If I call out the plumber to fix the leaky tap I wouldn't expect the plumber to try to tie me into a contract whereby he comes out to fix the tap every year whether it's leaking or not. If I decide to pay the surgeon for the operation I'd hope it's a one-off...I wouldn't expect the surgeon to line me up as a future patient for my annual operation. The comparisons are absurd I know, because the business models are completely different. Steven I've just seen that you're a financial planner and don't mean any offence to you, but surely one-off independent advice isn't the average financial advisor's business model? I find it hard to believe that if the OP went to a financial advisor he wouldn't be advised to enter into some kind of ongoing contract whether he objectively needs that or not, either for ongoing advice, managment services or sale of a product that will provide commission to the advisor. Too cynical? Maybe...