Should You Work with a Financial Planner? What You Need to Know
As life changes and priorities shift over the years, many individuals and families are looking for more than just investment returns. They’re seeking a trusted relationship with someone who understands their goals, knows their family by name, and provides clarity and peace of mind through life’s transitions.
Whether you’re preparing for retirement, managing a family farm in Darlington, or navigating federal benefits as a government employee in Bel Air, the right financial advisor can offer lasting value and a local perspective that matters.
But how do you know if working with a financial planner is right for you? And what should you look for in that relationship?
Learn more as we explore what sets a fiduciary financial advisor apart and how to identify the kind of planner who will serve your best interests for the long haul.
Why Work with a Financial Planner?
The right advisor isn’t just managing a portfolio—they’re walking alongside you through life. At The Kelly Group, we think of our role similarly to a “small town doctor.” We know our clients by name, understand their priorities, and offer long-term guidance through every financial stage.
Here in Maryland, many of our clients have built careers in federal service or grown local businesses over decades. Some are preparing to pass those businesses to the next generation. Others are navigating Medicare decisions, balancing farm operations, or stepping into retirement with both pride and uncertainty.
In all these scenarios, a trusted financial planner can help you:
Clarify and prioritize your goals
Create a financial plan that adapts with you
Navigate complex topics like estate planning, tax strategy, and succession
Coordinate benefits and retirement plans, including federal and state systems
Stay steady through market shifts or personal life transitions
Clients often tell us they feel more confident and better prepared after working with a financial planner because they no longer feel like they’re making these decisions alone.
And when your advisor is part of the same community you live in (and a team committed to being here 100 years from now), it adds a deeper level of trust.
What Does It Mean to Work with a Fiduciary?
One of the most important distinctions when choosing a financial advisor is whether they operate under a fiduciary standard. Simply put, a fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times, not theirs. We’ve built our firm on that principle.
We offer:
Transparent, conflict-free advice
A long-standing culture of trust and accountability
Deep relationships grounded in your goals, values, and vision for the future
When you work with a fiduciary, you gain more than just financial recommendations. You gain a steady hand and a partner who truly cares about your wellbeing, there to help with every aspect of your balance sheet.
What to Ask When Interviewing a Financial Advisor
Finding the right advisor is personal. It’s about alignment, trust, and shared values. As you explore your options, consider asking these important questions:
Are you a fiduciary?
How are you compensated? (Fee-only? Commission-based?)
How do you approach investment planning and how often do you adjust it?
What services are included? (Tax strategy, estate planning, business succession, etc.)
How often will we meet or check in?
Looking for a Fiduciary Financial Advisor in Harford County?
At The Kelly Group, we serve our clients with consistency, care, and long-term perspective. Whether you’re a retiree in Bel Air, a farmer in Darlington, or a federal employee navigating benefit transitions, our team is here to support your full financial life.
We’re proud to be a fiduciary financial advisor in Harford County, and we’re committed to being here for the next generation and beyond.
Contact us to schedule a conversation and explore how we can support your goals.
The Kelly Group is the trade name of Kelly Financial Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. For more information about our services, please see our Brochure and Relationship Summary, available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov and The Kelly Group’s website at www.kellyria.com.