I need to get my finances in order. How do I find a fee-only financial planner?

Getting your finances in order is a massive step, and choosing a fee-only financial planner ensures your advisor is bound by a fiduciary duty—meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best financial interest, free from the bias of commission-based product sales.

Here is a practical, step-by-step guide to finding a vetted, fee-only professional:

1. Search Trusted, Fee-Only Directories

Instead of searching blindly on a general search engine, use dedicated professional networks that strictly vet their members for fee-only and fiduciary requirements:

• NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors): The largest professional association dedicated exclusively to fee-only comprehensive financial planners. Their directory allows you to filter by location, specialty, and services needed.
• XY Planning Network: Great if you are looking for an advisor who specializes in Gen X or Gen Y clients, offers modern virtual services, or operates on a monthly subscription/flat-fee model without asset minimums.
• Garrett Planning Network: Ideal if you want advice on an hourly, as-needed, or project basis without committing to ongoing asset management.

2. Know the Fee Structures

"Fee-only" means they are paid directly by you, but how they charge can vary:

• AUM (Assets Under Management): A percentage of the investment portfolio they manage for you (typically around 1%).
• Flat Fee / Retainer: A set annual or monthly price for comprehensive planning.
• Hourly / Project-Based: Paying strictly for the time spent or a specific deliverable (like a single comprehensive financial plan).

3. Verify Their Credentials and Background

Never take an organization's directory listing at face value without doing a quick background check:

• Look for a CFP®: Ensure they hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, which requires rigorous education, ethics testing, and experience.
• Check the SEC or FINRA Database: Look up the advisor or their firm on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database to review their Form ADV Part 2A brochure , which details their business practices and fee structure.
• Run a background check: Use FINRA's BrokerCheck to confirm they have no major disciplinary history or consumer complaints.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When you interview candidates, ask these non-negotiable questions:

• “Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time, for all the advice and financial planning you provide me?”
• “Do you or your firm ever receive commissions, kickbacks, or compensation from selling insurance, mutual funds, or other financial products?” (The answer should be a flat "No").

If you'd like, tell me:

• What specific financial goals you are hoping to tackle first (e.g., retirement, debt payoff, budgeting)
• Whether you prefer an ongoing relationship or a one-time consultation

I can help you narrow down which fee-only model fits your situation best.

Absolutely. A fee-only financial planner is a good place to start if your goal is to get your overall finances organized without hiring someone whose compensation depends on selling you investments or insurance.

1. Start with these two directories

• napfa.org — NAPFA members operate on a Fee-Only basis, meaning they don't receive commissions for selling financial products. You can search by location and filter for specialties such as budgeting, retirement, taxes, investments, and estate planning.
• connect.xyplanningnetwork.com — Its directory specifically lists CFP® professionals who offer fee-only planning and sign a fiduciary oath. You can search by specialty and work with someone virtually.

You don't necessarily need someone local. For straightforward financial planning, a good virtual planner can be just as useful.

2. Decide what kind of planner you need

If by "get my finances in order" you mean things like budgeting, debt, emergency savings, retirement accounts, investments, insurance, taxes, and figuring out what to do with your money, I'd look for a planner offering comprehensive financial planning, rather than someone who primarily manages investments.

Also look for a planner who will work with you without requiring you to have a large investment portfolio. Some fee-only planners charge hourly or a flat/retainer fee rather than taking a percentage of your investments.

3. Interview 3 planners before choosing one

I'd ask each candidate:

1. "Are you fee-only? Do you receive any commissions or referral fees?"
2. "Are you a fiduciary at all times, including when recommending investments or insurance?"
3. "How do you charge—hourly, flat fee, retainer, or percentage of assets?"
4. "Do I have to let you manage my investments, or can I just pay for the planning?"
5. "What would a first-year engagement cost me in total?"
6. "What would you actually help me with?"
7. "Can you work with someone whose finances are a work in progress rather than someone who already has substantial assets?"

NAPFA itself recommends asking about fiduciary status, compensation, commissions/incentives, and whether advice could be influenced by product sales.

One important distinction

Fee-only ≠ automatically inexpensive. A planner can be fee-only and charge 1% of assets under management, which can become expensive as your portfolio grows. If what you really need is to organize your finances, I'd specifically investigate hourly, flat-fee, or project-based comprehensive planning.

