Best Financial Advisors for Families of 2025
We evaluated the top financial planning services for families on investment philosophy, fee transparency, advisor access, and suitability for family financial goals.
5 items ranked · Last reviewed January 2025
Vanguard Personal Advisor
CFP access at a fee that doesn't eat your returns
Vanguard Personal Advisor combines the credibility of Certified Financial Planners with Vanguard's legendary low-cost approach. The 0.30% fee is exceptional value for human advisor access, and their index-first investment philosophy has decades of outperformance data behind it.
PROS
- ✓Certified Financial Planners available for all accounts over $50K
- ✓0.30% fee is among the lowest for human-advised services
- ✓Vanguard's legendary low-cost index investing philosophy
CONS
- ✕$50,000 minimum investment to access human CFPs
- ✕Less personalized than a dedicated family financial planner
Fidelity Wealth Services
Comprehensive wealth management backed by America's largest brokerage
Fidelity Wealth Services is the top choice for families with significant investable assets who want a dedicated advisor relationship within a trusted, full-service financial institution. The integration with Fidelity's full account ecosystem simplifies the complete family financial picture.
PROS
- ✓Dedicated advisor relationship from $250K; team approach from $500K
- ✓Integrates with Fidelity's full ecosystem (brokerage, 401k, 529)
- ✓In-person Investor Centers in 200+ locations nationwide
CONS
- ✕$250,000 minimum for dedicated advisor relationship
- ✕Tiered fee schedule requires careful review
Betterment Premium
Automated portfolio management with CFP access
Betterment Premium is the best automated advisor for families who want sophisticated tax optimization, goal-based planning, and CFP access without the minimums required by traditional wealth managers. The tax-loss harvesting alone often pays for the fee.
PROS
- ✓Automatic tax-loss harvesting saves meaningful money annually
- ✓CFP access via messaging with $100K+ invested
- ✓Goal-based investing for college, house, retirement simultaneously
CONS
- ✕CFP access requires $100K minimum for Premium
- ✕Less customizable than working with a traditional advisor
Ellevest
Financial planning designed around women's specific financial lives
Ellevest addresses a real gap: traditional financial planning tools are built on male career and earnings assumptions. Their women-specific algorithms, coaching resources, and community make it the standout choice for women taking control of their family finances.
PROS
- ✓Investment algorithm accounts for women's longer life expectancy and pay gap
- ✓Access to career coaches and financial coaches at higher tiers
- ✓Strong community and education resources for women investors
CONS
- ✕Monthly subscription model on top of investment fees
- ✕Less established than Vanguard or Fidelity options
Facet
Your own dedicated CFP — without the assets-under-management markup
Facet's flat-fee model eliminates the conflict of interest inherent in percentage-based AUM fees. Your dedicated CFP has no incentive to grow your portfolio beyond what's right for your family — and their comprehensive planning scope covers taxes, insurance, and estate alongside investments.
PROS
- ✓Dedicated CFP assigned to your family — not a team rotation
- ✓Flat annual fee means advisor's incentive isn't tied to your account size
- ✓Comprehensive planning: investments, taxes, insurance, estate
CONS
- ✕Flat fee can be expensive for smaller portfolios
- ✕No minimum investment but annual fee starts at $2,400