The Shook Research / Forbes awards scandal of 2026 exposed some of the risks for relying on using one source to validate that an advisor is right for you.

Sean recounts a thread in one of his Facebook groups where a member was dealing with a case of fraud, and didn't know where some of his money was. Sean recommends asking two questions: Who holds my money? and Who prints my statements?

Sean and Ben often ask themselves if they're actually helping their clients, or if they may have made a mistake. Ben had a client who was certain he could handle his estate planning needs on his own, without Ben. Spoiler alert: He didn't.

Sean explains why someone who specializes in pushing annuities could be dangerous for your financial well-being — and the three red flags you need to be aware of.

If you want to invest in an annuity, you need to have a solid reason to use this long-term financial vehicle. And you should definitely have a financial advisor helping you determine if the annuity is your best option, or if another type of investment might better suit your needs.

Sean talks about why you may or may not want to work with a Certified Financial Planner as your financial advisor. A CFP license holder might be the best advisor for you. But does it really make a difference?

Join Sean Kernan as he answers all the burning questions about finding and working with a financial advisor. In this episode, he answers the burning question on many peoples' minds — whether they even need a financial advisor in the first place.

Sean gives you the ups and downs of hiring a less-experienced financial advisor.