Consumers should interview at least three prospective planners, preferably face to face, before settling on one. In addition to explaining how they might meet your individual needs, the advisers should disclose any potential conflicts of interest or prior complaints about their work. Each planner?s background should be thoroughly checked, consumer advocates and industry experts say. The SEC Web site provides information on how to look up whether an adviser is registered federally or at the state level, and provides links to state regulators. The Better Business Bureau may list consumer complaints against a particular adviser. The homework doesn?t stop once an adviser is hired. A planner?s recommendations must be evaluated regularly to see if they still meet a client?s investment and financial goals, which change over time. Download entire article in PDF format.