If you tell me roughly your age, whether you're single/married, whether you have debt, whether you're working, and what you most want help fixing (you don't need to give me dollar amounts), I can tell you what type of fee-only planner I'd look for and what fee structure would probably make the most sense.

Absolutely. If your goal is to get your finances organized—not necessarily to have someone manage your investments—you can find a planner who works Fee-Only and is paid directly by you rather than by commissions on financial products.

1. Start with NAPFA

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is probably the best place to start. Its directory specifically lets you search for Fee-Only planners and filter by things such as hourly fees, fixed fees, retirement planning, tax planning, debt management, and cash-flow/budgeting issues.

One useful distinction: Fee-Only doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive. A planner might charge hourly, a flat fee for a financial plan, a retainer, or a percentage of assets managed.

2. Look for a CFP® professional

I'd strongly consider a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) who is also Fee-Only. CFP Board has its own searchable directory:

The CFP directory lets you search by location and planning services, and provides financial-disclosure information for listed professionals.

3. Decide what kind of help you actually need

This can save you a lot of money.

If you mainly need someone to help you organize your finances, look for:

• Hourly or project-based planning
• Cash-flow and budgeting
• Debt management
• Retirement planning
• Tax planning
• Insurance review
• Investment allocation
• Estate-planning coordination

You may not need someone charging 1% of your investment portfolio every year for ongoing management.

For example, you could say: "I want a comprehensive financial plan and help getting my finances organized, but I'm not necessarily looking for ongoing investment management."

NAPFA's directory specifically includes an "Investment Advice without Ongoing Management" filter.

4. Interview 3 planners

Don't hire the first one you talk to. Ask each:

1. Are you Fee-Only? "Do you or your firm receive any commissions, referral fees, 12b-1 fees, insurance compensation, or other compensation from third parties?"
2. Are you a fiduciary? Ask whether they act as a fiduciary at all times when providing financial advice, not just under certain circumstances.
3. How do you charge? Get the actual dollar cost—not just "our fee is competitive."
4. Do you manage investments, or can I just pay for planning?
5. What would the first year cost me? And what would subsequent years cost?
6. What exactly will you deliver?
7. Who will actually work with me? You want to know whether you're hiring the person you're interviewing or primarily an associate.

NAPFA's definition of Fee-Only is quite strict: compensation must come from the client, with no compensation contingent on buying or selling financial products.

5. Do a quick background check

Before hiring someone, verify their credentials and look at their regulatory disclosures. CFP Board specifically recommends checking applicable information through FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database.

One more thought

If you tell me roughly what you want help with—for example, "I have a 401(k), IRA, mortgage, college savings, and don't know if I'm saving enough for retirement"—I can help you figure out what type of planner to look for, what fee structure makes sense, and what questions to ask in the first meeting.

This can save you a lot of money.

If you mainly need someone to help you organize your finances, look for:

Finding a true fee-only, fiduciary financial planner is one of the best steps you can take to get your money on track . "Fee-only" means they are paid directly by you (hourly, flat-fee, retainer, or a percentage of assets under management) and do not make money from commissions on selling specific insurance policies or investment products.

Here are the best directories and steps to find a verified fee-only planner:

1. Use Trusted Search Directories
   • NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) : The largest professional association dedicated exclusively to fee-only, fiduciary financial advisors. Everyone listed is vetted to ensure they do not accept commissions.
   • XY Planning Network : Great if you are younger, building your wealth, or looking for a planner who offers monthly subscriptions or project-based work without high asset minimums. Members are fee-only fiduciaries.
   • Garrett Planning Network : Ideal if you want advice on an hourly, as-needed basis without committing to ongoing asset management.
2. Verify Their Status (Crucial Step)
   • Even when using directories, always double-check an advisor's regulatory background.
   • Search their name or firm on the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) Database to review their Form ADV Part 2A brochure , which legally outlines their fee structure and potential conflicts of interest.
3. Ask the Right Questions
   • Interview two or three candidates and ask this exact question in writing: "Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time for all of the clients and all of the advice you provide?"
   • Clarify how they charge (e.g., flat fee for a financial plan, hourly rate, or percentage of assets) and make sure it aligns with your comfort level.

