Niraj Chhabra, CFP®, MBA, CLTC, CRPC
Financial Planning for Attorneys
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Sidebar Advisors
Niraj Chhabra, CFP®, MBA, CLTC, CRPC
Ramsey, NJ
Serving Clients Nationwide
Financial Planning for Attorneys
Areas of Focus
- Estate Planning
- Financial Life Planning
- Investment Management
- Retirement Planning
- Taxes
About Me
Niraj Chhabra is the Managing Director of SideBar Advisors, with over 18 years of financial experience. He founded SideBar Advisors in 2022 after serving as an advisor with Ameriprise Financial, focusing on clients in the legal profession.His mission is to empower attorneys, particularly women lawyers, to overcome unique tax challenges and adjust their financial plans as their careers progress. Not only does he help attorneys with personal finances, but he also teaches CLEs for law firms & bar associations. Additionally, Niraj hosts the SideBar Advisors podcast, where he interviews attorneys with interesting & successful backgrounds.
➕ Interesting Facts
Niraj enjoys brewing beer, running marathons, gardening, and snowboarding. He starts his day with CrossFit, meditation, and reading. In his free time, he enjoys traveling internationally with his family. Niraj and his wife also regularly volunteer with Oasis, a women’s shelter in Northern NJ.
➕ Qualifications
Niraj received his MBA in finance at Rutgers University in 2015. Before, he attended Montclair State University and graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s in business administration, management, and marketing. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, and the Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designations.
Professional Designations
- Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC)
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
- Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Primary Location
500 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ste 206, Ramsey, NJ
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Based
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Click 'Book Intro Call' and fill out the form or reach out to schedule. We'll take this time to get to know your goals and review your financial situation, helping you spot any gaps. You’ll also experience the same tools and process we use with our clients, giving you a clear picture of what to expect.Offers Investment Management
Yes
About our Firm
Our practice is uniquely focused on attorneys, offering tailored financial advice based on years of experience. Niraj began presenting CLEs on financial planning 15 years ago and has since guided countless lawyers through their distinct financial challenges.We understand that attorneys have varied financial needs:
• In-house lawyers: May need help with stock options and their tax implications.
• Solo practitioners: Require guidance on retirement options for business owners.
• Equity partners: Often need assistance navigating their unique compensation and equity structure, including strategies for deferring earnings.
• Contingency-based attorneys: Face irregular compensation, complicating budgeting and tax planning.
• Newly admitted attorneys: Often struggle to balance student loan repayment with future investing.
Our firm is a trusted resource for lawyers, offering comprehensive financial plans that address tax mitigation, investment solutions, education planning, retirement strategies, student loan repayment, estate planning, insurance guidance, and budgeting.
Investment advisory services are offered through Mariner Platform Solutions, LLC, a SEC registered investment adviser. SideBar Advisors and Mariner Platform Solutions are separate entities.
Education
Niraj received his MBA in finance at Rutgers University in 2015. Before, he attended Montclair State University and graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s in business administration, management, and marketing.
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Gardening
- Reading
- Running
- Snowboarding
- Traveling
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Attorneys
To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.
Reached my Goals and Beyond!
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 8, 2024
I've been working with Niraj and his team for six years. In those 6 years, he has helped me hit all my goals, and then some. Within a year of us working together, Niraj helped me make my first investments, become more knowledgeable about my financial standing, grow my net worth, and buy my condo in Manhattan! Then, within 3 years of working with him, I became confident enough to take bigger risks. For example, I quit my job, traveled the world for 5 months, started my own business, and diversified my portfolio. None of that would have happened if it wasn't for some very transparent and honest conversations with Niraj. He openly lays out all your options and works through every scenario with you so that you get a very good sense of your choices. Definitely an empowering experience that helped open up new possibilities, and propel me forward towards accelerated financial success.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Highly recommend Niraj for practical, goal oriented & trustworthy advice
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 8, 2024
My husband and I are both lawyers in small firms. Deciding to work with an advisor is a daunting task. Niraj has truly removed the inherent stress by understanding the specific pressures on small firm/solo attorneys. He does an excellent job of balancing advice and discussions between personal and business finances. I feel confident I am in good hands both because Niraj is knowledgeable and because he never loses sight of my family's best interests.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Outstanding Service
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 3, 2024
The level of professionalism, dedication and knowledge Niraj has shown me, has exceeded my expectations. The education, and advice I have received has been an integral and impactful part of helping us lay a financial foundation for our future. Every step of the way, every question has been answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. He makes time for me, and is prompt and responsive showing that he truly cares about his clients and values their time. I would not hesitate to recommend Niraj to my family, friends or colleagues.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Niraj Chhabra, very good advisor and a fine human being.
