When is the right time to work with an advisor?
Very few people graduate school and immediately seek out a wealth advisor. Instead, most people understandably focus on building their careers and families.
But at what point does a financial life become complex enough to benefit from working with an advisor? Everyone reaches that tipping point at a different time. Below are several common situations that often prompt people to seek professional guidance.
You realize you want to get more out of life.
Many people reach a point where they want to be more intentional about planning for their family’s future. When thinking about where they want to be in five or 10 years, they may realize they don’t have a clear plan to get there.
An advisor can help clarify long-term priorities and build a goal-based plan designed to support those priorities over time. Working with an advisor who has experience helping clients articulate what matters most—and align decisions accordingly—can bring structure and direction to long-term planning.
The stakes feel higher than they used to.
As financial lives grow, so do the consequences of key decisions. This often becomes especially clear for professionals nearing retirement or business owners considering a transition.
Earlier in life, market volatility can feel more manageable, particularly during years focused on accumulation. As retirement approaches, priorities often shift toward income and preservation, and the impact of downturns can feel more significant if plans are not well coordinated.
For business owners, transitions may involve evaluating a merger or acquisition, preparing for a sale or navigating complex transactions, reporting or litigation. In each case, thoughtful planning becomes increasingly important.
An experienced advisor can help navigate retirement considerations, prepare a business for transition and plan through complexity with greater confidence.
Your situation is becoming more complex, and you want to simplify.
Over time, financial lives tend to accumulate layers: multiple accounts, investment strategies, insurance policies, tax considerations and estate planning documents. Keeping everything organized and aligned can become challenging.
Questions often arise: Are income, investments and savings strategies working together? Are taxes being addressed proactively? Are estate plans and key documents accessible if something unexpected happens?
An experienced advisor can help simplify a financial life by bringing these elements together, helping ensure decisions are aligned with long-term objectives and providing tools to support organization along the way.
For example, many advisors offer secure digital tools that provide a consolidated view of accounts and centralized document storage for items such as wills, estate plans, tax returns and statements. This type of structure can offer reassurance that important information is accessible and coordinated.
You’re experiencing a major life transition.
Significant life events often prompt people to reassess their financial plans. These events may be financial—such as a large bonus, inheritance, job change or income shift—or personal, including marriage, divorce, retirement, relocation or the birth of a child.
During times of transition, individuals often seek guidance to help navigate budgeting, insurance, investments, estate planning and other interconnected decisions. Having a trusted advisor can help bring clarity during periods of change.
You want to spend your time doing other things.
Managing a financial life takes time and attention. Economic conditions change, tax laws evolve and new opportunities and risks emerge.
Some people choose to work with an advisor simply because they prefer to focus their time elsewhere — advancing their careers, spending time with family or pursuing personal interests. An advisor can help manage and coordinate financial decisions so clients can focus on what matters most to them.
You’re ready for greater peace of mind.
Mariner advisors regularly review investment accounts, insurance coverage, documents and planning strategies to help ensure plans remain aligned with changing goals and circumstances.
That ongoing attention can help provide greater confidence and peace of mind over time.
We’ll partner with you to create a wealth plan designed to last today and beyond to help you reach your goals.
This document is for informational use only. Nothing in this publication is intended to constitute legal, tax, or investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or engage in a particular investment strategy. Nothing herein should be relied upon as such. There is no guarantee that any claims made will come to pass. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but Mariner Wealth Advisors does not warrant the accuracy of the information. Consult a financial, tax or legal professional for specific information related to your own situation.
Mariner is the marketing name for the financial services businesses of Mariner Wealth Advisors, LLC and its subsidiaries. Investment advisory services are provided through the brands Mariner Wealth, Mariner Independent, Mariner Institutional, Mariner Ultra, and Mariner Workplace, each of which is a business name of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner. For additional information about each of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner, including fees and services, please contact Mariner or refer to each entity’s Form ADV Part 2A, which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
