By Wall Street Journal Custom Content

As you work to create a long-term plan that’s customized to your needs, it’s essential to first gain a comprehensive understanding of your wealth—a full accounting of your complex, ever-shifting financial picture. Affluent investors benefit if they can access a team of financial experts to gain that bird’s-eye view and make smarter, more informed decisions.

“A client can do everything they need to do—and then their life changes,” says Contey Smith, an independent advisor at Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group in Atlanta, Georgia. “By working with an advisor, they can be sure to get a holistic view and regular check-ins on key action items so their financial plan stays up to date.”

Wealth represents more than a number in your brokerage account. Your financial plan should be fully aligned with the things you want to achieve in life. A trusted ally can make you feel more secure by looking out for your financial interests and taking the time to understand your personal ambitions.

“By developing deep relationships, we come to think of our clients as partners,” says Joseph Zappia, managing partner and co-chief investment officer at LVW Advisors in Pittsford, New York. “We encourage them to make us their first phone call, whether they’re contemplating leasing a car, purchasing another home or making plans for their children. By doing that, we’re in a position where we can continually add value beyond just managing investments.”

Bottom line: A good way to make sure you are financially ready is to work with an independent financial advisor who puts your interests first. The quarterback leading your financial team, they’re your first call when the markets or your life circumstances take an unexpected turn.

An independent advisor can help you develop a customized wealth management plan that’s aligned with your life goals and values—and that gives you a holistic view of your assets. They can help you see around the next corner and provide a steady hand on the wheel during turbulent times.

Ready to learn more? Explore FindYourIndependentAdvisor.com to discover the benefits of customized wealth management with an independent financial advisor.

We offer our gratitude to the independent advisors who contributed their time and valuable insights: Tony Farina of Capital Advisors Wealth Management in Yakima, Washington; Contey Smith of Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group in Atlanta, Georgia; and Joseph Zappia of LVW Advisors in Pittsford, New York.

The named advisory firms (“Advisors”) custody some or all of their assets with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). The Advisors are independent and not affiliated with Schwab, and their personnel are not employees or agents of Schwab. This is not a referral to, endorsement or recommendation of, or testimonial for the Advisors with respect to their investment advisory or other services. Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ©2021 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC. (1021-1RC4)

Wall Street Journal Custom Content is a unit of The Wall Street Journal advertising department. The Wall Street Journal news organization was not involved in the creation of this content.