AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, WE ALL face major turning points in our lives — marriage, parenthood, a life-changing promotion, an upcoming retirement. At these times, many people wonder whether they know enough about the complex financial decisions they’ll have to make — and whether working with a financial advisor might make sense.

The challenge is finding someone you’ll feel comfortable talking to about the most personal things — your family, your money, your hopes for your future. Someone who does more than just provide stock recommendations. Someone who will be there for you for years to come, focused on your goals and having access to the resources you need.

As you interview advisors looking for the right relationship, don’t be afraid to ask direct questions. They’ll help you get a clear idea of whether the person would be a good fit for you and your family — and what you might expect if you work with them. You can start with these seven questions.

1. Do you have a special area of expertise?

Some advisors work primarily with a certain clientele: business owners, maybe, or people in a specific profession. Others could have specialized knowledge in a particular area such as sustainable investing, retirement or estate planning, or financial strategies around divorce. Ask whether the advisor has experience in the areas you’re looking for or else has access to team members or resources that could help with your specific needs.

2. What is your track record?

No advisor can or should promise financial results. And beware of those who do. But an advisor with a record of long relationships may be more likely to provide the kind of service that earns client loyalty.

3. How — and how often — will we communicate?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every client has different needs and expectations. Don’t be shy. Be upfront about how frequently you want to connect and whether you prefer doing it in person, by phone, online or some combination of the three. Some people prefer a more formal relationship, with regularly scheduled meetings.

Others might be more comfortable with a less structured, more relaxed approach. By making your personal preferences known from the outset, you can get a sense of how interested the advisor is in understanding your goals and priorities — and what keeps you up at night.

4. How can you help me stay on track as I work toward my goals?

Even if you have a pretty clear idea of what you want to accomplish with your money, the right advisor can help you better understand and prioritize how you might get there. This includes helping you recognize any trade-offs you may need to make based on your finances, time horizon, risk tolerance, cash flow needs and the way you want to invest.

Ask the advisor if they can help you create a financial road map or plan for pursuing your goals — one that you can review together at least once a year. Life has a way of changing, too — sometimes without notice — so the advisor you select should encourage you to reach out whenever your situation changes, so that the two of you can discuss any course adjustments worth considering to help you stay on the right track.

5. Can you help me invest in a way that reflects my values?

The choices you make every day, from where you choose to eat to the companies you choose to invest in, are often a reflection of your beliefs — some of them deeply held. If you express an interest in aligning your investments with your values, your advisor should be able to suggest companies and market sectors that do so, whether your concerns are about the environment, social responsibility or corporate governance. They should also be able to offer insights and research around the historical performance of these investments, which should be vetted with the same rigor as other, more traditional choices, to help ensure they’re aligned with your goals.

6. Will you call me if the markets get scary?

When markets are volatile, there’s nothing worse than feeling isolated and alone. One of an advisor’s most vital functions at such times is to reach out to you and hear your concerns. They should be able to offer useful perspective on steps you might take to help minimize the effects of volatility, remind you of reasons for remaining invested, discuss potential opportunities this volatility could create, and talk about whether you should consider any adjustments to your financial strategy.

7. How do I pay you for your work — and how much will it cost?

This is never an easy question to ask, but advisors should always offer the information. Clarity about fees is vital to a client’s investment decisions and to a successful relationship. Fees and expenses — whether they’re a percentage of assets, a flat fee or a per-transaction charge — should be considered as a final important step in selecting an advisor whom you feel confident you can trust to help you pursue all of your most important goals, now and in the future.