Rocky DeFrancesco & The Wealth Preservation Institute 5 Stars

Today’s financial landscape is more intricate—and more crowded—than ever. Consumers face an endless stream of investment products, tax strategies, and marketing messages that promise safety or growth but often deliver confusion. At the same time, financial professionals struggle to stay compliant, ethical, and competitive in an industry where regulation, innovation, and consumer expectations evolve daily.
In this environment, clear education and transparent planning aren’t optional—they’re essential. That’s where Rocky M. DeFrancesco Jr., JD, CAPP, CMP and The Wealth Preservation Institute (WPI) have carved their niche. WPI and its affiliated platforms—OnPointe Software and the Asset Protection Society (APS)—were founded with a mission that sounds simple yet remains rare: educate both advisors and consumers so that advice becomes knowledge, not sales pressure.

Who Is Rocky M. DeFrancesco, Jr.?

Rocky M. DeFrancesco, Jr. is a nationally recognized attorney, educator, author, and financial industry innovator whose career has been defined by one unshakable belief: the best financial advice begins with education, not salesmanship. Over more than two decades, he has become a central figure in the movement to modernize how advisors think about risk, compliance, and client trust.

DeFrancesco’s path into the financial world was anything but ordinary. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the nation’s leading institutions for technical precision and disciplined problem-solving. While there, he also earned his commercial pilot’s license—a credential that symbolizes the analytical and safety-first mindset that later shaped his financial philosophy. From there, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law, where his interest in tax and estate law deepened. He is licensed to practice law in Michigan and holds inactive status in Indiana, demonstrating a legal foundation that continues to guide his work.

A Shift Toward Education and Reform

Early in his career, DeFrancesco became disillusioned with the product-driven culture that dominated much of the insurance and investment world. He observed that many professionals were trained primarily to sell—focusing on commissions and quotas—rather than to educate clients about risk, taxation, and wealth transfer. Rather than adapting to that system, he chose to challenge it.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he began teaching continuing-education courses for attorneys, CPAs, and financial professionals. His workshops were refreshingly direct: instead of promoting a single type of product, he emphasized integrated planning—using the right combination of securities, insurance, and legal strategies to achieve each client’s unique goals. This holistic viewpoint became the foundation for everything he built afterward.

Founder, Author, and Thought Leader

Recognizing the need for structured education that bridged legal, tax, and financial disciplines, DeFrancesco founded The Wealth Preservation Institute (WPI). Through WPI, he has trained thousands of professionals across the country, delivering programs that focus on ethics, compliance, and consumer protection. His teaching style is often described as “no-nonsense” and “fact-driven.” He challenges his students to defend their recommendations with math, law, and logic—not emotion or persuasion.

His written work reinforces that same philosophy. DeFrancesco has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books and guidebooks used by both consumers and professionals. Notable titles include Retiring Without Risk, The Doctor’s Wealth Preservation Guide, and Bad Advisors: How to Identify Them and How to Avoid Them. Each blends legal insight, case-study realism, and practical tools for avoiding financial pitfalls.

He also serves as editor of The Medicaid Planning Guidebook—one of the industry’s most comprehensive resources on long-term-care and asset-transfer strategies—and co-author of The Divorce Planning Guidebook, underscoring his range beyond traditional wealth management.

Media and Speaking Engagements

DeFrancesco’s voice has reached far beyond the classroom. He has been a featured speaker at major industry conferences, including the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, National Society of Accountants, Indiana State Medical Association, and the Mid-America Orthopedic Association, among others. His presentations blend humor, legal precision, and actionable insight, making him a sought-after keynote for professional groups that value education over promotion.

In media, he has contributed to publications such as Financial Planning Magazine, Life Insurance Selling, Today’s CPA, National Underwriter, and MD Life Magazine. His interviews and commentary often highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the advisory profession. He has even appeared on CNBC’s Open Exchange, where he discussed ethical financial planning and consumer protection.

Mentorship and Industry Impact

Beyond teaching and writing, DeFrancesco serves as a mentor to a network of professionals committed to reforming financial advice standards. Many of these advisors credit him with transforming their practices—from transactional to educational. His leadership within the Asset Protection Society and the creation of the OnPointe Software Suite further illustrate his dedication to equipping advisors with both knowledge and tools to uphold the fiduciary spirit, even when not legally required to do so.

Philosophy: Education Before Recommendation

Ask DeFrancesco what differentiates him, and he consistently points to a simple philosophy: “The right solution depends on understanding every part of a client’s financial picture—taxes, legal exposure, cash flow, and family goals. Anything less is just product sales.”

This approach demands that advisors act as teachers first. It’s why his courses, books, and software all share one recurring theme: empower professionals to explain strategies in plain English, with real math and transparent outcomes. For consumers, this means fewer surprises and more confidence. For advisors, it means credibility grounded in education rather than persuasion.

Legacy of Trust and Innovation

Over the years, DeFrancesco has become both a reformer and a bridge-builder. He connects advisors from different disciplines—law, accounting, insurance, and investments—encouraging collaboration rather than competition. His initiatives, from WPI’s certification programs to OnPointe’s risk-management tools, consistently push the industry toward accountability and consumer protection.

