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KMD Financial Planning LLP - Hartley, Kent
Our Services and How We Work
Six areas of financial planning from a Chartered Independent Financial Planner, and a clear process from your free first meeting to ongoing reviews. Not tied to any provider; every recommendation is whole of market and based entirely on what is right for you.
CharteredIndependentFCA RegulatedFree initial consultation
What Independent Financial Advice Means
As an independent financial adviser, we are not tied to any provider, product or investment house. Every recommendation is assessed across the whole market - chosen solely because it is right for you.
Independent advice means you benefit from access to the entire market - not just a panel of preferred providers. We assess every product, lender and insurer on its own merits against your specific circumstances, goals and tax position. You can verify our authorisation on the FCA Financial Services Register under reference number 1032694.
Chartered Financial Planner status is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute. It reflects advanced technical knowledge, ethical practice and a formal commitment to continuing professional development. Learn more about the value of independent advice at MoneyHelper, the government-backed financial guidance service.
Our approach is holistic - meaning we look at your entire financial picture rather than treating each area in isolation. Your pensions, investments, mortgage, protection and estate planning all work together within one coherent, long-term strategy.
Our Financial Planning Services
We provide whole-of-market advice across all the main areas of personal financial planning. Click any service to find out more.
Pension & Retirement
Pension Advice in Kent
Whether you are consolidating old pensions, planning your retirement income or choosing between drawdown and annuity options, we provide clear, independent advice to help you make confident decisions. Explore pension rules at The Pensions Regulator.
Investment Planning
Investment Advice in Kent
Evidence-based investment strategies using ISAs, GIAs, investment bonds and SIPPs - built around your goals, risk profile and time horizon. Not tied to any platform or fund manager. For background guidance visit MoneyHelper.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning Advice in Kent
Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on estates above the nil-rate band. With house prices across Kent rising significantly, effective planning has never been more important. We advise on gifting, trusts and life insurance in trust. See HMRC’s IHT guidance.
Mortgage
Mortgage Advice in Kent
Whole-of-market mortgage advice for first-time buyers, home movers, remortgagers and buy-to-let landlords - including lenders not available on comparison sites. Complex cases including self-employed and adverse credit welcome.
Protection & Insurance
Insurance Advice in Kent
Independent advice on life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection and family income benefit - searching the whole market for the most suitable cover. No upfront fee for protection advice; we receive commission from the insurer on placement.
Investing for Children
Investing for Children
From Junior ISAs to structured long-term savings plans, we help you build a strong financial foundation for your children or grandchildren. Up to £9,000 per tax year can be invested in a Junior ISA free of income and capital gains tax.
Why Clients Choose KMD Financial Planning
Our approach is built on six principles that guide every piece of advice we give and every client relationship we build.
Independence
Not tied to any provider, lender or insurer. Every recommendation is assessed whole-of-market against your specific circumstances - never against a panel or product incentive. Verified on the FCA Register.
Chartered Status
Awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute, reflecting advanced technical knowledge and a commitment to ethical practice.
Holistic Planning
Your pension, investments, mortgage, protection and estate planning are all connected. We consider the full picture to ensure every part of your financial plan works together coherently.
Transparent Fees
All fees explained clearly in writing before any work begins. No hidden charges, no surprises. View our full fee structure here.
Clarity over Jargon
Financial advice should be understandable. We explain complex topics in plain English so you can make genuinely informed decisions rather than simply trusting what you are told.
Your Interests First
As a regulated independent adviser, we are legally and ethically required to act in your best interests. No sales targets, no product quotas and no pressure to buy anything.
Our Financial Planning Process
A clear, structured process so you know what to expect at every stage. Nothing happens without your agreement and no fees are incurred until you choose to proceed.
1
Free Initial Consultation
A no-obligation call or meeting to understand your goals, circumstances and concerns. We confirm whether and how we can help before any work begins.
2
Fact-Find
We gather a full picture of your financial position - income, assets, existing arrangements, tax position and long-term goals.
3
Research & Analysis
We assess the whole market to determine the most suitable strategy, wrappers and providers for your specific circumstances.
4
Written Recommendation
A clear suitability report in plain English explaining our advice, the reasoning behind it, costs involved and any risks or alternatives considered.
5
Implementation
We handle the paperwork, liaise with providers and manage the process from start to finish so you do not have to.
6
Ongoing Review
Annual reviews to keep your plan on track as legislation changes, markets move and your personal circumstances evolve.
Before You Start: Common Questions
What people usually ask before their first meeting.
What should I look for in a financial adviser’s service scope?
Whether the adviser is independent or restricted, whether they can advise on pensions, investments, protection, mortgages and estate planning together, what qualifications they hold, how they charge, and what you get for any ongoing fee. We set all of this out in writing before any work starts.
What happens at the first meeting?
We talk through your goals, what you have in place now and anything that is worrying you, then explain how we could help and what it would cost. The first meeting is free and there is no obligation to go further.
What should I bring?
Recent statements for any pensions, investments and savings, details of your mortgage and any insurance policies, and a rough idea of your income and outgoings. An untidy pile is fine; gathering the details from providers is part of what we do.
How long does the advice process take?
It depends mainly on how quickly existing providers send information. Gathering details on several older pensions can take some weeks, while a mortgage with a purchase deadline can move much faster. We tell you the expected timescale at the start.
How much does financial advice cost?
Fees are agreed in writing before any chargeable work starts. Our fee structure page sets out our charges, and our guide to what a financial adviser costs explains how UK advisers charge in general.
Do you advise on defined benefit pension transfers?
No. We plan around defined benefit pensions, looking at how they fit with your other savings and your retirement income, but we do not advise on transferring them.
Do I need to meet you in person?
Not unless you would like to. Meetings can be at our office in Hartley, at your home or by video call, and many clients use a mix of all three.
Useful Independent Resources
MoneyHelperGovernment-backed financial guidance
FCA Financial Services RegisterVerify our authorisation - ref. 1032694
HMRC - Inheritance TaxOfficial IHT guidance and thresholds
The Pensions RegulatorPension rules and guidance
Financial Ombudsman ServiceYour rights and how to complain
HMRC - ISA GuidanceISA rules, allowances and types
Related guides
Read more on this subject
Ready to talk to an independent financial adviser in Kent?
Whether you are planning for retirement, investing for the future, protecting your family or thinking about estate planning, a short conversation can bring clarity and confidence to your financial future.
No obligation · No cost · In person or by video call
Important information
The information on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute individual financial advice.
As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.
Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The value of investments may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you originally invested.
Pensions are a long-term investment. You may get back less than you put in. Pensions can be and are subject to tax and regulatory change; therefore, the tax treatment of pension benefits can and may change in the future.
THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE TAXATION ADVICE.
Please seek regulated financial advice tailored to your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.