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Advisors who defect from wirehouses notice almost immediately the benefits of no longer facing constraints set by a large employer's compliance officers. But the newly independent advisors must ensure that they stay within the boundaries of regulatory requirements and that compliance never becomes too time-consuming.

Some breakaway advisors duplicate some of the rah-rah found at their former employers, others relish the newfound informality, but either way, they get to set the tone.

From starting an RIA to joining an independent broker-dealer, there are myriad options for advisors seeking to go independent.

Betterment CEO Jon Stein says his firm is adding 1,000 accounts a week to the tune of about 94,000 with a total of $2.3 billion AUM. Over 30% of assets come from clients age 50 and up, he adds.

RIAs Barry Ritholtz, CIO of Ritholz Wealth Management and David Lyon, CEO of Main Street Financial and Oranj say they've incorporated digital tools into their business models -- partly at the behest of their clients.

With roughly half of American marriages ending in divorce, advisors are likely to find themselves helping clients navigate the process. Financial advisor and divorce expert Michelle Fox warns advisors not to make clients promises they may not be able to keep.

The promise of a multimillion-dollar contract won’t be a factor in whether Tim Duncan returns for his 19th National Basketball Association season, even though the San Antonio Spurs’ All-Star lost more than $20 million to what he says is a dishonest financial adviser.

More than two-thirds of brokerage and RIA executives say there aren't enough young advisors to go around, according to a Fidelity survey.

Four mistakes to watch for when doing a checkup on your client's portfolio. Plus: Knowing when to give up stocks, and how annuity withdrawals are taxed

“The ‘couples conundrum’ is a real risk for financial advisors, who need to get closer to couples and make a deeper connection with them,” says Jennifer Pedigo, managing director for TIAA-CREF Asset Management.