Many people walk into their first financial advisor meeting unsure of what to expect. A little preparation goes a long way toward making it productive.
In This Guide
Know Your Numbers
Before the meeting, gather your key financial data: monthly income and expenses, outstanding debts (balances, interest rates), retirement account balances, and a rough estimate of your net worth. You don't need exact figures, but ballpark numbers help the advisor understand your situation quickly. A budget tracker spreadsheet can make this easy.
Define Your Goals
Think about what you want to achieve financially in the next 1, 5, and 20 years. Buying a home? Retirement by 60? Funding a child's education? Paying off debt? The more specific you can be, the more actionable the advisor's recommendations will be.
Prepare Your Questions
The first meeting should be a two-way interview. Key questions to ask: Are you a fiduciary? How are you paid? What's your investment philosophy? Who is your typical client? What does onboarding look like? How do you communicate with clients?
Documents to Bring
Recent tax returns (last 1-2 years), recent pay stubs or income statements, retirement account statements, insurance policy summaries, and any existing estate planning documents (will, trust, power of attorney) if relevant.
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