If you'd like, let me know:

• What specific financial goals you want help with (e.g., retirement, getting out of debt, budgeting, investing)
• Whether you prefer working with someone locally or virtually

I can help you narrow down which type of fee structure or network fits your situation best.

A fee-only financial planner can be a very good choice if your goal is to get your whole financial life organized without hiring someone whose compensation depends on selling you financial products.

What “fee-only” means

A genuinely fee-only planner is paid by you, rather than receiving commissions or other compensation for selling investments or insurance. Fee-only planners can charge hourly, a flat fee, a retainer, or a percentage of assets they manage.

I'd look specifically for fee-only + fiduciary, ideally someone who does comprehensive planning rather than just investment management.

Where to find one

The best starting point is NAPFA's Find an Advisor directory. NAPFA members are required to operate on a Fee-Only basis, and Registered NAPFA advisors must meet additional requirements including CFP® certification, a fiduciary oath, and comprehensive-planning competency.

Since you're in the South Florida area, I also found a few nearby firms that describe themselves as fee-only/fiduciary:

• Kris Lewicki & Associates, LLC — Coral Springs; offers hourly or flat-fee financial planning.
• Clark Financial Planning Services LLC — Coconut Creek; fee-only planning with an emphasis on integrated investment and tax planning.
• Northstar Financial Planners — Plantation; fee-only fiduciary planning.
• Tobias Financial Advisors — Plantation; offers planning-only engagements as well as investment management.
• Team Hewins — Boca Raton; fee-only, fiduciary wealth management and planning.

Those are starting points, not endorsements—I'd verify each firm's current Form ADV/fee schedule before hiring.

What to ask during the first call

I'd interview 3 planners, preferably before giving anyone control of your investments. Ask:

1. “Are you 100% fee-only? Do you or your firm receive any commissions, referral fees, or compensation from financial-product providers?”
2. “Are you a fiduciary at all times, and will that commitment be in writing?”
3. “How exactly do you charge—hourly, flat fee, retainer, or assets under management?”
4. “Can I hire you for financial planning without having you manage my investments?”
5. “What would you actually help me with?”
   You want someone who can address cash flow/budgeting, debt, investments, retirement, taxes, insurance, estate planning and other relevant areas—not simply pick investments. Comprehensive planning can encompass all of these areas.
6. “What are your minimums?”
7. “Can I see your Form ADV and fee schedule before deciding?”

One important distinction

Don't let “fee-based” substitute for “fee-only.” They aren't the same. Fee-based advisors may receive both fees and commissions, whereas NAPFA's definition of fee-only excludes compensation contingent on financial-product transactions.

If your main objective is simply “I have a messy financial situation and need someone to help me make a plan,” I'd particularly look for a planner offering flat-fee or hourly planning without requiring investment management. That can be considerably more straightforward than turning over your portfolio and paying an ongoing percentage of your assets.

Finding a true fee-only, fiduciary financial planner is one of the best steps you can take to get your finances organized without worrying about hidden product sales pitches or commissions.

The most reliable ways to find and vet a fee-only planner include the following steps and resources:

• Search dedicated directories, which strictly vet their members to ensure they operate on a 1. fee-only fiduciary model . Excellent options include:
  • NAPFA Find an Advisor : The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is the largest professional association of fee-only advisors.
  • XY Planning Network : Great for finding modern, tech-forward planners, many of whom offer monthly subscription or flat-fee models without asset minimums.
  • Garrett Planning Network : Ideal if you are looking for hourly, as-needed, or project-based advice without ongoing management commitments.
  • Fee-Only Network : A centralized directory specifically highlighting professionals who do not accept commissions.
• Clarify your preferred fee structure. Fee-only doesn't just mean "hourly"—it means they are paid directly by you and never by product commissions. Decide if you want:
  • Hourly or project-based (best for a one-time blueprint or specific questions).
  • Flat annual retainer (best for ongoing advice without handing over your portfolio).
  • Assets Under Management (AUM) percentage (best if you want them to actively manage your investment portfolio).
• Verify their credentials and background independently. Look up the advisor or firm on the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Database . Pull up their Form ADV Part 2A brochure , which legally discloses how they are compensated and will explicitly state whether they accept commissions or have any conflicts of interest.
• Ask direct vetting questions during your initial consultation. Make sure to ask: "Are you acting as a fiduciary 100% of the time, and can you sign a fiduciary oath committing to that in writing?" and "Do you or your firm ever receive compensation from selling financial products, insurance, or recommendations?"

