Who is your team of experts?

[Peaceful_Warrior]

Just curious -- which professionals do you have on your "team of experts" for purposes of life/financial planning?

Currently, I have my insurance agent and my real-estate agent (have yet to invest, but may do so near the end of this decline).

Right now I feel like my finances are simple enough I don't need a financial planner or CPA (I just use TaxAct Online for taxes). I also don't have a lawyer, though I do pay a nominal fee per paycheck through my company to have access to a lawyer for most family planning types of things. (Which reminds me, I still need to get my wills, living trusts, etc, done).

[HFWR]

E-R.org...

[brewer12345]

I have an estate lawyer, but other than the forum, that's about it. Having said that, the HS I went to sends roughly 50% of each class on to law school, so if I need any fathomable flavor of attorney, all I need to do is ask.

[Goonie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR E-R.org...

Ditto! The price is just right!!!

[My Dream]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR E-R.org...

Please explain, is that a US thang?

[samclem]

E-R.org = this discussion board. Nope, not a US thing, but some posters . . .never mind.

No experts for me except the folks here. I may be talking to a CLU concerning Long Term care insurance, though.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR E-R.org...

What he said. Heck, even my spouse, the font of all wisdom in our house, asks "Well, what do the ERs think?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by samclem I may be talking to a CLU concerning Long Term care insurance, though.

It'll be interesting to hear his take on the federal LTC program. A couple years ago my father compared his Hancock policy to the FLTC program and had a better deal with Hancock. So tell us how it goes!

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samclem No experts for me except the folks here. I may be talking to a CLU concerning Long Term care insurance, though.

Just make sure you have the gain on the BS detector turned way up.

[My Dream]

Thanks samclem, Nords.

[peggy]

We have an Enrolled Agent to do our taxes. Had our wills drawn up last year, but have no other reason to consult an attorney at this time (I'm a paralegal and have contacts with lawyers in several specializations; it won't be difficult to find one if we ever need one).

For general financial stuff, this board and my own outside reading.

[mickeyd]

1. Vanguard FP (annually, no charge)

2. Elder Law attorney (estate planning etc)

3. Public Library/Borders

4. TurboTax (no charge w. Vanguard voyger)

[unclemick]

This forum.

heh heh heh heh heh - Still have my taxes done - same place for twenty plus yrs out of habit.

[My Dream]

My neighbor, although I need to change that this year with the help of this forum and reading as much as possible.

[larry]

This board and a CPA. Best value comes from this board.

[SecondCor521]

This board and a local attorney to redraw my will and related stuff after my divorce. Sometimes www.fatwallet.com folks, but they're a less talented and less wise group that the folks here IMHO.

2Cor521

[Sarah in SC]

Lets see: a realtor I've known for years, even though we've not bought any investment property yet, a handy insurance broker whom I trust, a lawyer friend who I try not too bother too much (just wills and such), and the two CFPs who employ me in a wealth management practice and who support my investing and FIRE goals.

Studying for the CFP has been really enlightening, and I have learned the CFP board really endorses the team approach for most FP areas, especially taxation and (of course) estate planning. I have done our taxes for years, but mostly because we are simple folks, with just the standard deduction.

Sarah

[kaudrey]

I have a CFA, so I feel comfortable relying on myself to do research as needed on these boards and elsewhere. My dad pretty much knows everything about...well, everything, so I can go to him and get good advice.

One of my best friends is a CPA and does my taxes.

And I have a few friends who are lawyers - they looked over my will and health care directive.

Karen

[FinanceDude]

Am working on CFP, but I have two fee-based CFP's I work with, two estate planning attorneys, and a top agent at NML who is a CLU and Chfc, and MDRT life member..........

[MooreBonds]

Taxes - some poor guy I know, just trying to save a buck...yet who will wind up banging his head against a wall for 4 hours to try and solve it himself rather than go down to the local H&R Block office to pay some nitwit who knows less than him.

Investing - Primary advisor is a 30 year old up-and-coming investing guru. Has a lot in common with Peter Lynch (okay...so they share the first name. But it's a start. ). Sub-advisors include a finance guy working for a fund who likes to brew beer at home, a retired navy submariner who has superhuman surfing abilities gains from being stationed around nuclear stockpiles a little too long, and a host of dozens other unpaid professionals. Confidential source.

Legal - A guy who looks a lot like me, who copied his grandmothers Revocable Living Trust that she had worked up by someone - with a few additions here and there.

Purchasing - A young adult who loves maximizing his bang-for-his-buck, and is the consummate economist deep down inside.

If only I could find someone that has all of these qualities rolled up into one...

Just about the only thing I outsource is medical...although, on my recent trip to New Zealand, I self-diagnosed my sexless STD of crabs (apparently, the grungy, God-forsaken, refrigerators overflowing worn, tired hostel hadn't quite washed the sheets that well. Either that, or the guy that kept scratching himself nonstop left me a few hitchhikers on a chair that I unfortunately occupied soon after him) and even found a cure for it in the bargain bin of the local supermarket of all places.

[kumquat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooreBonds I self-diagnosed my sexless STD of crabs (apparently, the grungy, God-forsaken, refrigerators overflowing worn, tired hostel hadn't quite washed the sheets that well. Either that, or the guy that kept scratching himself nonstop left me a few hitchhikers on a chair that I unfortunately occupied soon after him) and even found a cure for it in the bargain bin of the local supermarket of all places.

RAID or Black Flag?