Flat-fee, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Springfield, IL
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.
Saving for college often starts when you want to make the most of tax-advantaged accounts like 529 plans or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts. Without careful planning, you might miss out on how to balance savings growth with financial aid impact or state tax considerations. Flat-fee advisors charge a set price, so you know what to expect without surprises.
- Account type guidance. Confirm how they choose between 529 plans, UTMA accounts, or other options based on your goals and state rules.
- Contribution strategy. Ask how they recommend timing and amount of contributions to maximize benefits and avoid gift tax issues.
- Financial aid impact. Understand how your savings might affect your child's eligibility for need-based aid and how the advisor plans around that.
- State tax considerations. Even though Illinois doesn't tax retirement income, property taxes can be high; check how they factor this into your overall plan.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
-
Bradley L
Series 63, Series 66
Springfield, IL
Sunbelt Securities, Inc.
Bradley Lakner offers flat-fee financial planning services in Springfield, IL, with 25 years of experience and expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts. His affiliation with Sunbelt Securities, managing $2 billion for diverse clients, and his independent, seasoned approach distinguish him from others by combining broad wealth management and active portfolio management capabilities.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $418,067
-
Jerald B
CFP®
Springfield, IL
Wealth Management Services,LLC
Jerald Barkmeier offers flat-fee financial planning in Springfield, IL, with expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMAs, supported by 27 years of industry experience and CFP® certification. His firm uses a strategic core-and-satellite investment approach emphasizing passive index funds and ETFs, providing personalized services to individuals and small businesses, which distinguishes him from advisors with broader or less specialized offerings.
Experience: 27 years
Avg account: $394,751
-
Christen O
Series 63, Series 66
Springfield, IL
LPL Financial
Christen Owen specializes in college savings strategies like 529 plans and UTMA accounts, offering flat-fee financial planning in Springfield, IL. With six years of experience and credentials including Series 63 and 66, she operates within LPL Financial, a large firm providing advanced portfolio management and a broad range of advisory services, which may offer more comprehensive resources compared to smaller practices.
Experience: 6 years
Avg account: $399,489
-
James B
CFP®
New Berlin, IL
Blankenship Financial Planning, Ltd.
James Blankenship offers flat-fee financial planning services in the Springfield area, specializing in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. With 23 years of experience and CFP® certification, he applies a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach using low-cost index and ETF funds, serving individuals, families, and small businesses with tailored advice and transparent pricing.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $273,905
Want help finding the right advisor?
Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.
Advisors focused on
People also searched
Popular in Springfield, IL
Find advisors by type
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)