The best advice I have ever received on all three subjects is free from people who have experience. Paying people is usually when I get screwed in billables.

Good point.

Some people online like to imply that paying for advice means you can blindly trust it. It's always a good idea to DYOR regardless.

Something that you get with communities like HN and Reddit is being able to read replies to comments pointing out bad advice.

Side question (non crypto related), does paying for it automatically makes the advisor legally liable for the advice in most 'advanced' jurisdictions?

Generally (unfortunately) "not really". For a tax return, for example, the preparers information is on it but you still sign it.

Again, generally speaking they carry insurance much like a doctor has malpractice insurance.

The risk for them is causing enough damage (and the resulting insurance payouts) rendering them uninsurable which is generally a career ending state to be in.

Truly egregious stuff can end up with disbarment and other certifying bodies revoking stuff. Again much like a doctor screwing up to the point where they lose their license.

Then, like anyone else, criminal liability is always a possibility if the situation calls for it.