Financial adviser vs solicitor for inheritance: who does what?
The solicitor deals with legal work. The financial adviser helps the recipient decide what the inherited wealth should do next.
What is the solicitor's role?
Solicitors can deal with legal estate matters, probate, wills, ownership and other legal questions depending on the instruction. They are not automatically responsible for giving regulated investment advice.
What is the financial adviser's role?
A financial adviser can help the recipient plan around inherited cash or investments, retirement, investment risk and other financial goals within the adviser's permissions.
When do they need to work together?
Large or complex estates can involve legal ownership, tax, investment and family-planning questions simultaneously. Clear coordination helps stop important assumptions falling between professional roles.
Which should you speak to first?
If the estate is still being administered, legal clarity may need to come first. You can still speak to a financial adviser early to understand future planning, but major investment decisions should be based on assets you actually own and understand.