You've been contributing to your 401k but have no idea if you're on track. Or you inherited money and don't know what to do with it. Or you're five years from retirement and suddenly very aware that you haven't figured this out. These are the moments when a financial advisor is worth talking to.
The most important question: is your advisor a fiduciary? That means they're legally required to act in your best interest, not just recommend products that pay them a commission. Fee-only advisors (who charge you directly and don't earn commissions) tend to give cleaner advice. Ask explicitly before you discuss anything else.
Initial consultations are usually free. Ongoing advisory fees run 0.5-1.5% of assets under management per year, or hourly rates of $200-$400. If someone is pushing whole life insurance as an "investment," that's a red flag. Ask how they're compensated before the conversation gets any further.