What is a financial advisor and do I need one?

A financial advisor helps you plan investments, taxes, insurance, and major financial decisions. Look for a fee-only fiduciary advisor — they charge flat fees or hourly rates (rather than commissions) and are legally required to act in your interest. For simple situations (index fund investing, basic budgeting), you may not need an advisor. As your situation grows more complex — business ownership, estate planning, tax optimization — a fiduciary advisor adds real value.