How To Choose The Right Financial Advisor

Major life transitions like divorce can change almost every aspect of your financial life. If you were not the person who primarily handled investments or long-term financial decisions during your marriage, suddenly being responsible for those choices can feel overwhelming. Even if you were involved in the finances, making decisions on your own after divorce can be very different.

Strategic Divorce Consultant Mardi Winder talks with Nicole Newman, MBA, CPA, and Investment Advisor at Stone Creek Advisors, about building financial confidence and finding the right professional to help you make informed decisions after divorce.

Nicole explains why financial confidence is not simply something you either have or you don’t. For many women, there are historical and generational reasons why they may not have been encouraged to take an active role in investing and financial decision-making. Divorce can suddenly change that, creating both a challenge and an opportunity to become more engaged in your own financial future.

Mardi and Nicole also get very practical about choosing an Investment Advisor. They discuss what it means to work with a fiduciary, why you should interview several professionals before making a decision, what questions to ask about fees and how your money is held, and some of the red flags that should make you stop and ask more questions.

Most importantly, becoming financially independent does not mean you need to become a financial expert or make every decision by yourself. It means understanding your options, asking questions, building a trusted professional team, and remaining an active participant in the decisions that affect your future.

Questions we explore:

Why can financial decisions feel so overwhelming after divorce?

If someone else handled much of the financial decision-making during the marriage, divorce may be the first time you are solely responsible for those choices. Even people who understand budgeting and everyday finances may feel less confident when it comes to investing and long-term financial planning.

What should you look for when choosing a financial professional?

Nicole recommends interviewing several professionals rather than automatically choosing the first person you meet. Ask whether they are a fiduciary, how they are compensated, what fees you will pay, where your assets will be held, and how they will involve you in the decision-making process.

What are some red flags when interviewing an Investment Advisor?

Vague answers about fees, compensation, or where your money will be held deserve closer attention. Another significant warning sign is anyone promising a specific investment return. A reputable professional should be willing to clearly explain how they work and answer your questions.

Do you need significant wealth before talking to an Investment Advisor?

Not necessarily. Some advisors have minimum investment requirements and others do not. The important thing is finding someone who will give you appropriate advice based on your actual financial situation rather than simply trying to sell you a product or service.

What does financial independence really mean after divorce?

Financial independence does not mean doing everything alone. It means developing the confidence to ask questions, understand your choices, work collaboratively with qualified professionals, and take ownership of the decisions affecting your financial future.

About the Guest:

Nicole Newman, MBA, CEPA, is an Investment Advisor at StoneCreek Advisors, where she works with individuals and families navigating some of life’s most significant transitions—from divorce and loss to business succession. With a background in corporate strategy and mergers & acquisitions, Nicole brings a strategic, big-picture perspective to complex financial decisions.

She is particularly passionate about helping women move from financial uncertainty to becoming confident stewards of their money and future. Nicole is known for building clear frameworks that simplify complex financial decisions, helping clients feel informed, empowered, and in control during pivotal moments of change.

For Nicole’s gift: https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/bookwithme/user/a46463ea2af748168a1632fbec4345e2%40stonecreek-advisors.com/meetingtype/g1QcOc2BDU-PeXQ28CtY0A2?anonymous&ismsaljsauthenabled=true

To connect with Nicole:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledupranewman/

Website: https://www.stonecreek-advisors.com/

About the Host

Mardi Winder is a Strategic Divorce Consultant and High-Conflict Divorce Coach who helps high-achieving individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in mediation, divorce coaching and conflict resolution, she supports clients in making smart decisions while reducing emotional and financial fallout, particularly in high-conflict, high-asset and complex divorces. Mardi is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and the Strategic Divorce Directory, LLC.

For Mardi’s gift: The Resilience Building Blueprint: A 28-Day Journey To A Stronger You https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/rbb

Connect with Mardi on Social Media:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4women

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinder/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4women

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