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Advisor Contract Checklist (Sign-Ready in 10 Minutes)
Updated on November 23, 2025
A fast, practical pre-signature review. Check the items that are clearly covered in your agreement/ADV. We’ll flag gaps, compute a readiness score, and prepare a one-click email to request fixes.
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Status: Start checking items you can confirm from your agreement and ADV.
1) Fiduciary Duty & Standard of Care
fiduciary duty at all times (not only “when providing advisory services”).disclose & mitigate conflicts (referenced to Form ADV).Code of Ethics / fiduciary policy provided or linked.Form ADV (Parts 2A/2B) or SEC/IAPD link included.Contract permits commissioned product sales / dual-registration without clear fiduciary scopePotential conflict
2) Scope & Deliverables
services & deliverables listed (planning topics, rebalancing, tax guidance, meeting cadence).
3) Fees & Billing (in dollars)
Fee schedule in dollars (AUM % with tier table + effective %, or fixed/retainer/hourly amounts).pro-rata refund on termination.Revenue-sharing / shelf-space fees without explicit client consent or offset Potential conflict
4) Conflicts & Incentives
Sales quotas / proprietary product requirements Red flag
5) Termination, Portability & Service Levels
Right to terminate anytime without exit penalty; how to transfer/ACAT out.
6) Privacy, Security & Data Handling
7) Disputes, Arbitration & Liability
Mandatory arbitration in distant venue or one-sided fee shifting Red flag
Notes & follow-ups (optional)
Copy “Please fix” email
Download checklist notes (.txt)
Related: before you sign, price the relationship with what a financial advisor costs ; if you are replacing an advisor, the termination receipt email closes out the old one cleanly.
