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#206: What do I do when a past client reaches out for "free" advice?

Season #1

In this episode, Josh and Amelie tackle the tricky situation of past clients reaching out for “quick” free advice and how financial coaches can respond professionally, ethically, and without resentment. The hosts explore liability concerns, time boundaries, client expectations, and the importance of avoiding assumptions about a client’s motivations. They also share practical scripts and strategies for setting clearer expectations in future engagements.

Top takeaways:

  • A client’s history matters: a positive past relationship may lower risk, while a contentious one increases liability concerns.
  • Not responding can create more liability than providing advice — or vice versa — depending on the situation.
  • Your time has value; if a question requires more than a quick response, you may choose to offer a paid one‑off session.
  • When you can’t responsibly answer, explain why (e.g., I don’t have updated information, I have questions for you) and offer factors and questions for them to consider.
  • Provide a path forward; some ideas include: a link to schedule a consultation or coaching session, a short‑term engagement proposal, or suggestion for an annual update.
  • Frequent “quick question” clients may need a gentle nudge toward an ongoing or annual service model.
  • Never assume a client’s motivation — many genuinely believe their question is simple and may be reaching out simply because they trust you.
  • Set expectations early: define what follow‑up support includes, what’s out of scope, and how additional questions are handled.
  • Avoid reinforcing the pattern by responding with “no problem, reach out anytime,” even when the question is simple.
  • Boundaries protect both sides: responsible advice requires current information, context, and a professional structure. 

 

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