Should a financial planning practice state a minimum?

Publishing a minimum is one of the more useful clarity decisions available, and it is less off-putting than most advisors expect.

What it does:

• Prevents conversations that cannot proceed. Both parties discover the mismatch on the website rather than after a meeting.
• Signals a defined practice. A stated minimum reads as a practice with a shape, not as exclusion.
• Reduces inquiry volume while improving fit, which is the correct trade for a practice limited by advisor capacity rather than by demand.
• Respects the reader's time, which prospective clients notice.

Some practices state a minimum for ongoing asset management while offering standalone planning at a fee for people below it. That serves a wider market without diluting the core service, and it can be a useful bridge for younger clients who will later qualify.

If a firm minimum applies rather than a personal one, say so plainly rather than implying discretion you do not have.

As with anything describing the service relationship, have the wording reviewed. How a minimum is characterized can carry implications about the nature of the engagement.

This is general marketing information, not compliance guidance. Requirements differ by registration type, firm and jurisdiction, and change over time. Confirm anything in this area with your compliance function before acting on it.