How can I find a respectable financial advisor in the Seattle area who
has knowledge about consumer debt management and stock options, as
well as general info -- or what are some names of financial advisors
who fit this profile?

Inquisitive - - 

Certified financial planners have emerged over the past 15 years as
independent sources of financial analysis for individuals.  They may
be able to serve as a security dealer but do not make trading in
stocks or bonds a prime portion of their income.  Rather they are to
function as advisors across a range of products and also should have a
detailed understanding of tax issues.

And an organization has been established to make sure the certified
financial planners have an up-to-date knowledge of investments and
their risks.  The organization that controls this process is listed
below; I've linked their page for consumers because it describes what
to expect and how to screen a financial planner:
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
"Learn About Financial Planning" (2002)
http://www.cfp-board.org/cons_main.html

Some companies or individuals with CFPs in the Seattle area include:
M.W. Boone
http://www.mwboone.com/

Kim Chaloupka
http://www.pegcheng.com/finplanner.html

Phil Multop
http://www.multop.com/aboutus.html

Eric A. Smith
http://www.firstaffirmative.com/profiles/FMESmith.htm

Progressive Investment
http://www.progressiveinvestment.com/people.html


Using the following Google search strategy will yield more than 1,600
links with individual practitioners and companies capable of working
with.  Many have profiles of the types of work that they've done so
that you can make a personal selection:
"certified financial planner" + Seattle

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

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Request for Answer Clarification by inquisitive77-ga on 08 Feb 2003 10:27 PST

I asked specifically about advisors with expertise in consumer debt
(ie, credit card) management. I have a good cash flow, but have NO
investments (as the people you gave me work with) and $40,000 in
credit card debt. Please clarify answer with respect to that. I am in
serious need/trouble -- and have $0 to invest in anything. Thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by omnivorous-ga on 10 Feb 2003 12:29 PST

Inquisitive --

Stock options are an area which certified financial planners would be
especially helpful in devising strategies for risk management;
conversion to stock; and tax strategies.  They would probably be
familiar and helpful with credit management issues too.

However, if you're seeking credit counseling services, there are
non-profit organizations that have seen every kind of financial
situation.  The best-known and one of the longest-lived is Credit
Counseling of Seattle, now known as Solutions.  They can be reached at
(800) 634-2227.

Another option is a series of money-management classes are scheduled
from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18 and
July 16 at the King County Bar Association offices, 900 Fourth Ave.,
Suite 600. Registration is required via phone at (206) 340-2588.

A Seattle P-I article explains why the Debtor-Credit Resource Project
at the King County Bar Association set up this program:
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Bankruptcy Filings Soar" (Feb. 7, 2003)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/107656_bankrupt07.shtml

The P-I article and another from the New York Times recommends
screening "credit counseling" agencies carefully.  Many refer to
themselves as "non-profit" agencies but are really controlled by
for-profit firms that require up-front fees; will restructure debt
without reducing the amount owed; and often concentrate on getting
lenders interest payments as their prime goal.

The New York Times article and an even more-critical Washington Post
article on AmeriDebt (a credit counseling firm) are here:
Christian Oriented Education
"Credit Counselors Have Problems Too" (Jan. 20, 2002)
http://www.coeinc.org/AllSections/AmeriDebt-WashingtonPost.htm

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

The answerer did NOT address the main element of my
question--financial advisors with experience in consumer debt
management. All the people he recommended were finance/investment
folks, so the answer is 100% not helpful.