
Relying on an expert to help with financial decisions probably sounds good to most people. The problem is finding that person who understands your needs, and more important, who you can trust. Here are my suggestions for when you should consider an advisor, what to expect, where to start and how to choose one.
One of the most important times to seek advice is when life changes like these occur:
While styles may vary, the most important result should be a sound financial plan. At a minimum, advisors should help:
Finding the right advisor takes homework. Friends and family can make suggestions, but ultimately you need to find a professional who has qualities that make you feel comfortable sharing information about your life and money. We suggest an advisor who:
Advisors can be affiliated with large or small firms or be independent (run their own advisory business). Both types have advantages, but in the end, it's your comfort level that matters. Review the advisor's qualifications with these questions:
Making the decision to work with a financial partner is significant. Finding the right one is even more important. If you have an advisor, we suggest you talk about any questions this article may have sparked.
The opinions expressed are those of American Century Investments (or the portfolio manager) and are no guarantee of the future performance of any American Century Investments' portfolio. This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.
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