Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The ethical obligation of a CFP® professional in this scenario is to keep the information confidential and continue the engagement. Confidentiality is a foundational principle in financial planning and any professional relationship. While the CFP® professional must respect the client's privacy and discretion regarding sensitive information, they also have a duty to provide sound financial advice and assistance.

Maintaining confidentiality ensures that trust is preserved, which is crucial for effective financial planning and for addressing any challenges that arise, such as the spouse's gambling problem. By continuing the engagement, the professional can help the client work through their financial situation, potentially addressing the gambling problem's implications on the couple’s financial goals and plans without jeopardizing the client's trust by disclosing sensitive information.

In this context, other options involve either breaching confidentiality or prematurely terminating the relationship, which would not serve the client's best interests or the principles of responsible financial planning. By keeping the information confidential while proceeding with the engagement, the professional can navigate this sensitive issue effectively while prioritizing the client’s well-being and financial stability.