(MarketWatch) - You might be unsure if you actually need guidance from a financial professional. More than 40% of U.S. adults say they’re likely to turn to financial advisers or planners when seeking money advice, according to a 2025 Gallup poll.
“If you’re not sure, err on the side of at least having a conversation,” says financial therapist Michele Paiva at The Finance Therapist. “But also be aware that you should not make a decision impulsively. Interview more than one adviser and more than one company.” (You can use this free tool to get matched with advisers, from our ad partner SmartAsset, as well as sites like CFP Board and NAPFA.)
When searching for the right adviser, you want to find someone who has your best interest in mind at all times. “A financial adviser adds structure and discipline, helping clients avoid costly mistakes, especially during volatile markets,” says certified financial planner Ryan Haiss at Flynn Zito Capital Management.
We asked eight financial experts who might need an adviser, and who does not.
Who might need a financial adviser?
Busy professionals
Financial advisers can be beneficial for those who lack the time to manage their own finances. “There are those whose best and highest use of time is spent doing what they are expert at,” says Gloria Garcia Cisneros, certified financial planner at LourdMurray.
Specifically, Brad Lineberger, certified financial planner at Seaside Wealth Management, says people in their mid-career years who need to ensure they’re saving enough for retirement and maximizing their employer’s benefits package should seek out help. “[An adviser can help you] maximize your 401(k), work on a backdoor Roth strategy for high income earners and help with saving to an after-tax brokerage account,” says Lineberger.
People who want accountability
Dr. Emily Koochel, manager of financial wellness at eMoney Advisor, says accountability is a major contributor to goal achievement. “Advisers help reinforce accountability by offering regular meetings to review goals, tracking progress within the financial plan, pushing out gentle nudges when tasks fall behind and of course celebrating milestones along the way,” says Koochel.
What’s more, a lot of results with money are driven by habits and behavior. “We also don’t have objectivity when we look at our own money, so that’s invaluable,” says Cisneros. Advisers can provide accountability, clarity and structure for those with financial decision fatigue, says financial therapist Rahkim Sabree at R&A Consulting.
High-net-worth individuals
Many high earners want additional investment options. “My clients who already maxed their 401(k) or IRA but still have money leftover each month are usually ready to talk about more advanced financial practices. Financial advisers can go over things like taxable brokerage accounts, real estate and other financial strategies that are often more complex but highly valuable when properly managed,” says financial coach Chris Fohlin at Fohlin Financial Coaching.
“High earners with decision fatigue can benefit from working with a pro as the mistakes that can come from managing one’s own finances at this level can become expensive,” says financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin at Mind Money Balance. “More assets mean more complexity [when it comes to] portfolio construction, tax planning, concentrated stock positions and coordination with attorneys and CPAs,” says Haiss.
Furthermore, Sabree says, “high-income earners who grew up low income may need help navigating boundaries, guilt and sudden wealth shifts.”
Anyone with complex or changing finances
If you have complicated tax or estate planning issues or life events that have triggered financial changes, having an expert in your corner can offer peace of mind, says Cisneros. For example, widows and newly single individuals can have more complex finances. “There are a lot of financial planning considerations to think about with death or divorce like Social Security decisions, keeping tax bills low and having a partner to make important decisions with,” says Lineberger.
People who inherit money also have important decisions to make and advisers can clearly lay out a path forward. “[They can offer input on] what you should do with the money, how to keep the tax bill lower, how to invest successfully and how to help others with your newfound wealth,” says Lineberger.
Furthermore, “an adviser can help decrease the number of choices you have to make. They can come to their client and say, ‘I’ve run this scenario many ways and based on your lifestyle and goals, here are two choices I recommend,’” says Bryan-Podvin. Whether it’s marriage, divorce, empty-nesting or moving aging parents into a family home, significant life shifts can benefit from having an updated financial plan from an expert, she says.
Couples with different money stories
“Depending on the year, the two top causes of divorce are infidelity and disagreements about money. A third-party adviser can serve as a neutral guide, helping both people in a relationship find common ground and support in financial decision-making,” says Bryan-Podvin.
When you have people relying on you, there’s more on the line as far as finances are concerned. “It becomes more important to consider things like estate planning and disaster-proofing. An adviser can map out how long your current money would last if something happened to you, suggest appropriate life insurance coverage amounts and map out things like college savings needs. Couples often feel better knowing their partner has someone to help navigate finances if something were to happen to you,” says Fohlin.
Who doesn’t need a financial adviser?
Those just starting out without major assets
If you’re just starting to build wealth, you might begin your personal finance journey with books and financial coaching. “Build foundational knowledge and habits like creating a budget, building an emergency fund and paying off credit cards,” says Cisneros.
For his part, Haiss says without substantial assets, finances can be simpler and not require help from an adviser. “Early savers without major assets or tax issues can often stick with automated strategies,” says Haiss.
People just starting out who don’t have emergency savings should also hold off on engaging with an adviser. “To be successful with investing you generally need to keep your money invested over a long period of time. If an emergency comes up and you don’t have cash saved up to take care of it, you’ll end up needing to pull from the investment accounts early which can squash the growth potential or trigger fees that can essentially leave you starting over,” says Fohlin.
Someone with trust issues
Being able to trust the individual managing your portfolio and having a transparent relationship with them is a hallmark of the advisory engagement. “You might want to wait until you feel more comfortable trusting others. You have to be able to trust your adviser and there might be times when your account is handed to a different adviser in the company, so [trusting the process] is a necessity,” says Paiva.
If you’re unlikely to follow recommendations or update your plan, Haiss says, “an adviser won’t add much value.”
Someone working with other professionals
“If you or your family already has a team or representative within or outside of the family who acts on behalf of your finances, you probably don’t need a financial adviser. Some families have boards made up of family members, a legal team, etc. where a financial adviser is moot,” says Paiva.
Investors who enjoy handling their investments
If you already have a strong financial literacy foundation, Paiva says that’s a good indication you might be able to DIY your finances. If you have the time, energy, interest and temperament required to manage your own finances, paying someone to oversee your accounts might feel like an unnecessary expenditure.
Those who have straightforward finances
Bryan-Podvin says people with streamlined and straightforward finances likely don’t need an adviser. “If you have one salaried job with benefits and automatic savings and investments set up, you might not need more than an annual check-in with a fee-only planner. Many jobs offer complimentary access to an adviser, so check your benefits,” says Bryan-Podvin.
Additionally, if you’re in a rebuilding phase and you’re focused on financial building blocks like paying off debt, Bryan-Podvin says you likely need financial education and a support team that doesn’t charge you 1% AUM.
What to look for in a financial adviser
When looking into hiring a financial adviser, consider asking these important questions to get a better sense of the type of help, relationship and guidance they offer. “What everyone should be cautious of are salespeople who market themselves as advisers despite being commissioned product-pushers who are not held to a fiduciary standard,” says Sabree.
By Alisa Wolfson
January 2, 2026