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Oct 1, 2024
My husband and I are retirees in our early seventies. We first met with Niraj about 5 years ago to discuss our financial health as we looked ahead towards our retirement. Fortunately, we had made some good decisions in our 50's and 60's that left us with a substantial nest egg. Niraj projected that we would be able to live comfortably for much longer than we anticipated especially with proper investing and appropriate spending. Despite my husband's initial resistance, after just one or two conversations with Niraj, we were so impressed by him that we decided to turn over management of most of our investment accounts to Niraj. We have not been disappointed.
Niraj's investment model has provided us with portfolios that align with our risk tolerance and our goals and utilizes frequent smart rebalancing to help it remain aligned with those goals. It is not based on speculation or market timing. His approach has worked well so far, although we do realize that some of this success has been due to the overall market performance during the past 4 years. That being said, as long as we are patient, I have little doubt that Niraj's approach will continue to enable us to meet our long term goal of a comfortable retirement and security into our 80's and possibly 90’s. Niraj is generous with his time and has responded to our requests for guidance regarding several of our business and spending decisions. His recommendations have been wise and helpful. We are very satisfied with the GUI at Charles Schwab website and very much appreciate NIraj's use of computer technology during our online meetings. These tools allow us to see our current status, future projections under various scenarios, and marketing information for products in which we might have an interest all at the click of a button. They are immediate and helpful sources of visual aides that enhance our understanding of the information Niraj is passing along.
We also appreciate that Niraj surrounds himself with competent and helpful staff. Ian, his right hand assistant who is now also a licensed CFP, is personable, kind and competent and he has helped us with transactions as well as passing along information to and from Niraj when Niraj is in meetings with other investors. Both Niraj and Ian are "people persons" who care about us and demonstrate a sincere interest in us and our families, not just an interest in our "dollar signs". That is why we have continued to work with Niraj, Ian and other staff members at SideBar advisors even though we have retired south and are no longer able to meet with them person.
Last but not least, I do feel compelled to mention that in learning about Niraj and his family and lifestyle, as well as observing his personal outreach whether it be his gifts at Christmas or his invites to special events (such as the upcoming Octoberfest event which we regretfully cannot attend), it is quite obvious that Niraj's talents go far beyond financial wisdom. I find Niraj to be an ethical, kind and caring human being, a quality individual who inspires my confidence on a regular basis. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to my friends and family members and I think that says a lot about Niraj and all those at Sidebar Advisors.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Really knows his stuff!
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Sep 25, 2024
Niraj was recommended by my in-laws and wow....my life has gotten so much better in just a short amount of time. There are so many tips and tricks he has provided to us that have really improved our financial future. He is readily available to meet and is fantastic at explaining things to someone with limited financial knowledge. My only regret is that we didn't start working with him sooner!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
From one of the "little guys."
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Sep 21, 2024
On the enthusiastic advice of a friend, my wife and I first consulted with Niraj 12 years ago or so. Our investments are not enormous. They are not even large, probably. But for our entire time together Niraj has given of his personal time to help us manage our modest investments. As his business has grown he has assigned us the rmembers of his team to help, but he ALWAYS makes himself available to us two or three times a year. Can't tell you how much he makes us feel like valued and prioritized.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Finally, we have a financial plan!
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 30, 2024
Within just a few days of meeting with Niraj, he had a recommended plan of action to help my wife and I rectify some of the haphazard financial decisions we had made.
