Financial Advisor Screening Kit: Find a Fiduciary Who Actually Works for You

What's Inside

It is built for people who want sharper questions, cleaner comparisons, and much less dependence on a polished sales pitch.

• A list of 20 questions to ask any financial advisor so every conversation covers fiduciary duty, services, process, and conflicts.
• A fee structure decoder that breaks down AUM, fee-only, and commission models into what you are likely to pay in practice.
• A red flag checklist covering the seven most common warning signs of a weak or conflicted advisor relationship.
• A NAPFA and XY Planning Network lookup guide paired with CFP credential verification instructions so background checks are easier to run.
• A Form ADV reading guide that helps you interpret the disclosure document advisors file with regulators.
• A robo-advisor versus human advisor decision tree so you can choose the right level of service before paying human-advice prices.
• An interview scorecard template that makes it easier to compare advisors side by side after multiple calls.
• A how-to-fire-your-current-advisor guide so you can switch cleanly without unnecessary drama or account confusion.

Who It's For

This is for people who want objectivity before they commit to a long-term advisory relationship.

What You'll Achieve

The kit helps you ask better questions and hear the answers more critically.

• Decode how an advisor is paid and whether the structure creates conflicts you should care about.
• Verify credentials and disclosures before confusing titles and branding for real expertise.
• Compare multiple advisors on the same standards instead of relying on vague first impressions.
• Leave a poor-fit advisor more confidently because you know what a stronger replacement should look like.