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Keep it simple.  Make it personal. Have fun.

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Todd Degelman
Vice-Chairman & Founder, Senior Investment Advisor

Many people know they need a Wealth Advisor but don’t understand where to start, where to go, what’s important or what to say.

Our advice? Ask questions—lots of questions. The more you ask, the more you’ll learn. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to make important decisions about you, your family, and your wealth.

Choose an investment advisor who is thorough. Find someone who understands your individual situation and will help you realize your investment goals, whether that means building your wealth or preserving it.

Here are a few things to consider:

Trust is #1 when working with a Wealth Advisor. This is just like working with your doctor. In order to get help, you need to be completely honest about everything, and you cannot do that if you don’t trust the person you’re working with. That means feeling comfortable with having open and honest conversations about your family and financial affairs.

Know what is your Wealth Advisor good at. Part of being human is understanding that we all have strengths and weaknesses, so ask your Wealth Advisor about his or hers. This is about aligning people who are a “fit” from a personality perspective. How will you know about the person you trust your financial well-being with unless you ask a few pointed questions? Be sure to ask your Wealth Advisor about the types of clients he or she serves—and don’t be afraid to ask for client references.

Look for unbiased advice and exclusive investment solutions. Some financial institutions firms are restricted to offering certain investments or proprietary products. Ideally, you want an Investment Advisor who is free to choose the products and services that reflect your best interests. Also, look for an Investment Advisor who has access to innovative and exclusive investment solutions that may not be available to regular retail investors.

Think Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic has an army of specialists. The best results come from bringing together all the specialists who are required to provide you with optimal health, and not from relying on one doctor who specializes in nothing. The same is true with your wealth. Does your Wealth Advisor have access to advice specialists for your specific needs? Demand the Mayo Clinic advice model.

Look for communication and reporting that’s tailored to your needs. An investment advisor should customize communication and reporting to suit your needs. Let your investment advisor know how you prefer to communicate, as well as how often. Also, be sure to ask what types of reporting they can provide.

Insist on a strong support team. Investment advisors who have strong support teams are going to be able to work more efficiently and effectively, allowing them more time to spend on managing your account.