Planning

Questions to Ask Before Meeting a Financial Planner

5 min read · Published 2026-04-01

What This Guide Is

This is a preparation resource, not financial advice. Meeting with a licensed financial planner can be genuinely helpful — but walking in unprepared can leave you feeling lost or pressured into decisions you don't fully understand.

The questions below are designed to help you or your aging parent feel confident, informed, and in control before that first meeting.

10 Questions to Bring to a Licensed Financial Planner

• **What services do you provide, and are you a fiduciary?** A fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interest — not just recommend "suitable" products.

• **How are you compensated — fee-only, commission, or both?** Fee-only planners charge you directly. Commission-based planners earn money when you buy certain products. Knowing this matters.

• **Are you registered with the SEC or state regulator?** You can verify an adviser's registration and background at investor.gov/check-your-investment-professional.

• **What experience do you have with retirement income planning?** Ask specifically about clients in a similar situation — age, assets, goals, family structure.

• **How do you handle required minimum distributions?** RMDs are mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts starting at age 73. How an adviser manages these affects taxes and cash flow.

• **Can you help coordinate with my estate attorney or accountant?** Retirement, estate, and tax planning overlap significantly. A good planner works with your other advisers, not around them.

• **What happens to my accounts if something happens to you?** Understand the succession plan — who steps in to manage your relationship if the adviser retires, sells their practice, or is incapacitated.

• **How often will we meet to review my plan?** Plans need regular updates as health, income, and family circumstances change. Get clarity on cadence upfront.

• **What documents should I bring to our first meeting?** Typical items include Social Security statements, account statements, insurance policies, a list of debts, and any existing estate planning documents.

• **How do I check your background and credentials?** Use FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org) for brokers and investor.gov/check-your-investment-professional for registered investment advisers.

Where to Verify an Adviser

Before or after your meeting, check any financial adviser's background at: investor.gov/check-your-investment-professional

This free tool from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lets you see an adviser's registration status, licenses, and any disciplinary history.

A Note on This Guide

This guide is educational. LovenFlow does not provide financial or investment advice. The questions above are meant to help you start a more informed conversation with a qualified professional — not to replace one.