Mark Zoril at PlanVision also has an advice only offering but I thought OP wanted more than a planning/sanity check. I have worked with Mark and his team, if you're (OP) is looking for advice-only, they are excellent but you (and/or your spouse will have to manage the portfolio). Their fees are very reasonable.
Concerned, I too had similar concerns and knew that my spouse would find navigating the financial matters a bit overwhelming and wanted to set us up with an advisor that was aligned with our (Boglehead - BH) way investing (low cost index funds, etc.). After some research (this also included Assets Under Management - AUM based advisors based on Fidelity recommendation), I have found a flat fee advisor that we are comfortable with. What I learnt during this process Most of the flat fee advisors have Schwab as their custodian (over 85%), about 10% have Fidelity and then there are some that use one of the following: Altruist, Apex or Pershing. If you like a particular advisor, make sure you're okay with moving your assets over in order to work with them. Most of them mention this upfront on their portals, but it is also listed in the ADV for sure. Conversely if you're not interested in moving your assets, then you need to narrow the advisor list to the custodian you prefer. Lot of them have a model portfolio (not surprisingly the flat fee folks - at least the ones I researched have a simpler low cost index funds but the AUM advisors (again not surprisingly) have a more complex and lengthy list, this after I made clear that I am looking for low cost index funds). Why does this matter? Because the only way they can manage and measure is to "transition" your existing portfolio into their models. And if you have a BH approach with some additional funds, expect this to change a bit (or a lot). For example, I use VTI & VXUS (Vanguard total US market and International market respectively) and some of the advisors use alternative structures (like sp500 + extended or a combination of Large + Mid + Small cap, etc.). Depending on how strongly you feel, this is a conversation you should expect to have. Most of the flat fee advisors seem to have a clear and quite transparent fee structure (including any potential hikes). Not surprisingly the AUM based seemed a bit more opaque, especially when they use SMA (separately managed accounts) and/or a combination of alternative funds (and these are more esoteric funds, mutual funds in some cases with high ER - expense ratio). I did speak to a number of AUM as well as flat fee advisors. The only thing I found I lose with the AUM advisors (as opposed to the flat fee), is the additional complexity. So I wouldn't give up just yet, I would first write down your requirements, talk to at least 4-5 flat fee advisors (and make sure your spouse is part of this conversation to gauge their comfort factor with the advisor). For what it's worth, I too am a former Vanguard refugee (was with them for over 20 years). I have generally heard good things about their PAS (Personal Advisory Service and at 30bps), they are a good value. I don't know if it would be right for me to publish my list here, happy to help in your journey.
Comments
Mark Zoril at PlanVision also has an advice only offering but I thought OP wanted more than a planning/sanity check. I have worked with Mark and his team, if you're (OP) is looking for advice-only, they are excellent but you (and/or your spouse will have to manage the portfolio). Their fees are very reasonable.
Post: Financial Planning
Link to comment from April 12, 2026
Concerned, I too had similar concerns and knew that my spouse would find navigating the financial matters a bit overwhelming and wanted to set us up with an advisor that was aligned with our (Boglehead - BH) way investing (low cost index funds, etc.). After some research (this also included Assets Under Management - AUM based advisors based on Fidelity recommendation), I have found a flat fee advisor that we are comfortable with. What I learnt during this process Most of the flat fee advisors have Schwab as their custodian (over 85%), about 10% have Fidelity and then there are some that use one of the following: Altruist, Apex or Pershing. If you like a particular advisor, make sure you're okay with moving your assets over in order to work with them. Most of them mention this upfront on their portals, but it is also listed in the ADV for sure. Conversely if you're not interested in moving your assets, then you need to narrow the advisor list to the custodian you prefer. Lot of them have a model portfolio (not surprisingly the flat fee folks - at least the ones I researched have a simpler low cost index funds but the AUM advisors (again not surprisingly) have a more complex and lengthy list, this after I made clear that I am looking for low cost index funds). Why does this matter? Because the only way they can manage and measure is to "transition" your existing portfolio into their models. And if you have a BH approach with some additional funds, expect this to change a bit (or a lot). For example, I use VTI & VXUS (Vanguard total US market and International market respectively) and some of the advisors use alternative structures (like sp500 + extended or a combination of Large + Mid + Small cap, etc.). Depending on how strongly you feel, this is a conversation you should expect to have. Most of the flat fee advisors seem to have a clear and quite transparent fee structure (including any potential hikes). Not surprisingly the AUM based seemed a bit more opaque, especially when they use SMA (separately managed accounts) and/or a combination of alternative funds (and these are more esoteric funds, mutual funds in some cases with high ER - expense ratio). I did speak to a number of AUM as well as flat fee advisors. The only thing I found I lose with the AUM advisors (as opposed to the flat fee), is the additional complexity. So I wouldn't give up just yet, I would first write down your requirements, talk to at least 4-5 flat fee advisors (and make sure your spouse is part of this conversation to gauge their comfort factor with the advisor). For what it's worth, I too am a former Vanguard refugee (was with them for over 20 years). I have generally heard good things about their PAS (Personal Advisory Service and at 30bps), they are a good value. I don't know if it would be right for me to publish my list here, happy to help in your journey.
Post: Financial Planning
Link to comment from April 12, 2026