There are many times in your life that a decision you make will have lasting and long term consequences on the rest of your life.  Choosing a financial advisor can be one of those decisions that profoundly impacts on the rest of the future, either positively or negatively.  Before choosing a financial advisor, here are a few quick thoughts or questions to consider. 

Find out about their experience.  How long have they been helping clients achieve their goals? 

Determine if the advisor has a professional designation that has standards of performance and code of ethics they must follow to have the designation.  Certified Financial Planners, CFP is one such designation. 

Have them clearly layout how they will be paid for their services including an estimate of your cost for their services. 

Do they have good recommendations from current clients in regards to their abilities? 

These four questions are by no means the complete list of items you should address in determining the right financial advisor for you but these four are critical questions that you should ask any potential advisor.  The choice of an advisor, regardless of your age, does have a lasting impact on your future financial life.