Independent financial adviser
Use for regulated recommendations about investments, pensions, life assurance and an overall financial plan. Check the individual and firm on the FCA Register and understand whether advice is independent or restricted.
Route the problem correctly
Choosing the Right Professional
Inheritance tax questions often cross regulated financial advice, legal drafting and specialist tax. The right answer may require more than one professional.
General education, not personal financial, legal or tax advice.
Solicitor
Use for wills, powers of attorney, trust drafting, estate administration and legal ownership questions. Look for relevant private-client experience and clear scope and fees.
Tax adviser
Use for complex IHT computations, cross-border residence, trusts, businesses, farms and HMRC reporting. Check professional membership, specialist experience and professional indemnity cover.
Questions to ask before engaging anyone
- Who is the contracting firm and how is it regulated?
- What experience do you have with estates like mine?
- What advice is included—and explicitly excluded?
- How are fees calculated, and are referral payments involved?
- Who will coordinate financial, tax and legal work?
- What evidence and records will I receive?
Current site status
Inheritance Tax Doctor is an educational publisher, not an FCA-authorised advice firm. Consumer introductions are not currently open and no enquiry data is being collected through this site.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
Who can advise on regulated inheritance tax planning?
An appropriately authorised financial adviser can advise on regulated investments, pensions and protection-based planning.
When is a solicitor or tax adviser needed?
A solicitor is usually appropriate for wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration. A tax adviser can address complex tax analysis, reporting and cross-border questions.