Planning for the future is important, but, for anyone who isn’t an absolute expert on finance and economics, it can also be quite daunting. When there are retirement accounts and college funds to juggle, to say nothing of the many other kinds of accounts, debts, and investments you might have, planning for a stable and prosperous future can actually be quite challenging. That’s why many people enlist the professional services of a financial planner—but how do you find a good financial planners, one you can trust to do justice to your financial resources?

There are various warning signs and indictors of a financial planner’s real worth, of course. When you call to ask to speak with a financial planner, be very aware of whether the planner invites you to an office somewhere, or offers to come to your home. You probably want to pick someone who invites you to an office; frankly, any financial planner who makes house calls likely has too much time on his or her hands!

Here’s another factor to consider: A good financial planner is someone who will take into account the overall, big-picture financial status of your household. What that means is that he or she ought to be very interested in talking not just with you, but with your spouse, as well. If your financial planner doesn’t request that your spouse be present at all meetings, you might be concerned.

Another point is simply this: A big part of financial planning is proper organization. The person who’s helping you with your finances is going to need to be able to keep track of a bunch of different numbers, different accounts, and different investments. He or she is, in short, going to need to be someone who can handle clutter and find meaning in it. A financial planner whose office is dirty and disorganized is likely not someone you want to do business with.

Of course, a really great financial planner can significantly improve your quality of life. A poor financial planner, meanwhile, can positively ruin your life. This is not a decision you want to make lightly. Do the necessary research, interview a few different candidates, and be on the lookout for some of these warning signs. Don’t settle for a financial planner until you’ve found one who you truly believe to be superior, and worthy of your business.