What you need to know
Legal and Financial Consultants
essential tips
Selecting a legal or financial advisor is a crucial decision that will mostly determine the future outcome in achieving your goals.
Our essential tips and FAQ will help you take the right approach to selecting and managing your consultants.
Legal and financial consultants essential tips
01.
You need to know what you are getting into, don't invest blindly
You need to feel comfortable as financial and legal decisions are complex and stressful. Only if you know what you are doing, you will be sure it is the right choice for you. Even if you are assisted by the best consultant, you need to know the basics yourself. A good advisor is required to provide advice, but also to properly inform, coach and educate you.
02.
The consultant should (also) match your personality
You need to feel comfortable speaking to your consultant: it's important to choose someone who is competent, trustworthy, and compatible with your goals and values.
03.
Compare consultants and ask for more
Never take for granted what you are told: it is your responsibility to challenge your consultant. If it is not 100% clear, ask for more information. If it looks already an excellent proposal, ask if there is a way to make it even better. And always consider having more than one advisor, so you can have multiple opinions, compare, and select the proposal which best fits your goals.
04.
Don’t be afraid, ask for help !
What do true leaders do? They always ask for the best support and help they can have. If you are looking for a consultant, it means you are serious about your legal and investment choices, and you are already halfway toward success because soon somebody with experience will assist you in accomplishing your goals.
05.
Schedule an initial consultation which is free of charge on Savimap
Very important. Schedule an initial consultation that is free of charge on Savimap: discuss your goals, the consultant's qualification, and the strategy for solving your issue or helping you to satisfy your request. Use this meeting to also evaluate their communication skills, listening abilities, and overall compatibility with your needs and personality.
Savimap Excellence Score 
Not only do we select and compare legal and financial advisors for you. We also deeply and carefully review them.
Our editors and mystery customers periodically assess the professionals you can find on Savimap. If and only they are excellent, they are given a Savimap Excellence Score which ranges from 1 to 3 green dots. Our evaluations are based on 6 criteria: quality of technical advice, clearness, range of expertise, availability, human touch, and fees.
Can advisors with no green dots still be good? Yes, maybe they are new and we haven’t reviewed them yet, or perhaps they are just OK.
Are advisors with 3 green dots too expensive? No, the opposite is usually true! It is a quality evaluation for which low fees are considered a positive factor, so most 3 green dots are not only great in providing advice, but they also have attractive fees.
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Excellent
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Very Good
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Good
How does Savimap work?
Search and compare
Profit from Savimap's extensive database of consultants to find the ones who better fit your needs. We generally suggest discussing with 3 to 5 in order to have different views and proposals.
Please note that on Savimap you can contact a maximum of 5 consultants per month.
Get in touch
Once you have identified your preferred consultant, click on "get in touch": your contact information will be sent to the consultant who will quickly get back to you. Some consultants also offer you the possibility to directly book a Video call or to phone them directly.
Laura TANY
Advisor
Collaborate
Consultants are independent of Savimap. You can freely discuss and agree on the fees applied, and how and how often to discuss. Some customers just need one call or one specific piece of advice, while many ask for a medium to long-term collaboration.
Leave a review!
Thanks to Savimap, you have found the best consultants to help you reach your goals. Great !
Don't hesitate to get back on our website if you need other advisors. And please help us with a review of our site. You can also review each advisor by going to his personal page.
We’re here to all your questions
For more frequently asked questions and general information visit our FAQ section.
How much does a consultant cost?
It very much depends on each consultant, the kind of advice you’re looking for, and the country you live in. As a very generic idea, based on a survey we recently conducted, on average advisors charge 120$ (or the equivalent in other currencies) per hour, and the range is very wide: from as little as 20$ to more than 500$.
Which category of lawyer should I contact?
Lawyers can be categorized in different ways depending on the legal system, area of practice, and other factors. On Savimap the main categories are:
- Corporate lawyers: They work with businesses and corporations, providing legal advice on issues such as company creation, business contracts, intellectual property, etc.
- Criminal lawyers: These lawyers specialize in defending people who are accused of committing crimes, such as murder, robbery, fraud, and drug offenses.
- Family lawyers: They can assist clients with a wide range of issues, such as divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, domestic violence, and property division. They may also provide legal advice and representation in matters related to prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity disputes, and legal name changes.