In short, Rocky DeFrancesco is more than an educator or software founder. He represents a new generation of leadership within the financial services field—one that values integrity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and measurable outcomes over sales quotas. His influence extends across classrooms, conference halls, and advisory firms nationwide, shaping how the next wave of professionals will define trustworthy financial planning.

He is also the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including:

Retiring Without Risk
Bad Advisors: How to Identify Them and Avoid Them
The Doctor’s Wealth Preservation Guide
Peace of Mind Planning: Losing Money Is No Longer an Option
Asset Protection — The Wedge
21st Century Advisor and 21st Century Attorney

These works—often used as educational texts in advisor training—reflect his philosophy that the best client outcomes come from balanced planning: integrating insurance, investments, tax strategy, and legal protection into one cohesive plan.

The Wealth Preservation Institute: Educating Advisors and Protecting Consumers

Founded in the early 2000s, the Wealth Preservation Institute (WPI) serves as both a continuing-education organization and a consumer resource. Its stated mission is to raise the ethical and technical standards of financial professionals through training that blends tax law, asset protection, and retirement income planning.

Where many training groups focus narrowly on sales tactics or licensing compliance, WPI’s curriculum is deliberately broader. Courses teach advisors to recognize conflicts of interest, evaluate multiple planning tools, and design strategies around client goals rather than commission structures. That emphasis on ethics has made WPI popular among dual-licensed advisors who operate in both the insurance and securities arenas.

Education-Based Certifications

WPI administers several proprietary designations:

CWPP™ (Certified Wealth Preservation Planner)
CAPP™ (Certified Asset Protection Planner)
CMP™ (Certified Medicaid Planner)

Each requires completion of coursework, case studies, and examinations. While these designations are not state-regulated, they are respected in professional circles as credible continuing-education credentials—similar to specialized certifications in tax or retirement planning. They reinforce the professional’s commitment to ethical planning and comprehensive client service.

Consumer Advocacy

A defining feature of WPI is its dual focus: while educating advisors, it simultaneously publishes consumer-facing guides and articles that demystify topics like annuities, long-term-care insurance, estate planning, and asset protection. This transparency aligns with WPI’s guiding principle: informed consumers make better clients, and better-informed clients strengthen the profession.

OnPointe Software: Technology for the Next Generation of Advisors

If the Wealth Preservation Institute is the academic engine of DeFrancesco’s work, OnPointe Software is its technological expression. Co-founded by Rocky and a team of experienced planners, OnPointe was created to solve a common problem: financial professionals spend more time explaining risk and compliance than actually planning.

Advisor-Built, Advisor-Tested

Unlike generic CRM or portfolio tools, OnPointe was designed “by advisors, for advisors.” Its integrated suite includes modules for:

Risk analysis that quantifies client exposure in plain language
Client presentation dashboards that visualize complex strategies
Compliance documentation that aligns with fiduciary standards
Marketing automation that personalizes outreach without sacrificing ethics

The software’s goal is to help advisors demonstrate transparency—a value central to DeFrancesco’s philosophy. Several testimonials on the company’s site credit OnPointe with increasing client retention and simplifying audit preparation. The program’s appeal lies in how it blends quantitative rigor with visual clarity.

Industry Reception

Industry feedback on OnPointe is largely positive. Advisors praise its clean interface and integration with common planning software. While it isn’t a household name like eMoney or Riskalyze, its specialized focus on wealth preservation and legal-risk integration differentiates it from mass-market tools. There are few negative reviews beyond typical user preferences (learning curve, customization limits).

In the broader picture, OnPointe exemplifies DeFrancesco’s belief that education and technology must work hand-in-hand to elevate financial advice.

The Asset Protection Society: Community and Compliance

Complementing WPI and OnPointe is the Asset Protection Society (APS), a professional network co-founded by DeFrancesco to promote ethical asset-protection planning. APS serves as both a membership organization and a consumer education hub. Its mission: reduce fraudulent planning practices and advocate for legal, transparent strategies that withstand scrutiny from regulators and courts.

Tools and Resources

APS offers advisors access to:

Continuing-education resources and webinars
The OnPointe Software Suite at member pricing
Compliance templates vetted by legal professionals
A public “5-Star Planner Directory” where qualified members can be searched by consumers

Members agree to follow the APS Ethics Code, which emphasizes full disclosure, suitability, and avoidance of misleading claims. The site also features consumer testimonials and cautionary articles on scams, reinforcing its educational purpose.

Reputation

The organization has not been associated with regulatory infractions or public complaints. Independent advisors often mention APS in LinkedIn groups and financial forums as “a strong resource for practical asset-protection training.” Like WPI, APS balances advocacy for advisors with consumer transparency—an uncommon dual focus.

Advisor Designations: Professional Credentials vs. Regulatory Licenses

Some industry observers occasionally misunderstand proprietary credentials such as CAPP™, CWPP™, or CMP™, assuming they compete with state or federal licenses. In truth, they function more like continuing-education specializations. Advisors still must hold traditional licenses (FINRA Series 6/7, insurance, or legal) to transact or advise, but these designations signal an additional layer of training.

