Remind me how to find a legit financial planner?

[dr.girlfriend]

My parents are divorcing after 50 years of marriage.  I want to make sure my mom is connected to a good (fee-based?) financial planner.  Isn't there some certification people do where they attest that they are acting in the best interests of their client and not trying to drum up commissions, etc.?  Any other ways to check out a financial planner if she has someone in mind?  I'll help her as much as I can, but I'm worried that she's very vulnerable to exploitation.  The process of separating assets will be complex and she has not had much of a role in their finances up until now, and they have a pretty significant amount of wealth.  She's also not entirely sure where she is going to settle down.

[farmvillelover]

Have you thought about consulting with a financial coach for her instead of or before going with a financial planner? I have one good rec for you if you’d like it. She’s based in northern CA. Not commission based, she’s hourly (though I don’t know what she charges). Her background is finance and accounting but she recently retired (very early) and this is her passion. Message me if you want her contact info.

[tripleshot]

I’m sorry about the divorce. You may want to look for a fiduciary.

Here is a link about fee only. www.napfa.org/financial-planning/what-is-fee-only-advising

[sadlebred]

Make sure they are a fiduciary as they always have to act on the best interest of the client.

clark.com/personal-finance-credit/investing-retirement/fee-only-financial-advisor-deception-commissions-fees/

clark.com/personal-finance-credit/investing-retirement/fee-only-financial-planner/

[ohgillian]

No advice but sorry you're dealing with this. My parents similarly divorced after almost 50.

[farmvillelover]

Nov 19, 2019 21:34:03 GMT -5 Stan said:

Nov 16, 2019 15:02:33 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Have you thought about consulting with a financial coach for her instead of or before going with a financial planner? I have one good rec for you if you’d like it. She’s based in northern CA. Not commission based, she’s hourly (though I don’t know what she charges). Her background is finance and accounting but she recently retired (very early) and this is her passion. Message me if you want her contact info.

OP, my advice was going to be the NAPFA link, and I'm so sorry about your parents. 

Farmville, I'm going to grad school for financial planning and have decided to go for my AFC rather than my CFP. Does your friend have hers? Would you recommend it?

I don't know if she has hers, she is more of a professional contact. I will message you her website!!

[insominac]

I’m sorry. That must be tough to navigate.