To help narrow down your search, tell me:

• Are you looking for ongoing management or just a one-time plan to get organized?
• Do you prefer meeting locally or working virtually?

Absolutely. A fee-only financial planner is a good place to start if your goal is to get your whole financial life organized without relying on someone who earns commissions from selling financial products. Fee-only planners are paid directly by clients and can charge hourly, flat/retainer, or asset-based fees.

1. Start with NAPFA

The easiest starting point is NAPFA's Find an Advisor directory. NAPFA members must operate on a Fee-Only basis, meaning they cannot receive commissions or compensation tied to selling financial products.

You can filter for planners who specialize in things like budgeting/cash flow, debt, retirement, taxes, estate planning, or investment management.

2. Look for a CFP® professional

I'd also search CFP Board's Find a CFP® Professional directory. Being a CFP® professional doesn't automatically mean someone is fee-only, so use CFP® as a credential and separately verify the compensation model. The directory lets you search by location and planning specialty.

3. Interview 3 planners

Ask each one these questions:

• Are you 100% fee-only? Do you or your firm receive any commissions, referral fees, or compensation from financial products?
• Are you a fiduciary at all times?
• How do you charge? Hourly, flat fee, retainer, or percentage of assets?
• What would you charge someone in my situation?
• Do you provide a comprehensive financial plan, or primarily investment management?
• Can you help with cash flow, debt, taxes, retirement, insurance, and estate planning, or only investments?
• Are there minimum asset requirements?
• Do I have to let you manage my investments to receive planning services?

Fee-only doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive—an asset-based fee, for example, can become substantial as your portfolio grows.

4. Check them before hiring

Once you've found a promising planner, look them up through Investor.gov's investment-professional search. Check both the individual and the firm for registration and disciplinary history. Also request the firm's Form ADV Part 2 brochure, which describes its services, fees, conflicts, and business practices.

My rule of thumb: if you're primarily trying to "get your finances in order," I'd favor a fee-only CFP® who offers comprehensive planning and can work on an hourly or flat-fee basis, rather than immediately hiring someone who wants to manage all your investments for a percentage of your assets.

If you'd like, I can also help you figure out what type of planner you need and what a reasonable fee would be before you start interviewing people.

Getting your finances organized is a great step, and working with a true fee-only, fiduciary financial planner ensures they are legally obligated to put your best interests first and will never make money off commissions or product sales.

Note that fee-only means they are paid directly by you (via hourly, flat project fees, retainers, or a percentage of assets), but it can still technically include Assets Under Management (AUM) models. If you want advice without handing over your portfolio to manage, you specifically want to look for advice-only or flat-fee/hourly planners.

Here are the best places and steps to find a vetted professional:

1. Search Specialized Directories

Instead of searching blindly, use dedicated networks that screen members for strict fee-only and fiduciary requirements:

• NAPFA Find an Advisor : The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is the largest professional association of fee-only comprehensive planners. You can filter by location or virtual availability.
• XY Planning Network : Great if you are looking for modern, flat-fee, monthly retainer, or advice-only planners who often work with clients without high asset minimums.
• Garrett Planning Network : Ideal if you want as-needed, hourly, or project-based guidance without committing to ongoing asset management.
• Fee-Only Network : A searchable registry dedicated exclusively to connecting consumers with non-commission, fiduciary advisors.

2. Verify Their Registration and Disclosures

Never skip this step. Once you find a candidate, independently check their credentials and disciplinary history:

• Search the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Database to review their Form ADV Part 2 brochure, which explicitly details how they charge and make money.
• Ask them directly in writing: "Are you a fiduciary 1 0 0% of the time for all of the advice you give me, and do you or your firm ever accept commissions or third-party kickbacks?"

