Working with a financial advisor is supposed to give you peace of mind – not leave you second-guessing your decisions or wondering what you’re paying for. A good advisor should help you make smarter choices, grow your wealth, and align your money with your life goals. But if you’re feeling confused, ignored, or even pressured, it may be a sign that the relationship isn’t working.
It’s easy to overlook red flags when you’re not sure what “normal” should look like. But if your gut is telling you something’s off, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Here are six clear signs that it might be time to move on and find a financial advisor who actually acts in your best interest.
1. You’re the One Always Reaching Out
A strong advisor relationship is proactive, not reactive. If you’re always the one initiating check-ins or asking for updates, that’s a problem. Your advisor should be reaching out to schedule regular reviews, let you know about changes that affect your plan, or alert you to opportunities or risks.
If you feel like they forget about you unless you chase them down, it’s a sign your financial wellbeing might not be their priority. You deserve someone who treats your plan like it matters, even when you’re not watching.
2. You Don’t Understand What You’re Being Told
You shouldn’t need a finance degree to follow what your advisor is saying. Complex ideas are part of investing, but it’s your advisor’s job to explain those ideas in plain, relatable terms. If your meetings leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed, or talked down to, that’s a red flag.
Some advisors hide behind jargon to cover up weak strategies or to make you feel dependent on their guidance. But real expertise shows up in how clearly they can communicate – not how complicated they sound. You should leave every meeting feeling empowered, not lost.
3. You’re Not Sure How They’re Getting Paid
If your advisor hasn’t been crystal clear about their fee structure, stop and take a hard look.
- Are they charging a percentage of assets?
- A flat fee?
- Are they earning commissions from products they recommend?
- Do those commissions affect the advice you’re getting?
When compensation is murky, so is objectivity. You don’t want someone steering you into products because they earn more from them – you want advice that’s in your best interest.
You should know exactly what you’re paying, how often, and what you’re getting in return. If they can’t explain it transparently and confidently, that’s your cue to start shopping around.
4. The Advice Feels Cookie-Cutter
If your plan looks like it was copy-pasted from a template, you’re not getting real planning. Your life, goals, family situation, and tax picture are unique. Your financial strategy should reflect that.
One-size-fits-all portfolios or generic retirement plans may be easier for your advisor to manage, but they won’t get you where you want to go.
That’s why more people are turning to firms like LH Financial, where investment planning is combined with proactive tax strategy. Advisors who take a holistic approach can help you accumulate wealth more tax-efficiently. (That means you keep more of what you earn, especially in retirement. Cookie-cutter advisors miss this entirely.)
5. You’re Getting Pushed Toward Products You Don’t Need
If you feel like your advisor is more of a salesperson than a strategic partner, it’s time to pump the brakes.
Some advisors work under commission-based models that reward them for selling certain insurance products, annuities, or mutual funds. That doesn’t always mean bad advice, but it can lead to conflicts of interest, especially when the products don’t clearly benefit you.
You should never feel pressured to “act fast,” sign paperwork on the spot, or invest in something that doesn’t make sense. Trust your instincts. If something feels off – or overly salesy – it probably is.
A fiduciary advisor, by contrast, is legally obligated to act in your best interest. That’s the kind of partner you want in your corner.
6. Your Strategy Feels Stuck in the Past
Financial planning isn’t static. Tax laws change and the economy evolves. Your own life shifts in big and small ways, and your advisor should be adapting your strategy along with all of that.
If your plan hasn’t been meaningfully updated in years, or your advisor hasn’t talked to you about new opportunities – like Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, or strategic gifting – it might be time to move on.
When It’s Time to Make a Move
Switching advisors might feel awkward, but it’s not personal. Keep it professional and you have nothing to stress over. Your future is too important to hand over to someone who isn’t earning your trust, clarity, and results. Make sure you find someone who has your best interests in mind at all times.
