# Personal Path Financial Planning

Personal Path Financial Planning is a RIA based in Raleigh-Durham.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** RIA
- **Headquarters:** Raleigh-Durham
- **Founded:** 2017
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** personalpathfinancialplanning.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/maryrmacdonald

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 289380
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** No
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/289380

## About

Personal Path Financial Planning is an independent, fee-only financial firm that provides down-to-earth financial advice and caring client experiences for individuals, couples, families, and business owners in North Carolina. Led by Mary Macdonald, a financial industry veteran of nearly 30 years, the firm partners with clients on savings and investment plans without corporate mandates or account minimums.

## Sectors

- Financial Services
- Wealth Management

## People

- Mary Macdonald — Founder & Financial Planner

## Questions

### Is Personal Path Financial Planning a fiduciary?

Yes, as a registered investment advisor, the firm operates under a fiduciary duty to act in the client's best interest. This means it must disclose all material conflicts and place client interests ahead of its own, as per the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

### How is Personal Path Financial Planning different from a large wirehouse like Merrill Lynch?

Personal Path Financial Planning operates as an independent, fee-only RIA, while Merrill Lynch uses a broker-dealer model with commission-based sales. The smaller firm avoids proprietary products, has no sales quotas, and often charges a flat fee instead of a percentage of AUM. This structure eliminates many conflicts of interest.

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Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:07:49.000Z

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