Short Answer

A fiduciary financial advisor is legally required to act in your best interest, disclose conflicts, and prioritize your financial outcomes over commissions. For many families, this transparency and accountability are worth more than product-based advice.

What “Fiduciary” Actually Means

A fiduciary advisor must:

• Put client interests first

• Disclose conflicts of interest

• Avoid commission-driven recommendations

• Provide advice aligned with client goals—not sales incentives

How Fiduciary Advice Differs From Commission-Based Advice

Fiduciary Advisor:

• Fee-only

• Ongoing planning

• Transparent fees

• Client-first duty

Commission-Based Advisor:

• Product compensation

• Transaction-focused

• Embedded costs

• Sales suitability standard

Who Benefits Most From a Fiduciary Advisor

• High-income professionals

• Families nearing retirement

• Investors with multiple accounts

• Anyone seeking coordinated tax and retirement planning.

Sentient Financial’s Fiduciary Commitment

Sentient Financial is a fee-only, California-registered fiduciary. We succeed only when our clients succeed.

Disclosure: ADV Part 2 available upon request.