Top 7 questions every woman should ask a financial planner before trusting them with their wealth

A financial planner can support you in making important decisions about your wealth and your life. They’ll also help you achieve long-term financial security and peace of mind.

As such, choosing the right professional to guide and advise you is crucial.

Indeed, 53% of the women surveyed for the Lloyds Wealth Women and Wealth Report 2025 ranked “trustworthiness” as the most valued quality in a financial planner. Unfortunately, their research also revealed that:

• 50% of women reported challenges finding reliable and affordable advice
• 23% of women felt there is a limited availability of trustworthy advisers
• 16% of women said it was difficult to find a professional who understands their financial situation.

If choosing a professional to work with feels overwhelming, here’s a handy checklist of questions every woman should ask a financial planner before making an informed decision.

1. What qualifications and accreditations do you have?

Anybody can go online and set themselves up as a “finfluencer” who shares their thoughts on how to manage money. But if you’re paying a professional for financial advice, you need to be sure they’re qualified to do so.

Check their website for details of their qualifications. These should come from accredited bodies and align with your specific needs. For example, I hold Resolution Accredited Divorce Specialist status because I have dedicated myself to supporting divorcing and divorced women.

It’s also important to ensure that your financial planner is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that they’re regulated by the FCA, which guarantees you certain consumer protections; for example, you may be able to claim compensation if their firm goes out of business.

Learn about my qualifications and accreditations and meet the whole True Financial Design team.

2. Are you an independent or restricted adviser?

A restricted adviser is limited in the recommendations they can make. They might only be able to advise on a specific area of financial planning, such as pensions or life insurance, or they may only be allowed to sell products from a specific company.

In contrast, an independent financial adviser (IFA) can look at the whole market and access a wide range of options. This means they can tailor their advice to your specific circumstances and goals.

3. Can you describe your overall approach and core values?

A financial planner offers much more than technical advice. They’ll be there to help you make important choices that affect how you live your life. They can also offer emotional support during challenging times such as bereavement or divorce.

As such, it’s crucial to find a professional who has a philosophy and way of working that fit with your needs and preferences.

At True Financial Design and our sister company, True Divorce Consultancy, we follow a client-centred approach that focuses on each person’s unique situation.

I’m always happy to meet new clients and answer their questions to ensure we can work together effectively before any commitment is made.

4. What experience do you have supporting people like me?

People come to financial planners for a wide range of reasons and across all life stages. However, that doesn’t mean that every professional has experience supporting people in your situation.

If you’re investing in professional advice, you want to be sure that this isn’t the first time your financial planner has worked with someone like you.

For example, if you’re a high net worth woman, you’ll need guidance on managing complex assets, such as global investments and trusts. Or if you’re going through a divorce, you’ll benefit from working with a financial planner who is experienced in matters such as pension sharing.

Learn about who we help at True Financial Design and True Divorce Consultancy, and hear what people in your shoes are saying about us.

5. How will we keep in touch, and how often will we meet?

While it’s essential to ask the big questions, such as “What are your core values?” and “Are you independent?”, don’t forget about the practicalities.

Effective communication is the foundation of good financial advice, so be sure to ask how your financial planner will keep in touch and how often they’re available to meet.

Ideally, find a professional who offers some flexibility and is willing to tailor their approach to meet your needs. Setting out your expectations early on will avoid frustration and disappointment down the line. It could also give you peace of mind that your financial planner will be there when you need them.

6. How is my money protected if I work with you?

If you seek advice from a regulated professional, there are processes in place to provide compensation in appropriate cases. This might occur if you feel that the recommendations you receive are misleading or fraudulent.

Ensuring that your financial planner has professional indemnity insurance adds another layer of security. This is a type of business cover that provides a path to compensation if you suffer financial harm as a result of advice that is negligent or incorrect.

7. Do you have client reviews and testimonials to share?

When you’re looking for a new professional to work with, there’s nothing quite as reassuring as hearing glowing reviews from past and current clients.

Most financial planners post feedback and case studies on their website. It’s also useful to look at independent platforms such as VouchedFor, which verifies the identity of all reviewers and never edits or removes negative feedback.

Read our client stories and reviews to find out why we’re rated five out of five on VouchedFor.

Get in touch

If you’re a woman who’s looking for a trustworthy and empathetic financial professional, I’d love to hear from you.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to share a brief note on the services we offer. Our two companies are designed to support you with all your financial needs.

True Divorce Consultancy Ltd offers tailored financial guidance and scenario planning throughout the divorce process. True Divorce Consultancy Ltd is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If you need regulated financial advice post-settlement or more general financial planning, True Financial Design Ltd is here to help you secure your financial future. While we’re proud to specialise in divorce, we offer this expertise in addition to a full range of financial planning support. True Financial Design Limited is an appointed representative of 2plan Wealth Management Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

By keeping these services separate, we ensure you receive specialised support when and where you need it.

To learn more about the support I offer, please get in touch by email at lottie@truefinancialdesign.co.uk or call 03300 889138.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Approved by 2plan wealth management Ltd on 9/6/26