Many people envision a financial advisor as someone who can give financial advice, especially when it comes to investing. While we certainly do that, it is only PART of what we do. There is a lot more to financial planning than just picking the right investments. In addition to helping you plan for goals, we can also help you avoid the financial pitfalls that you might not even be aware are there! We’ve identified six situations where you might benefit from having the advice of a financial advisor You’re retiring soon – Maximizing retirement income while also minimizing taxes requires smart decisions around complex topics such as Social Security, 401(k)/TSP, pension options, and IRA withdrawals. You manage your own investments – Individual investors should consider getting a second opinion to review their investment strategies. A financial advisor can help ensure you aren’t overlooking opportunities in your portfolio or taking unnecessary risks. You inherited money – Have you noticed lottery winners often declare bankruptcy? It can be difficult to manage sudden increases in wealth. The process of asset transfer can be tax sensitive if not done properly. You’re divorcing or getting remarried– Untangling finances in a divorce can be messy. Combining finances in a second marriage for people who are already well-established financially can also be complex. Impartial advice is key. You want to build wealth – If you’re still decades from retirement, good decisions today can potentially add thousands to your retirement accounts and can sometimes make the difference between early retirement and having to work well into your golden years. You have a major medical event or terminal illness – While it isn’t easy to focus on finances in the midst of a major health event, there is almost inevitably a financial impact. A financial advisor can help you navigate. In addition to helping choose a suitable investment strategy, financial advisors can help bring order to your financial life, keep you accountable to your goals, and be available to be an objective partner helping you avoid emotionally-driven decisions in important money matters.