Rarely do they ask for help in solving a problem with cash flow or financing and the like. An advantage to hiring a consultant rather than using your lawyer or the accountant or some other traditional advisor is that a new intervenor can ask naive questions that other people do not think to ask, or because they've been over this ground before and it's a closed issue for them. Often, however, a consultant will present a proposal and fee based on your specific project. Some projects take 90 to 180 days to complete, depending upon the complexity of the issues being addressed. The consultant will submit a letter to the client which outlines their understanding of the issues, what they are able to do, what is going to be accomplished and what it will cost.
Some problems are broad and complex and require an ongoing process.
Conflicts of interest. Once you have the answers to these questions, you will know whether you have the best candidate based on the consultant's compatibility with your family and their knowledge of your industry. Only then can you feel confident that they will lead you to the Promised Land.