Save Time: Efficient Financial Planning for Attorneys

For attorneys, especially law firm partners, time is money! It is difficult to expertly handle projects and cases while building and managing a successful practice. Likewise, it can be near impossible for you to juggle tasks in the office, and address all that is needed outside of the office, as well. You constantly grapple with the question, what is most important right now?  How can I find the time to address my top priorities?

Being able to delegate personal wealth management/financial planning can not only save you time, but also money (due to smart tax strategies and investments). When considering working with a financial planner, you should look for:

• Expertise and a deep team in the areas of financial planning, investments and tax. Do team members have industry-recognized and relevant professional designations? You are an expert for your clients and need a financial planner, look for someone who can be that same expert for you.
• Experience with law firm attorneys. Lumpy cash flows, tax issues and complex retirement plans make your financial planning complicated and unique. Make sure you hire an advisor who has experience working with someone like you.
• Help to remain disciplined about financial strategies. Time pressures often result in procrastination with financial and investment decisions. This can create added problems and stress. Just like what your clients are looking for when they turn to you, you want an advisor who can efficiently present options, narrow those options to expert recommendations, and provide follow-up (and just enough nudging, as necessary) to keep it all moving.
• Willingness to tackle details and complexity. We understand that much of your focus is on your practice and that your finances may be incomplete or disorganized. You want an advisor to improve, streamline and simplify your financial life.
• Collaboration with your other outside professionals like tax accountants, estate planning attorneys and insurance agents to get the best advice and decisions possible.
• Efficient meetings. Ask about communications and to see a sample of a typical financial planning and review meeting. A good planner should ask for the right information in advance, arrive prepared with an efficient agenda, and leave with a clear action plan that helps you make progress towards your financial goals.
• Quick and thoughtful responses to your questions. (This is where a deep bench and a team-based approach is a significant advantage for you.)
• Real-time financial reports so you can easily see the status of your financial situation when it’s convenient for you.

For additional tips on finding a financial planner, please see this WSJ article http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/managing-your-money/how-to-choose-a-financial-planner/ .