Reply To: Why do so many people give the advise "ask your local orthodox rabbi"

Today, there are few places which truly have minhag hamakom. Most people follow their father’s minhag. The reasons to prefer a rav who is local have been mentioned – some shailos should be asked in person, and if the rav knows you, he can better gauge where you’re holding in terms of chumros and kulos and to apply sha’as had’chak. True, it is possible to have a rav who is not local, but the term and expression are sensible.