How Financial Advisors Can Help With Debt

If you're struggling to get a handle on debt, a financial advisor may be able to help you prioritize your payments and establish a budget. They can also provide other services, such as investment advice, income tax preparation, and estate planning. Here is what you need to know about hiring and working with a financial advisor.

Planning for a Budget to Pay Off Debt

Managing debt is a key component of how a financial advisor can help you plan for a healthy financial future. A capable advisor can map out a client's cash flow and identify existing and potential problem areas.

You should bring important financial documents to your first meeting such as bank statements, credit card bills, installment loan statements, pay stubs, or tax returns for the past several years. Bring any document that may have an impact on their financial situation.

You may feel uncomfortable with someone taking a critical review of your spending habits and past money decisions. But for the meeting to be productive, recognize and accept that you might face some hard truths.

Then, the financial advisor can help you draft a budget that covers your necessary expenses and aims to reduce your debt. This may involve cutting any unnecessary expenses and allotting more money to paying down existing debt.

Analyzing and Restructuring Debts

Some debts have less of an impact on your finances than others. For example, mortgages generally have lower interest rates and can help you build an asset. Others can weigh on your finances, such as credit cards and payday loans, both of which have higher interest rates.

The financial advisor can help you analyze your debt and prioritize your payments. If you have delinquent accounts, those will usually take first priority, followed by accounts with the highest interest rates.

The financial advisor will also look at options for restructuring and consolidating the debt. For example, a homeowner with equity may be able to take out a home equity loan and use that money to pay off their credit card balances. The home equity loan is likely to carry a considerably lower interest rate, which can help save money.

Creating a Long-Term Plan

Financial advisors can also help you establish a long-term plan suited to your specific needs, but their services vary widely depending on your goals.

They will take a holistic approach to considering all your financial goals. For example, if you have dependents, you may need life insurance to provide for them if you die while they are still relying on your income. So, a financial advisor might recommend buying a life insurance policy after you pay down high interest debt. They can review your options for life insurance, and discuss the pros and cons as they relate to your situation.

Financial advisors can also help you plan for how to build an emergency fund for unexpected expenses and how to contribute to a retirement savings account in a way that aligns with your budget.

The advisor should provide you with a written plan that details the recommended course of action. Ideally, the advisor should include financial milestones and red flags so that you can check your progress and make any changes you need to stay on track.

How to Find a Good Financial Advisor

Anybody can call themself a financial advisor, so it's important to check on the credentials of any advisor you might be considering. A reputable financial advisor will typically be credentialed as a certified financial planner (CFP) or chartered financial consultant (ChFC). Some advisors have both of those credentials.

Consider looking for a CFP who is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). NAPFA members are fee-only advisors, meaning that they are paid entirely by the client and don't receive any commissions on investment or insurance products that could potentially bias their advice.

Your financial advisor should also be a fiduciary, meaning they are obligated to act in your best interest. A person can be a financial professional, but if they aren't a fiduciary, you'll have fewer protections on the advice you're getting.

Narrow down your list of local advisors by asking around for referrals. Start by talking to any friends or family members who have worked with an advisor in the past. A tax preparer can also offer recommendations.

How Financial Advisors Are Paid

With the immediate focus being debt management, a financial advisor's pay structure should usually be an hourly rate. In some cases they may propose a flat fee for creating a financial plan. Investopedia has found that hourly fees of more than $100 are relatively common, although some advisors charge considerably more. So it's always worth asking in advance.

There are also free (or low-cost) sources of credit counseling help if you are unable to pay for advice. Two reputable organizations that can refer you to a credit counselor are the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA).

The Bottom Line

Financial advisors can help you in many different ways, from developing a strategy to pare down debt or save for retirement. Financial advisors can help you prioritize your debts and get them under control to focus on other financial goals. Be sure to shop around for a credentialed advisor who fits your needs.