Wealth Management
01/13/2016
Top 5 Reasons to Work with a Financial Advisor
By Will Nelson, SVP – Head of HilltopSecurities Independent Network
Despite the abundance of financial information available on the Internet, making the right investment decisions is tougher than ever today. The sheer amount of information can be difficult to sort through and digest. And the thousands of investment vehicle choices an investor has available to build a portfolio can be overwhelming.
While most investors choose to work with an investment advisor to build a long-term financial plan and to get help with building a customized investment portfolio, a trusted advisor can offer other benefits as well. Let’s look at some of the top reasons to work with a financial advisor.
- A sounding board for financial decisions.
A quality financial advisor brings experience and perspective to the table. Most advisors have spent many years and thousands of hours understanding, analyzing and managing personal finance issues for clients – many who have similar issues to you. While you may have ideas about how you want to manage your investments, a financial advisor can bring additional ideas and opportunities that you may not have considered. - Ongoing review of your plan and portfolio.
Despite the best laid plans, life can throw a curveball your way, which may require a change to your financial plan. Plus, shifting market and economic conditions may call for adjustments to the investments in your portfolio. But waiting to seek the help of a financial advisor when a crisis hits is not the best plan. If you already have a relationship with an advisor in place, you’ll have the ability to act more quickly when needed with the advice of an advisor who already knows you. - Discipline and accountability.
While you probably consider your personal finances important, it may not be your top priority given the number of responsibilities and activities you are likely managing every day. So even if you have a financial plan, you may not be doing everything you need to do in the timeframe when it needs to happen. A financial advisor can bring discipline and accountability to your long-term financial plans. Your time is valuable, so allowing a professional to do this work for you can enhance the overall quality of your life. - A voice of reason.
When markets decline or are volatile, many investors panic and sell their investments at the worst possible time. Since emotions can cloud your judgment, it’s helpful to have the guidance and insights of a financial advisor who can help you make decisions based on facts and research and an eye toward your long-term financial goals. A quality financial advisor is there to guide you during both the good times and the bad – when you need them most. - A bridge to address the goals of both spouses.
Couples or family members with a stake in the financial plan often don’t share the same goals, priorities or investment philosophy. A skilled financial advisor can help educate a couple with competing priorities about the various financial solutions available to them and develop a plan that addresses both of their concerns over the long term. Also, in cases where one spouse tends to handle most of the finances, using a financial advisor makes the transition of financial responsibilities to another spouse or heirs more seamless in the event of death or disability.
The right financial advisor can help you develop a unique financial plan, invest your assets appropriately and guide you toward your short- and long-term goals.
For more information about our goals-based planning approach and working with a HilltopSecurities financial advisor, contact Will Nelson at William.Nelson@hilltopsecurities.com or 214-859-1516.
Suitability of products mentioned herein must be determined on an individual basis. Not all products are suitable for all investors. Additional investor education is available through: FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) at www.finra.org; Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) at www.sifma.org; and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) at www.msrb.org, EMMA (Electronic Municipal Market Access) System at www.emma.msrb.org, or DPC Data’s MuniFilings at www.munifilings.com.
