Folks, I should probably never have mentioned I used an AUM percentage fee-based advisor. It appears to have become a distraction from the question I was attempting to ask.
Forget about any previous advisors I might have mentioned and their fees I might have paid and the returns I might have forgone because of it. What I wanted to do in my first post on this forum was, in addition to introducing myself, ask if anyone had experience with an hourly fee-based advisor. It sounds like the vast majority on this forum absolutely hate the idea of someone assisting them with their finances. It seems coming here to ask about financial advisors is about as popular as coming to an automobile enthusiast forum to ask about mechanics. I don't repair my own car, or mow my own lawn, and so forth. Rather, I'm willing to pay someone (or maybe a robo-someone) what I deem a fair price for the job. The issue with my present advisor whom I should never have mentioned is that I don't believe I'm getting good value. They're doing an absolutely bog-standard job, and that's fine, because I'm risk-averse and content to invest in exactly whatever way conventional wisdom suggests I should, but I don't need to pay them a percentage quarterly for them to do nothing most quarters. I'd rather hire someone on an as-needed basis.
If I have specific questions in the future, I'll post them in the appropriate sub-forum, but I will be sure not to mention anything about financial advisors.
I think depending on how much you have Vanguard offers financial assessments if you reach out and ask. They are frequently asking me if I would like to schedule time with an advisor but I politely decline. Merrill Edge offers the same services, at least they do for me.
That said, the reason you get the eye rolls here is because many here have been there and done that or they know someone who has been there and done that. If someone starts criticizing or taking shots directly then just consider it trolling and ignore them.
I have a good friend who is a fee-only, no commission financial advisor who caters to high net worth clients. First thing he asks is about your objectives and helps if you don't know what your objectives are. He assesses your current situation and then presents sample scenarios/portfolios as examples of how to approach your method based on risk tolerance and income requirements, etc. This is what I would be looking for with a financial advisor. The first question I would ask is if he/she has any piece of your action, that is any incentive to initiate any action for you. If he/she is straight with you he will disclose any possible conflict of interest such as a referral bonus, etc. If there is any commission structure or activity-based incentive then I would get up and run as fast as you can for the exits.
I would also listen for keywords like diversification, expense ratios and fees. A lot can be given away just by how those keywords are used. If he/she is steering you towards Vanguard/Schwab/Fidelity then this is probably a good thing. If you hear an insurance company or annuity mentioned you need to do your own homework and assess if there are alterior motives in play. I can tell you with some amount of certainty if you are recommended to choose one of the following (VG,Sch,FID) then it is a pretty good indicator of positive mojo.
In the end, it is your assets, not anyone else's. Take care of your assets and you will do well.