Supporting Client Couples With Misaligned Engagement Levels, With Sydney Squires

What happens when one partner takes the lead on finances and the relationship with their financial advisor while the other stays quiet, disengaged, or simply operates on a different wavelength? In this episode, we welcome Sydney Squires, a Senior Financial Planning Nerd here at Kitces.com, to explore the challenge of working with "misengaged couples"—client couples who have different levels of involvement, communication styles, or priorities when it comes to financial planning. 

Listen in to learn how advisors can identify different types of misengagement using an assertiveness and cooperativeness framework, understand the risks of only engaging with the more active partner, and apply practical strategies to ensure both clients feel heard. Sydney also shares actionable approaches for improving client meetings, setting expectations early, and helping couples build a stronger relationship with their financial goals.