whether they are coming from a wirehouse or an established RIA, we provide the fuel and support to take them where they want to go.”
Brad Smithy, CIMA, Founding Partner and President of Wealth Management, Elevation Point
