The Delicate Art of Firing Your Financial Adviser, Even When They Are a Friend

An attractive older woman in business casual smiles at a man sitting opposite her at an outdoor cafe table. They may be having a meeting or a friendly discussion.

Mixing business with friendship is always risky, but it can get messy when it involves your life savings.

Consider a common dilemma: You hire a financial adviser who moves in your social circle. She’s responsive, kind, and a great friend of a friend — but in the last five years, your portfolio has consistently lagged behind the market. You want to walk away, but you dread the awkwardness at the next gathering.