Whether you are an experienced investor or just starting out, a financial professional can help support your financial goals and bring clarity to issues you may not have thought about, such as:
Income and savings -- This may be a particularly important topic if you anticipate changing jobs, starting a business, or staying home to care for children.
Retirement -- An investment professional can help you calculate your goals and evaluate your investment risk tolerance.
College -- An investment professional can help you take advantage of the often-complex governing educational funding and financial aid.
Estate planning -- Having a tax-efficient plan for the distribution of assets to your heirs may allow them to keep more of the money you accumulated during your lifetime.
Contingency fund -- Thinking about the possibility of a job loss or illness is not pleasant; however, an investment professional can help you work toward building a surplus for unexpected events.
Preparing for Your First Meeting
To help you create a formal financial plan, your financial
professional will need to assess your personal situation, including your
tolerance for risk, current portfolio allocation, and time horizon, among other
matters.
At your first meeting, you may want to bring important documents such as wills,
insurance policies, and savings and investment account statements. The more
information you can provide, the easier it will be for your advisor to get a
clear understanding of your situation and goals. Some investment professionals
use a series of worksheets to identify a client's current financial
circumstance and to design a personal plan of action.
Because a financial plan is a long-term, working document, it makes sense to
meet with your professional at least once a year to make adjustments for any
changes in lifestyle and market conditions.
Building a relationship of trust takes time. The sooner you contact a financial professional, the sooner you will be able to take charge of your finances, simplify your financial life, and devote your energy to other important matters.
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