Martin & Strain have had a specialist private client department since we were established in 1986. During this period we have advised and assisted hundreds of clients and their families to sort out those often complex questions about their property, assets and financial affairs.

Additionally the firm provides a comprehensive range of legal services to both individuals and businesses.

Regardless of the problem, the success of the practice throughout this period has been due to our active policy of client care. This has led to our many satisfied and loyal clients recommending us to their families, friends and business colleagues.

Wills
If you don’t make a will your property and other assets may not pass to whom you want. The future well being of your family may depend on you having prepared an effective and legally valid will. Using our specialist knowledge of property, trusts and tax law we will help cater for a number of different possibilities and prepare the will so as to maximise your peace of mind.

Will Reviews
You may well have prepared a will many years ago. However as a result of changes in your own personal family or financial circumstances it may no longer reflect your current wishes. Furthermore, changes in the inheritance tax provisions may also mean you need to review your will. We offer a no cost discussion to help you identify whether or not any changes would be beneficial to you.

Enduring Power of Attorney
Have you considered who would manage your affairs if you become mentally incapable of handling things yourself? Many clients have in the past had the foresight and wisdom to ask us, as their solicitors to prepare an enduring power of attorney in order to minimise the problems should this situation arise.

Independent Financial Advice
Our financial planning department provides a vital link to all our clients for independent financial advice. Good professional financial advice is essential to make the most of your savings and investments. We believe that the financial advice should be given by an independent financial adviser. That is someone who can recommend any of the investments on the market and is not tied to one provider. There is no charge for the initial consultation and no obligation on your part to proceed. We will give you a clear presentation of the facts and the choices you have available to you, together with the details of the costs and an assessment of the risks involved.

Inheritance Tax Planning
Tax law is complex and forever changing. We can advise you on the best way to plan ahead and to arrange your tax affairs during your lifetime to minimise the amount eventually payable.

Help for Personal Representatives
Personal representatives are the people named in a will to act as executor, or the next of kin of someone who has left no will. Being a personal representative has very heavy responsibilities and can be legally difficult. This is apart from the fact that after the loss of someone close to you, dealing with these matters may prove personally distressing. With this in mind we will relieve you of this burden of “getting Probate” and help you ensure that the wishes of the deceased are followed.

Long Term Residential Care
It is a fact of life that many people may need to go into a nursing home or some other form of long term residential care when they get older. It is also true that your capital and home can be used to pay for this care. Simply transferring the ownership to your children however is no guarantee that your house is protected from being used to pay for fees. We provide advice and practical help on dealing with this sort of situation.

The Law and the Elderly
As a practice we give help and advice on a full range of topics that elderly people and their families have to address, including court of protection, asset protection and living wills.

Caring for Clients
Specialisation - As a result of our experience of dealing with the concerns of clients and their families we are able to give you the most up to date practical solutions to any questions and problems you may have.

Keeping in touch - We recognise the importance of keeping in touch. This of course is not just whilst we are dealing with a specific matter, but also more generally over the years. Without cost we see it as part of our service to make you aware of things that might affect you as they arise.

Costs - We believe it is very important that there should be no hidden surprises for you when it comes to our charges. With this in mind we always advice our clients of our charging methods at the outset and keep you updated as things progress.

Technology – Our office is equipped with an expanding range of modern technology. This is to enhance our efficiency, accuracy and to make us as responsive as possible.

Accessibility – Our office premises have ground floor access. We are able to offer home or hospital appointments by arrangement.

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