# Financial advisors for mid-life transitions in California > For mid-life transitions in California, talk to a fee-only planner who slows you down before a big decision. A career change, a death, or a sudden inheritance rarely needs action in the first weeks, and a good planner will say so. Records to start with include Kimberly Helm of Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Thao Truong of Anora Wealth and Ulrich Keller of Ducere Wealth Management. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/mid-life-transitions/california/ 82 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated October 30, 2026. Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions. ## Which financial advisor should I talk to during a mid-life transition in California? For mid-life transitions in California, talk to a fee-only planner who slows you down before a big decision. A career change, a death, or a sudden inheritance rarely needs action in the first weeks, and a good planner will say so. Records to start with include Kimberly Helm of Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Thao Truong of Anora Wealth and Ulrich Keller of Ducere Wealth Management. - [Kimberly Helm](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kimberly-helm/), Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC, Pasadena. Holds the CFP and CDFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly. - [Thao Truong](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thao-truong/), Anora Wealth, San Marcos. Holds the CFP and CDFA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, fixed fees. - [Ulrich Keller](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ulrich-keller/), Ducere Wealth Management, Newport Beach. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Jarrett Topel](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jarrett-topel/), Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management, Berkeley. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer. - [Al Faber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/al-faber/), DIWY Financial Planning, Los Angeles. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: one-time planning fee, hourly. - [Cathy Curtis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cathy-curtis/), Curtis Financial Planning, LLC, Oakland. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with mid-life transitions? The Wellspent public graph lists 82 fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California, at 47 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## Where are fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California located? Of the 82 fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California, 16 are in Newport Beach, followed by 7 in Los Angeles and 6 in San Francisco. ## How do fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California is a percentage of assets, used by 88% of the 82 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 51% charge fixed fees and 50% charge by the hour. ## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California? Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms. ## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California? A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms. ## What credentials should a financial advisor for mid-life transitions have? For mid-life transitions, look for the CFP and CDFA. In California, 61% of the 82 advisors listed hold the CFP. - CFP (61% of advisors listed): The CFP covers the whole picture while it's changing. - CDFA (2% of advisors listed): The CDFA helps if divorce is part of the change. ## How do California advisors for mid-life transitions compare with the rest of the US? 50% of fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California charge by the hour, compared with 41% of the 518 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## What should I ask a financial advisor during a mid-life transition in California? - What should I not do in the next six months? - How would you test whether I can afford this change? - How do you work with people going through a hard time? - What can you do for a one-time fee? ## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for mid-life transitions in California? Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record. ## Advisors | Advisor | Firm | Location | Credentials | Fees | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Al Faber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/al-faber.md) | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Matthew Showley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-showley.md) | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego, California | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Laryssa Freeman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/laryssa-freeman.md) | Meritage Wealth Management LLC | Carlsbad, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Cynthia Jabr](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cynthia-jabr.md) | Brand New Day Wealth Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [Evor Vattuone](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evor-vattuone.md) | Aspire Planning Associates, Inc. | Cupertino, California | CFP, CFS | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets | | [Nannette Belt](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nannette-belt.md) | Inspiration Financial Planning LLC | Carlsbad, California | CFP, RICP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee | | [Neil Portus](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/neil-portus.md) | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville, California | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee | | [Steve Heinemann](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steve-heinemann.md) | Recalibrating Wealth | Fountain Valley, California | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Cathy Curtis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cathy-curtis.md) | Curtis Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Gerald Gasber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gerald-gasber.md) | Gasber Financial Advisors, Inc. | Folsom, California | CFP, CFS, CIMA, CIMC, CPFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Michael Randall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-randall.md) | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Sarah Maitre](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sarah-maitre.md) | Camriel Advisors | Mount Shasta, California | CFP, CFA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Steven Medland](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-medland.md) | TABR Capital Management, LLC | Orange, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Uchechi Kalu](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/uchechi-kalu.md) | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Ongoing planning fee | | [David Carlson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-carlson.md) | Sound Investment Management, LLC | Newport Beach, California | CFP, ChFC, CKA, MBA | Percentage of assets | | [Kimberly Helm](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kimberly-helm.md) | Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC | Pasadena, California | CFP, CDFA, CFA, MBA, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Mark Stempel](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mark-stempel.md) | Encore Wealth Advisors, LLC | Nevada City, California | CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee | | [Ginger Ames](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ginger-ames.md) | Whisper Financial LLC | Cobb, California | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Jack Stemper](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jack-stemper.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Jarrett Topel](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jarrett-topel.md) | Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management | Berkeley, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly | | [Thao Truong](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thao-truong.md) | Anora Wealth | San Marcos, California | CFP, CDFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Ulrich Keller](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ulrich-keller.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Zane Keller](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/zane-keller.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Bridget Harkins](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bridget-harkins.md) | Wheels Up Wealth, Inc. | Benicia, California | CFP | One-time planning fee | | [Lavina Nagar](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lavina-nagar.md) | Maya Advisors, Inc. | Palo Alto, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Matthew Davis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-davis-5853796.md) | Sherwood Financial Partners | Westlake Village, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Yvonne Darby](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/yvonne-darby.md) | Sherwood Financial Partners | Westlake Village, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Bradley Sayre](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bradley-sayre.md) | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Brian Breen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brian-breen.md) | Breen Wealth Management | Petaluma, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Bryan Theall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bryan-theall.md) | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Carolina Ortiz](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/carolina-ortiz.md) | Shared Vision Wealth Group | Carlsbad, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [David Hutchison](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-hutchison.md) | Triad Investment Management | Newport Beach, California | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [John Heldman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-heldman.md) | Triad Investment Management | Laguna Niguel, California | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Mary Storjohann](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-storjohann.md) | Allora Wealth | Chula Vista, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Nicholas Bzovi](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nicholas-bzovi.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | CFA | Percentage of assets | | [Cherie Putman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cherie-putman.md) | Women's Wellness and Wealth | Torrance, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Iftikhar Ahmed](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/iftikhar-ahmed.md) | Kaizen Financial Strategies | Pleasanton, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Saadia Ahmed](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/saadia-ahmed.md) | Kaizen Financial Strategies | Pleasanton, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Brent Woolsey](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brent-woolsey.md) | Red Crane Wealth | Palo Alto, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [Cody Columna](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cody-columna.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Danielle Miura](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/danielle-miura.md) | Spark Financials | Elk Grove, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Gavin Distasi](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gavin-distasi.md) | Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management | Berkeley, California | | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Hourly | | [Jeffrey Wu](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jeffrey-wu.md) | Red Crane Wealth | Palo Alto, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees | | [John Harrington](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-harrington-1257672.md) | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Michael Power](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-power.md) | Power Investing | Danville, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Ryan Melnyk](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-melnyk.md) | Manzanita Wealth Management | West Sacramento, California | | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee | | [Taylor Bell](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/taylor-bell.md) | Aequitas Financial | Santa Ana, California | | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Kristian Blom](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kristian-blom.md) | Blom Levy & Co | Santa Barbara, California | | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Lisa Sharp](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lisa-sharp.md) | Spectrum Asset Management | Newport Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Michael Ottman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-ottman.md) | Spectrum Asset Management | Newport Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | Showing the first 50 of 82. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/mid-life-transitions/california/?page=2 ## Related - [Retirement planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/california.md) - [Estate planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/california.md) - [Tax planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/california.md) - [Founders in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/california.md) - [Family wealth transfer in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/california.md) - [Retirees in California](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/california.md) ## About this data Sources and verification: https://find.wellspent.co/methodology/ Query the directory programmatically: https://api.wellspent.co/mcp (MCP, read-only, no auth).