This thread discusses the Content article: A Simpler Life May Be the Answer To A Comfortable Retirement

The simple fact of it is that many (maybe most) advisers have SOME incentive other than maximizing their client's wealth / risk adjusted return. I have friends who work in private wealth management for blue-chip firms, and most of them admit that all of the talk about being un-biased and "open architecture" platforms is thrown out when it comes down to the day-to-day. They are compensated most for business development (i.e. bringing in new clients) and for generating revenue from their current clients, whether or not it's good for them. Assets are "sticky" - people don't want to move their accounts for various reasons, and they feel comfortable telling others that they have their money with Goldman or Merrill because it's a good name with lots of marketing behind it.

I think word-of-mouth and choosing a fee-only adviser without ties to a big financial institution is a good start, as well as asking for a full disclosure of fees / compensation from the adviser you choose.