(MONEY Magazine) – Q. I'd like to find a reputable financial planner close to my home in Sun City, Ariz. How do I go about it?

A. Your best bet is to deal with someone who comes recommended. Get suggestions from friends, relatives and colleagues who seem to manage their money admirably and whose financial situation is similar to yours. You can also get referrals to local planners by using the search function on the websites of professional groups like the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org), the Financial Planning Association (fpanet.org) and the Garrett Planning Network (garrettplanning.com). Once you have a few candidates, interview them by phone. Ask about their experience and qualifications, and how they'll be paid. You can verify the latter via Part 2 of their ADV, an SEC filing that they are required by law to give you. Advisers paid on commission need to sell you investments to make a living, so focus instead on fee-only planners who charge by the project or by the hour (usually $150 to $250). Before committing, request a sample plan to see if the advice is clear and addresses the issues you want solved.