Protecting your wealth takes more than finding someone you trust. It takes transparency, due diligence, and a disciplined approach to managing risk.
Trust is essential in any financial relationship. But what happens when that trust is misplaced?
In September 2026, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was identified among the victims of a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme operated by former investment advisor. The advisor was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he took in more than $35 million from investors but invested only about $10 million. He was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution. The extent of Kelce’s individual financial losses has not been publicly disclosed.
It is a sobering reminder: financial fraud can affect successful, intelligent, and financially sophisticated people.
Trust matters. But trust should never replace due diligence.
Whether you are preparing for retirement, managing an inheritance, selling a business, or building wealth for your family, here are five questions worth asking the person you trust with your financial future.
1. Can I independently verify what I own?
Understand where your assets are held, who has custody of them, and how you receive account statements. Independent custody and regular account reporting can provide important safeguards.
Be cautious if someone discourages you from contacting the institution holding your assets or makes it difficult to verify your account information independently.
2. Do I understand how my adviser gets paid?
Ask whether your adviser receives fees, commissions, referral compensation, or other financial benefits. Understand potential conflicts of interest and how they are addressed.
A trustworthy professional should explain the compensation arrangement clearly and help you understand what you are paying for.
3. Do the investment risks make sense?
Be skeptical of promises of unusually high or consistent returns with little apparent risk. Ask what could go wrong, whether you can access your money when needed, and how an investment fits into your overall financial plan.
Every investment involves trade-offs. You should understand them before committing your hard-earned money.
4. Have I verified credentials and regulatory history?
Personal referrals can be valuable, but they are not a substitute for independent research.
Use FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database to check relevant registrations and available disciplinary information. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
5. Can I ask difficult questions and get straightforward answers?
Your adviser should welcome questions, explain recommendations in understandable plain language, disclose relevant conflicts, and help you evaluate alternatives.
You should never feel pressured to invest in something you do not understand—or believe you must act immediately to avoid missing out.
Protecting wealth requires more than investment performance.
At Glenwood Financial Partners, we believe wealth management begins with understanding the person behind the portfolio.
Our work with individuals, families, business owners, and trusts combines personalized financial planning, disciplined investment management, thoughtful risk assessment, and clear communication. As a fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm, we focus on helping clients make informed decisions aligned with their goals and circumstances.
No investment professional can eliminate every risk. Markets will fluctuate, and even carefully considered investments can disappoint. But transparency, appropriate safeguards, and a disciplined decision-making process can help investors better understand the risks they take.
Ultimately, the goal is not simply to grow assets. It is to help you use the wealth you have worked hard to build to support your retirement, provide for your family, and pursue the life that matters to you.
Five CORE VALUES drive the service and advocacy we deliver for families.
A question worth asking yourself
Is your financial relationship built on trust alone—or on a process that helps you verify, understand, and evaluate the decisions being made on your behalf?
You do not need to be facing a financial crisis to ask that question. A periodic second look at your investments, fees, risks, and long-term plan can be valuable at any stage of life.
At Glenwood Financial Partners, we welcome thoughtful conversations about your financial priorities and the future you want to build. We specialize in plain language and privacy.
Protecting your wealth begins with asking the right questions!