Independent, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Arlington, VA
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
When you're planning for college expenses, you want an advisor who understands the specific rules and benefits of 529 plans and UTMA accounts, which are savings vehicles with tax advantages for education. A common mistake is not aligning the savings strategy with your family's financial aid goals, which can reduce the aid you receive.
- Account type guidance. Confirm how they choose between 529 plans and UTMA accounts based on your family's needs and state-specific benefits.
- Investment options. Ask how they select investment portfolios within these accounts to balance growth potential and risk over your child's timeline.
- Financial aid impact. Ensure they consider how your savings affect eligibility for need-based aid and plan accordingly.
- Independent advice. Since these advisors are independent, check how they tailor recommendations without being tied to specific financial products.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Michael B
Series 65
Arlington, VA
Braswell Capital, LLC
Michael Braswell specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, offering independent advice tailored to families in Arlington, VA. His firm emphasizes low-cost, hourly financial planning with a focus on cash flow, debt management, and serving minorities, differentiating him through a fiduciary approach without asset-based fees or custody of client assets.
Experience: 3 years
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Julia M
Series 66
Arlington, VA
Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC
Julia Madden specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by her Series 66 designation and four years of experience in Arlington, VA. She offers flat-fee and hourly financial planning through Kestra Private Wealth Services, a firm managing $10.2 billion with nearly 200 independent advisors, providing access to diverse investment platforms and retirement plan services.
Experience: 5 years
Avg account: $653,677
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Bill N
CFP®
Arlington, VA
Pacesetter Planning LLC
Bill Nelson Jr. offers independent, flat-fee financial planning in Arlington, VA, with a focus on college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. As a CFP®-certified advisor with 10 years of experience, he specializes in helping millennial couples manage finances collaboratively, blending financial therapy with practical planning to support both education funding and relationship harmony.
Experience: 11 years
Avg account: $278,436
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Paul C
CFP®
Arlington, VA
Legacy Planning Advisors, LLC
Paul Collinson specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging 14 years of experience and CFP® certification to navigate tax and estate planning aspects in Arlington, VA. His fee-only, hourly planning approach through Legacy Planning Advisors, LLC offers flexible, independent advice tailored to individual financial goals, distinguishing him from advisors with fixed or product-tied fee structures.
Experience: 14 years
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Vincent G
CFP®, Series 66
Montclair, NJ
Grosso Wealth Management LLC
Vincent Grosso specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging his CFP® certification and five years of experience to tailor plans that consider financial aid impacts. Operating independently from Montclair, NJ, his firm employs a long-term, passive investment approach with index funds and ETFs, offering flat-fee financial planning that distinguishes him from advisors with asset-based fees or active management styles.
Experience: 6 years
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