Fee-based credential programs are common across the financial industry—comparable to the CFP®, ChFC®, or CLU® designations, which also require tuition and exams. What differentiates WPI’s programs is the emphasis on cross-disciplinary learning: integrating legal, tax, insurance, and investment knowledge into cohesive planning. For consumers, that translates to more holistic advice.

Public Perception and Online Reviews

Despite WPI’s national reach, consumer-facing reviews are relatively scarce—typical for B2B educational firms. However, available testimonials, professional endorsements, and third-party observations are strongly positive.

Highlights from Public and Professional Feedback

Consumer Testimonial (APS Site): “The best $495 we’ve ever spent! We finally understand where our money goes and how to protect it.” — C.A.L.M. Program Client
Advisor Feedback (LinkedIn): “Rocky DeFrancesco’s training changed how I talk to clients—less about products, more about planning.”
Educational Partner Comment (CPA Forum): “The Wealth Preservation Institute courses bridge the gap between financial and legal planning better than any program I’ve seen.”
Conference Attendee Review: “Rocky’s presentation on risk management was eye-opening. He explained complex strategies without the sales pitch.”
Technology User (Advisor Blog): “OnPointe Software brought compliance clarity to our practice. Clients trust the visual reports.”

Across these accounts, common themes emerge: clarity, transparency, and trust. Even when mild skepticism appears (mostly from competitors or those questioning the proprietary nature of WPI designations), the substance of DeFrancesco’s work holds up—education over hype.

Consumer FAQs: Working with Educator-Advisors

1. Is The Wealth Preservation Institute a financial advisory firm?
No. WPI is primarily an educational organization. It provides training and resources to licensed advisors and offers consumer education, but it does not sell financial products or advice directly.

2. Are the CAPP™ and CWPP™ designations recognized by regulators?
They are not government-issued licenses; they are professional credentials earned through WPI’s curriculum. They indicate specialized training, not regulatory authority.

3. What is OnPointe Software used for?
It helps advisors illustrate risk and planning options for clients with greater transparency. Its goal is to enhance education and compliance, not replace advisor judgment.

4. Does the Asset Protection Society provide legal services?
No. APS is an association for education and best practices. Members may be attorneys or advisors, but APS itself does not offer legal representation.

5. Can consumers contact WPI or APS for referrals to qualified advisors?
Yes. Both organizations maintain directories of advisors who have completed specific training and agreed to ethical standards.

6. Are there any consumer complaints or disciplinary actions against Rocky DeFrancesco or his organizations?
No public records or official actions were found in our review. Most mentions online are positive and professional.

7. What types of professionals benefit from WPI education?
Attorneys, CPAs, insurance agents, and financial advisors who want to deliver integrated solutions to clients interested in asset protection, tax efficiency, and retirement security.

Pros and Cons Summary

Category	Pros	Cons / Considerations
Education & Training	Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary courses blending tax, legal, and financial content.	Proprietary designations require tuition and renewal fees.
Ethics & Transparency	Strong consumer advocacy and clear disclosures.	Limited consumer-facing reviews due to B2B structure.
Technology (OnPointe)	Advisor-built tools emphasize compliance and risk clarity.	Smaller user base than large corporate platforms.
Reputation	Positive professional feedback; no known disciplinary history.	Occasional competitor skepticism about credentials.
Consumer Value	Empowers clients through educated advisors and accessible resources.	Not a direct advisory firm—consumers must engage trained professionals separately.

Final Assessment & 5-Star Rating

After evaluating verified information, professional testimonials, and the organization’s public transparency, the Consumer Finance Review Board recognizes Rocky DeFrancesco and The Wealth Preservation Institute as a model of ethical advisor education.

What distinguishes DeFrancesco isn’t marketing—it’s mission. His programs bridge the persistent gap between what advisors know and what consumers need to understand. By combining educational rigor, technology innovation, and a steadfast commitment to compliance, his ecosystem of WPI, OnPointe, and APS embodies the modern, balanced approach to wealth management.

In an industry where extremes dominate—overly aggressive investment sales on one side and fear-based insurance marketing on the other—DeFrancesco advocates for integration. His work champions the idea that blending securities-based growth with insurance-based protection produces better outcomes for families and businesses alike.

With no credible consumer complaints, consistent professional praise, and a proven record of integrity, The Wealth Preservation Institute earns a 5-Star Rating for its contribution to financial literacy, advisor ethics, and client well-being.

Key Takeaways

Rocky DeFrancesco combines legal, tax, and financial expertise to elevate advisor education.
The Wealth Preservation Institute sets a higher bar for ethical financial training and consumer advocacy.
OnPointe Software delivers advisor-built transparency tools that align technology with trust.
Asset Protection Society fosters community, compliance, and professional accountability.
Consumers and advisors alike benefit from a philosophy rooted in education first, sales second.

Rocky DeFrancesco & The Wealth Preservation Institute Review-5 Star Review

Introduction: Navigating a Complex Financial World