- Employment lawyers: legal professionals who specialize in the area of employment law, which involves the legal relationship between employers and employees. Employment lawyers can provide legal advice and representation to both employees and employers on a wide range of issues, such as workplace discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, and employment contracts.
- Immigration lawyers: These lawyers specialize in helping clients with issues related to immigration and citizenship, such as visa applications, deportation, and asylum.
- Tax lawyers: These lawyers specialize in tax law and provide advice to individuals and businesses on tax planning, compliance, and disputes with tax authorities.
- Personal injury lawyers: They specialize in representing clients who have suffered physical or psychological injuries as a result of the negligence or intentional actions of another party. Personal injury lawyers can assist clients with a wide range of cases, such as car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, product liability, and workplace injuries. Their goal is to help their clients receive compensation for their injuries, which may include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Estate lawyers who specialize in advising and representing clients on matters related to estate planning, administration, and litigation. Estate lawyers can assist clients in drafting and reviewing legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as handling probate and estate administration after the death of a loved one. They may also represent clients in disputes related to the distribution of assets or the validity of a will.
These are just a few examples of the main categories for lawyers. There are many other specializations within the legal profession, and lawyers may practice in more than one area of law.
Are lawyers and attorneys the same thing?
In general, the terms “lawyer” and “attorney” are used interchangeably to refer to a legal professional who is licensed to practice law and provide legal advice and representation to clients. However, there are some subtle differences in how the terms are used in certain contexts.
In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, the term “attorney” is often used specifically to refer to a lawyer who is authorized to represent clients in court. In this sense, an attorney is a subset of the larger category of lawyers.
In other jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, the term “lawyer” is more commonly used, and the term “attorney” may refer to a specific type of lawyer who is authorized to act on behalf of another person in legal matters.
Overall, the terms “lawyer” and “attorney” are largely interchangeable and can be used to refer to any legal professional who is authorized to practice law in their jurisdiction.
Which category of accountants should I contact?
Financial accounting is a broad field that encompasses several different categories of accounting professionals. On Savimap the main categories are:
- Bookkeeping accountants: They are responsible for maintaining accurate financial records for a company or organization. Bookkeeping accountants are typically responsible for recording financial transactions such as purchases, sales, receipts, and payments, and maintaining detailed records of accounts payable and accounts receivable. They also reconcile bank statements, prepare financial reports, and ensure that all financial records comply with accounting standards and regulations.
- Tax accountants: They specialize in tax planning, preparation, and compliance. Tax accountants work with individuals, businesses, and organizations to ensure that they comply with tax laws and regulations, and to minimize their tax liability by identifying deductions, credits, and other tax-saving strategies. They prepare tax returns, advise clients on tax issues, and help clients understand and comply with tax laws and regulations.
- Audit accountants: They specialize in performing audits of financial statements to ensure that they accurately reflect a company’s financial position. Audit accountants work for public accounting firms and are responsible for conducting independent and objective evaluations of financial records and internal controls to identify any discrepancies, errors, or fraudulent activities. They also provide recommendations for improvements in accounting practices and internal controls to help companies maintain compliance with regulations and prevent financial irregularities.
- Payroll accountants: They are responsible for managing a company’s payroll system. Payroll accountants ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time, and that all payroll-related taxes and deductions are properly calculated and withheld. They also maintain accurate records of employee earnings and deductions, prepare payroll reports, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations.
Should I always consult independent financial advisors for investing?
It is indeed suggested to be advised by an independent investment advisor. The fee you pay will be more transparent, and they will be much more inclined to suggest to you the best products, and not the products they make them gain more commissions. However, financial advisors linked to specific financial institutions may be a good choice if you want or need to access a specific product or investment solution.
What is a financial planner?
A financial planner is a certified professional who helps individuals and organizations with their financial goals. They provide advice on a variety of topics, including investments, retirement, tax, and real estate. Financial advisors may specialize in specific areas, or they may provide comprehensive financial planning services.
Will advisors access my capital?
No, it is up to you to decide, you can delegate financial advisors to directly manage your capital, but it is generally advised not to do so. Most of the time, the best idea is to have your financial advisors give you only guidance. Then you are in charge of actually investing your money. This way, the financial advisor will suggest to you the best actions, but you will keep control of the final decisions, and you prevent most fraud risks.