To help narrow down which type of planner fits your situation, could you tell me:

• Are you looking for ongoing investment management or just a one-time roadmap/budget review?
• Do you prefer someone local or are you open to working virtually?

Yes. If your goal is unbiased help getting your whole financial life organized, a fee-only planner is a good place to start.

1. Start with NAPFA

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has a searchable directory specifically for fee-only planners.

NAPFA's definition of fee-only is unusually strict: the advisor is compensated by the client rather than receiving commissions or compensation tied to financial-product sales. NAPFA-Registered advisors also commit to fiduciary standards and comprehensive planning.

You can filter the directory by things that may matter to you, including:

• Hourly or fixed-fee planning
• Cash flow/budgeting and debt
• Retirement planning
• Tax planning
• Investment management
• Estate planning
• Whether they work with middle-income clients, retirees, etc.

2. Don't assume you need ongoing investment management

If you're primarily thinking, "I need someone to help me get organized," look specifically for a planner offering hourly, project-based, or flat-fee planning.

You might pay for a comprehensive plan and then implement it yourself, rather than paying an advisor a percentage of your investments every year.

3. Interview 3 planners

On the introductory call, ask these questions:

1. Are you 100% fee-only, with no commissions or referral compensation?
2. Are you a fiduciary at all times when advising me?
3. How do you charge—hourly, flat fee, subscription, or percentage of assets?
4. What would you charge someone in my situation?
5. Can you help with budgeting, debt, retirement, taxes, insurance, and investments—not just investing?
6. Do you require me to transfer my investments to your firm?
7. What would you actually deliver during the first engagement?

A good planner should be comfortable answering these directly rather than steering you immediately toward an investment account.

4. Check them independently

Before hiring anyone, look up their Form ADV and disciplinary history through the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure system. Also verify professional credentials rather than relying solely on what appears on their website.

And don't be intimidated by your current financial situation. NAPFA specifically notes that comprehensive financial planning isn't just for millionaires and can address everything from cash flow and debt to retirement and investments.

If you'd like, I can also search for fee-only planners near you and narrow them down by price, specialties, and whether they offer one-time planning rather than ongoing asset management.

Finding a fee-only financial planner —meaning they are compensated solely by their clients and do not earn commissions from selling financial products, insurance, or investments—is one of the best ways to ensure you are getting unbiased, fiduciary advice.

Here is a step-by-step guide to finding a qualified, fee-only planner:

1. Use Specialized Directories
   • Garrett Planning Network : A network of fee-only, hourly, and project-based financial planners. It is ideal if you just need a specific plan or advice without a massive ongoing asset minimum. Search via the Garrett Planning Network Directory.
   • XY Planning Network (XYPN) : Focuses on Gen X and Gen Y clients, offering fee-only, fiduciary advice with many advisors specializing in monthly retainer models or younger professionals. Search via the XY Planning Network Directory.
   • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) : The country's leading professional association of fee-only, comprehensive financial advisors. Every member signs a fiduciary oath. Search via the NAPFA Find an Advisor Tool.
   • Planners Web / NAPFA via Advice-Only : If you specifically want an "advice-only" planner who will not manage your assets at all, you can look for resources through Advice-Only Network or similar directories.
2. Verify Fiduciary Status and Credentials
   • Check the CFP Designation : Ensure they are a Certified Financial Planner (𝐶𝐹𝑃®) professional, which requires rigorous education, examination, and ethical standards. You can verify certification using the CFP Board Search Tool or CFP Board Verify.
   • Confirm Fee-Only Status : Always ask directly: "Are you fee-only 100% of the time, and do you ever receive commissions or third-party compensation?"
   • Check Regulatory Records : Look up the advisor or their firm on BrokerCheck by FINRA or the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) to review their Form ADV (Part 2A), which details their business practices, fees, and disciplinary history.
3. Interview Candidates
   • Ask how they charge (e.g., hourly, flat project fee, or a percentage of Assets Under Management / AUM).
   • Inquire about their typical client profile to ensure your net worth and goals align with their practice.

If you'd like, tell me:

• What your primary financial goal is right now (retirement planning, debt management, budgeting, or investing)
• Whether you prefer ongoing management or an hourly/one-time plan

I can help you narrow down which type of fee-only planner fits your situation best.