Do I need financial advice?

If you’re looking to invest, purchase a financial product, or simply manage your money more effectively for the future, then financial advice can be really helpful. If you are having troubles in relation to financial decisions that are beyond your level of expertise and experience it can be helpful to discuss this with a financial adviser to gain some clarity on the situation and assess your options. See below some things a financial adviser can do: Meet with you to assess your current financial situation and goals Develop a comprehensive plan that would address any major areas of financial concern i.e. retirement, insurance, Trust funds, avoiding estate tax, etc. Provide advice as unexpected financial issues arise in your life Help set up investment funds and accounts for you Locate appropriate financial vehicles for you i.e. insurance policies

What types of financial advisers are there?

Financial advisers look at your current personal circumstances and your financial plans and then recommend products to help meet your needs. However, the type of financial adviser you approach for advice may limit the range of products you are recommended. There are two types of financial advisers: Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) give unbiased advice about the whole range of financial products from all different companies available. Restricted Advisers give advice on a limited range of products. Usually specialising in one particular area, i.e. pensions, or they may only offer advice on products offered by a limited number of companies. It is advisable to get independent financial advice so that you can look at the widest range of advice and products available.

Can a financial adviser assist with pension and retirement planning?

Yes, some financial advisers, including members of our team, can provide specialist advice in respect of pensions and retirement planning. A financial adviser can help you provide a secure future through careful retirement planning by reviewing the pension provision you have made so far and telling you how much you can expect when you retire.

Is there a charge for a first appointment with a financial adviser?

The majority of financial advisers will offer a free, no-obligation first meeting, during which they can tell you more about what they do and also allow them to listen and understand your personal circumstances and exactly what you are looking for. As part of this discussion, it is useful to take with you a list of your current income and assets (e.g. cash, investments, pensions). The adviser will then be able to look at your financial situation and explain how they can help you if you appoint them.

How do I check an adviser?

If you’ve chosen your adviser it’s worth checking with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to see whether they’re regulated and approved. The Financial Services Register shows details of the firms, individuals, and bodies that are currently or have previously been regulated by the FCA or The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) If you use an adviser that is not approved by the FCA, you will not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Both schemes allow you to seek compensation if things go wrong.

Independent Financial Advisers | Nelsons Solicitors

Independent financial advice that puts you first

At Nelsons, we believe financial advice should be clear, personal, and built around your life — not just your money. We provide expert financial advice tailored to your unique goals. Our independent status means we work solely for you — not for banks or product providers.

Related services

Watch our video, presented by John Stanley, Partner and Independent Financial Adviser, on the financial advice we can provide…

Wealth and investment management

We help individuals and families manage their wealth with confidence. Whether you’re planning for retirement, building a legacy, or simply seeking peace of mind, our advice is designed around your life.

We’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading law firm-based financial advice teams, with over £300 million under management and decades of experience.

How we help

We start by listening — really listening — to what matters most to you.

Our services include:

Retirement and later-life planning
Inheritance tax and estate planning
Cashflow modelling to help you plan ahead
Intergenerational wealth strategies
Financial advice for business owners and charities
Personal injury trust investment advice
Investment management tailored to your needs

We’re based in Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham, and we work with clients across the UK. Our advice is independent, our fees are transparent, and our service is always personal.

Our advice process

We make financial planning feel less like a transaction and more like a partnership. Here’s how we work:

1. Understand your goals
2. Create your plan
3. Implement your strategy
4. Review and adapt

You can contact us anytime on 0800 024 1976, and you can also view your investments through our dedicated Investment Management portal.

Our fees

Our fees are clear and transparent. They reflect the complexity and value of the advice we provide, ensuring you receive high-quality guidance tailored to your financial situation.

Important regulatory information

Please note: The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate advice on tax, trusts, estate planning, cashflow modelling, or will-writing. The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested.

Get in touch

Ready to take the next step? Speak to an adviser today — call 0800 024 1976, or fill out our online enquiry form.

Meet the team

Zoe Till
Partner & Chartered Financial Planner
John Stanley
Partner & Independent Financial Adviser
Beryl Morgan
Consultant & Independent Financial Adviser
Phil Terry
Partner & Independent Financial Adviser
Sam Cawley
Partner & Chartered Financial Planner
Nathan Richardson
Investment Director & Chartered Financial Planner
Suzanne Castledine-Casey
Senior Associate & Independent Financial Adviser
Jack Green
Associate & Independent Financial Adviser
Dan Freestone
Associate & Independent Financial Adviser

View Full Team

Testimonials...

"Nelsons...has an extensive offering, with practitioners having experience of trust administration, Court of Protection work, investment management, wills and probate..."

The Legal 500
"...it was lovely to meet you and hear your talk on pensions. I thought it was refreshing, insightful and a much-needed reminder that we should all be getting our ducks in a row..."

Feedback following a public presentation
"...We all felt very empowered after the evening, so thank you to you for your time and all at Nelsons!"

Feedback following a public presentation (continued)

Make an enquiry

If you wish to contact us, please complete the form below. A member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible. When you submit this form, you are consenting to a member of our team to contact you via phone or email regarding your request. We encourage you to review our Privacy Notice for detailed information on how we manage and protect your data.

Main Contact Form

Used on contact page

Independent Financial Advisers FAQS

Below, we have answered some frequently asked questions concerning independent financial advisers

Do I need financial advice?
If you’re looking to invest, purchase a financial product, or simply manage your money more effectively for the future, then financial advice can be really helpful.

If you are having troubles in relation to financial decisions that are beyond your level of expertise and experience it can be helpful to discuss this with a financial adviser to gain some clarity on the situation and assess your options.

See below some things a financial adviser can do:
- Meet with you to assess your current financial situation and goals
- Develop a comprehensive plan that would address any major areas of financial concern i.e. retirement, insurance, Trust funds, avoiding estate tax, etc.
- Provide advice as unexpected financial issues arise in your life
- Help set up investment funds and accounts for you
- Locate appropriate financial vehicles for you i.e. insurance policies
What types of financial advisers are there?
Financial advisers look at your current personal circumstances and your financial plans and then recommend products to help meet your needs. However, the type of financial adviser you approach for advice may limit the range of products you are recommended.

There are two types of financial advisers:
- Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) give unbiased advice about the whole range of financial products from all different companies available.
- Restricted Advisers give advice on a limited range of products. Usually specialising in one particular area, i.e. pensions, or they may only offer advice on products offered by a limited number of companies.
It is advisable to get independent financial advice so that you can look at the widest range of advice and products available.
Can a financial adviser assist with pension and retirement planning?

Yes, some financial advisers, including members of our team, can provide specialist advice in respect of pensions and retirement planning. A financial adviser can help you provide a secure future through careful retirement planning by reviewing the pension provision you have made so far and telling you how much you can expect when you retire.
Is there a charge for a first appointment with a financial adviser?

The majority of financial advisers will offer a free, no-obligation first meeting, during which they can tell you more about what they do and also allow them to listen and understand your personal circumstances and exactly what you are looking for. As part of this discussion, it is useful to take with you a list of your current income and assets (e.g. cash, investments, pensions).

The adviser will then be able to look at your financial situation and explain how they can help you if you appoint them.
How do I check an adviser?

If you’ve chosen your adviser it’s worth checking with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to see whether they’re regulated and approved.

The Financial Services Register shows details of the firms, individuals, and bodies that are currently or have previously been regulated by the FCA or The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)

If you use an adviser that is not approved by the FCA, you will not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Both schemes allow you to seek compensation if things go wrong.