# Stephen Nelson

> Stephen Nelson is a fee-only financial advisor at Birchwood Capital LLC in Carlsbad, California, who holds the CFP and CFA credentials. Stephen charges a flat fee or retainer and an ongoing planning fee (ongoing planning from $45,000 a year and a $10,000,000 asset minimum) and focuses on tax planning, estate & legacy planning and family wealth transfer.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stephen-nelson/
Built from public directory listings; last checked April 21, 2026.

## Facts

- **Firm:** Birchwood Capital LLC
- **Based in:** Carlsbad, California
- **Fee model:** Flat fee or retainer; Ongoing planning fee
- **Fees (firm's website):** ongoing planning from $45,000 a year; a $10,000,000 asset minimum
- **Assets under management (firm):** $105.2M across 252 accounts
- **Credentials:** CFP, CFA
- **Specialties:** Tax planning, Estate & legacy planning, Family wealth transfer, Retirement planning, Flat-fee planning
- **Works with:** Ultra high net worth, Retirees, Pre-retirees, Founders, Executives, Multi-generational families
- **CRD:** 6539603 (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/6539603)
- **SEC registration:** Investment adviser representative in CA, GA, OR, TX
- **Exams passed:** Series 63 (2015), Series 65 (2017)
- **Firm size:** 3 employees
- **Disclosures:** None reported
- **Website:** https://birchwoodcapital.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stephen Nelson a fee-only financial advisor?

Yes. Stephen Nelson is listed in the XY Planning Network directory (XYPN members are fee-only). SEC records as of October 27, 2026 show no broker registration and no commission compensation reported by Stephen's firm.

### How does Stephen charge for financial advice?

Stephen charges a flat fee or retainer and an ongoing planning fee.

### How much does Stephen charge?

According to Birchwood Capital LLC's website, checked October 28, 2026: ongoing planning from $45,000 a year; a $10,000,000 asset minimum.

### Where is Stephen Nelson based?

Stephen Nelson is based in Carlsbad, California.

### What does Stephen specialize in?

Stephen's specialties include tax planning, estate & legacy planning, family wealth transfer, retirement planning and flat-fee planning. Stephen works with ultra high net worth, retirees, pre-retirees, founders and executives.

### What credentials does Stephen Nelson hold?

Stephen Nelson holds the CFP and CFA credentials.

### Is Stephen Nelson registered with the SEC?

Yes. Stephen Nelson is registered as an investment adviser representative in CA, GA, OR and TX (CRD 6539603), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of October 27, 2026.

### How much does Birchwood Capital LLC manage?

Birchwood Capital LLC reports $105.2M across 252 accounts in assets under management.

### How do I contact Stephen Nelson?

Through Stephen's website, birchwoodcapital.com.

## Sources

- XY Planning Network directory listing (https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/find-an-advisor/stephen-nelson-10835): XYPN members are fee-only
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and Form ADV: registration, exams, and firm facts, data as of October 27, 2026
- The firm's website (https://birchwoodcapital.com/): specialties, clients served, and fees, checked October 28, 2026

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Source: Wellspent, the public graph of fee-only advisors (https://find.wellspent.co). No paid placement.