Why Benefit From a Financial Planner
How do you know if you could benefit from the services of a financial planner? You may not have the expertise, the time or the desire to actively plan and manage certain financial aspects of your life. You may want help getting started. You may benefit from an objective, third-party perspective on what are often emotional, difficult decisions. And in today’s hectic world, it can be beneficial to have a financial planning professional help to make sure you stay focused and follow through with your financial plans.
Often a specific event or need will trigger the desire for professional financial planning guidance. These might include:
- Making sure your money will last during retirement or rolling over a retirement plan
- Handling the inheritance of a large sum of money or other unexpected financial windfall
- Preparing for a marriage or divorce
- Planning for the birth or adoption of a child
- Facing a financial crisis such as a serious illness, layoff or natural disaster
- Caring for aging parents or a disabled child
- Coping financially with the death of a spouse or close family member
- Funding education
- Buying, selling or passing on a family business
If you have the time and knowledge — and your financial situation is not too complicated — you may be able to do a lot of it on your own. However, there are some situations where you may find you need a financial planner, such as:
- You have little or no experience with finances;
- You don’t have the inclination to do it;
- You want an objective, outside perspective;
- You have a complex financial situation; or —
And this is usually the biggest obstacle for “do-it-yourselfers” —
- You don’t have the time
Procrastination is the greatest enemy of financial independence, and using a financial planner will help keep you on track. There are some other advantages to using a planner. Some aspects of financial planning may be too complex for most people, such as calculating how long your retirement capital will last or maximizing tax strategies. An experienced financial planner will work with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents, to coordinate their efforts with your overall financial needs.
