Assessing a clients real time frame is vital to determine for suitability. A time frame assessment is vital to guide a client for specific life events, such as paying for a child's education, purchasing a vacation home or retiring. By focusing on the time frame and the milestone goal is an ideal way to discuss investment suitability for investments under your management but also retain oversight of any investments held away. It is usually much simpler to have a discussion about time frame and what investments can provide the avenue to achieve the specific milestone, than focusing on potentially unsuitable investments, with unrealistic expectations for a specific time frame.