While you can find information about how to do end of life planning from many sources and download most of the relevant documents, your situation may be too complex to go it alone.

• Do It Yourself documents may only be appropriate for simple estates and are sometimes not up to date. The same is true of many sources.

• Help from professionals can help manage finances, find additional ways to reduce income and estate taxes, and make sure all the paperwork is in order.

Research and create a list of financial and legal professionals you might want to consult. If necessary, make sure the advisors are aware of the state of your illness and mental capacity.

Seeking an Attorney

The most important consideration of your choice of an attorney is expertise in estate planning.

While most people rely on word of mouth from family or friends, there are other ways to seek a reputable lawyer.

• The American Bar Association website has ways to search your area for the type of attorney you need.

• Legal aid sites like LawHelp.org, ProBono.net, and Nolo can also help you search.

Seeking a Financial Planner

When seeking a financial planner, the most important consideration is expertise in the areas you need, such as end-of-life finances, estate planning, experience with large estates or business, retirement planning, or analyzing your current situation to prepare financial reports and/or, assessing investments.

Here are some other recommendations when picking a financial planner.

• Choose an advisor who is a Fiduciary.
  • A Fiduciary is a professional who is ethically bound to act in your best interest.
  • This will reduce concerns about conflict of interest and make their advice more trustworthy. 
• Research and interview different advisors and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• Ask about their licenses, tests, and credentials.
  • Financial Advisors tests include: 
    • Series 7 – qualification to work as a General Securities Representative
    • Series 65 – qualification to work as an Investment Advisor/Investment Advisor Representative
    • Series 66 – qualification to work as an Investment Advisor Representative and as a Securities Agent
  • A boarded Certified Financial Planner is recognized as an expert in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement.
• Choose an advisor with an investment strategy you are comfortable with.
  • Do you want your advisor to be aggressive, conservative, or somewhere in between?
  • Do you prefer to go mostly with stocks, do you prefer bonds and index funds, or would you prefer a considered blend of many investment types?
• Choosing an advisor from a reputable firm increases the chance of a stable relationship and access to better tools and information. However:
  • association with a major firm like J.P. Morgan or Morgan Stanley does not assure that your advisor is qualified and appropriate for you
  • you must still choose your advisor because they will work well with you, not because of where they work
• Make sure you understand how your advisor is paid and if it conflicts with your interests.
  • Advisors may be “fee only” and charge you a flat rate, so you know exactly what you are paying.
  • Others may charge a percentage of your assets they are managing. This may be a motivating factor to increase the value of your estate. 
  • Conflicts may occur with advisors who are paid commissions by mutual funds or other specific investments. You may be recommended to choose these investments, even if they are not the best ones for you.
• Be wary of any advisor who “guarantees” specific returns on your investment
  • Investing is always a gamble.
  • Unrealistic promises are just that – unrealistic. 
  • If you feel pressured to make decisions more quickly than you feel comfortable with it’s a signal to take a break or end the session

The Financial Planning Association website has ways to search your area for the type of financial planner you need.

• Other websites include Boomerater, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the Garrett Planning Network, and the Paladin Registry.
• Many senior centers have volunteers that will help with financial advice and with money management.

After you decide, schedule a meeting with the advisors to discuss any areas related to their specialty.