We’re now just five months in to implementing our plan and we’ve made great strides. We consolidated our IRA’s, stopped investing in low return assets, invested in disability insurance, and started investing savings. Niraj has a great financial dashboard we can look at anytime, which also has our action plan detailed out, so we’re always able to make sure we’re on track.
Aside from his financial acumen, Niraj is also just a great person to work with. He totally understands our life and work situation, which makes the whole process less taxing and more enjoyable.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Niraj and His Team Are Our Guys!
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 22, 2024
We been with Niraj and his team for many years now. They have always kept our interests at the forefront and make investments accordingly. Whether we were in our more aggressive phase (then) or our more conservative phase (now), Niraj kept us focused and on track. He's flexible and even tempered. Our kids are invested with him too, with just an introduction on our part. They really like him, too. So, he appeals to various age groups. He and his team are consummate, yet patient and kind professionals. we highly recommend them.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Knowledgeable and Trustworthy
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 21, 2024
I could not be happier with the service and professionalism provided from Niraj. Niraj takes a genuine approach to understanding what your short and long term goals are and tailors his service to provide actionable takeaways that can be implemented while also keeping you informed of market changes and how it may affect your portfolio.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Straight forward and reliable advice
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 19, 2024
Niraj provides straight forward, relatable and trustworthy advice. His approach is always tailored to my family's specific needs and priorities at any given juncture. I feel confident sharing my concerns and questions with him and comfortable that I am getting realistic and results driven advice.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Exceeded Expectations
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 15, 2024
I wanted insight into whether I could retire in the next few years. Mr. Chhabra has given me clarity and facts that have really moved me forward. He's made impactful suggestions that I never would have thought of and that no other advisor to date has made. He is great to work with--patient, understanding, friendly. I highly recommend Niraj Chhabra.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Recommendations for SideBar Advisors
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 14, 2024
Niraj has been instrumental in helping us achieve our financial goals. He is an excellent communicator and has helped us navigate market volatility and keep us on track. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Great, knowledgeable, helpful guy
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 11, 2024
Always responds to emails or texts. Willing to listen and answer questions regarding my financial plans.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Highly Recommended
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 11, 2024
We have been with Niraj for approximately 15 years. we are Confident with the Financial Advice that he has given us to meet our goals. When market conditions change, he advises us of changes that should be done. Great Investment Counseling and Advice with our Estate Planning. We Highly Recommend his service to All
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Professionalism
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 11, 2024
I couldn't be more pleased and confident with Niraj. Smart, knowledgeable and reassuring. Been with him for over 15 years and he's never steered my family wrong. He's always been there for us and I can't recommend him enough!!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Professional and Caring
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 10, 2024
Our family has used Niraj as our financial planner for close to 20 years. He has been our bedrock during times of economic turbulence always making sure he listened to our concerns as he guided us to a decision that we felt comfortable with. Now that we are getting closer to the next stage of our lives, we are financially set to meet this stage and it is thanks to Niraj and his professional and caring guidance!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Professional and Respectable
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 9, 2024
Niraj and his associates have been invaluable with their aid in managing my investment portfolio and financial planning. My first child was recently born and I have little free time to manage my portfolio or plan for the future. Niraj and Sidebar Advisors have been highly communicative every step of the way, and have always responded to phone calls or emails with the utmost haste. I know the financial future of myself and my family is in good hands with Niraj at the helm.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
A Very Pleased and Grateful Client
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 9, 2024
Niraj Chhabra has been advising me regarding my finances for over fifteen years. His advice was always clear, concise, and always in my best interests! Now, in retirement, I am comfortable and grateful for Mr. Chhabra's keen evaluation of my accounts and his honest and sincere direction. I am so glad that I entrusted him with our finances and superior guidance. I have recommended Niraj Chhabra to many of my family members and friends and I will continue to do so. I wish him only continued success!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Thorough and Trustworthy
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Aug 9, 2024
Niraj is professional, friendly and takes initiative to schedule regular meetings to stay on top of my short and long term financial goals. He is thorough and trustworthy. I recommend Niraj to anyone interested in financial planning services.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Current Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
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