Wills, Trusts & Probate

The legal issues surrounding the death of a loved one can often be complex. We provide expert knowledge and peace of mind by advising on what steps you should be taking and help find practical solutions when you are considering how to ensure your future wishes and financial affairs are protected.

Talk to one of our friendly and experienced team on 01582 514000

Will Writing Challenging a Will Probate Administration of Estates Contentious Probate Inheritance Tax Inheritance Tax & Gifts Unmarried Couples and Property Ownership Inheritance Tax Planning Trusts Care Planning Intestacy Rules Intestacy Rules – Cohabiting Couples Lasting Powers of Attorney Wills at Work The Importance of Making a Will What to Do When Someone Has Died Planning and preparing for later life View all services

Sympathetic and understanding estate administration

Our team of experienced private client lawyers have built up considerable technical experience in relation to wills, inheritance tax planning and the administration of estates and have considerable expertise in all matters of concern to our older clients too.

We are also on hand to advise if there is a dispute over a will, trust or estate. We can provide access to independent financial advisors, accountants and other professional advisors.

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Expert advice on wills, trust & probate issues

We pride ourselves on being sympathetic and reassuring and will work with you at each stage and enable you to find a resolution as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and are recognised as being able to give practical, expert advice. We regularly advise private individuals, couples, family businesses, trustees and beneficiaries.

Our offices have facilities for disabled people, including wheelchair access, a car park, lift and toilets.

Don't take our word for it

Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful advice.

I don’t think the service could be improved

I have received the very best service since I approached Machins when my parents died and I eventually had to sell their property. I have received exceptional service since my husband passed away last year.

Very helpful in times of need. Provides confidence in advice. Good firm

Legal 500 2024

Broad spread of experience. They provide first-class service in a timely fashion.

Legal 500 2024

Machins provide first-class service and explain the process to clients in a manner that they understand

Legal 500 2024

Radha recently helped me organise my will. Even with every strange request she was professional and friendly. Thank you Radha and her college Sam. I would definitely recommend them!

Google 5* Review

Machins dealt with the Will, Probate and house sale after my mother died. They were both helpful, efficient, transparent and professional throughout this whole difficult process. They also charged a very reasonable fee. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Google 5* Review

Strong leadership is evident, and the depth of knowledge, even amongst juniors is impressive. The team obviously and consistently puts the client’s needs at the centre of all discussions. Their client-facing staff are very patient, caring and practical with their advice. The meetings feel more like chats than interviews. One feels they are on your side, and fully prepared to listen to every detail, to ensure they truly understand their client's needs.

Legal 500 2023

They are very clear on their website; they are open and friendly. During the pandemic, they made it easy to communicate through Zoom. They have a good payment system over the phone partially human and then automated generated for security.

Legal 500 2023

The team are all knowledgeable, professional and approachable.’

Legal 500 2023

The best thing about Machins is that you get a personal service led by a competent partner expert in the field.

Legal 500 2023

They take a personal interest in the case and give you a fully rounded service.

Legal 500 2023

Always available, skilled supportive staff.

Legal 500 2023

Great experience getting our wills sorted! Very informative and explained every step of the process clearly. Would definitely recommend Machins Solicitors.

Google 5* Review

The members have the ability to listen and communicate, in often very personal and private circumstances. A true desire to assist clients to reach a realistic outcome.

The private client team at Machins handle family matters with care and sensitivity whilst explaining matters clearly.

The team at Machins are approachable and although they are often dealing with potentially difficult situations, they respond to clients professionally but also sensitively and with understanding

Legal 500 2022

The team exude confidence in what they do and the advice they offer.

Legal 500 2022

My family and myself have dealt with Machins for many years and have used many of their professional departments. The service you receive is professional but also very personal to your requirements.

Legal 500 2022

Friendly, efficient and supportive

Legal 500 2022

I always felt that I was dealing with a very competent team.

Both my wife and myself thought it was the best solicitors we have ever had dealings with.

Our Wills, Trusts & Probate Team

Our Wills, Trusts & Probate Services

We regularly advise private individuals, couples, family businesses, trustees and beneficiaries on a multitude of different topics.

Will Writing

Making a will is crucial to ensure your assets pass to those you choose when you die. And yet, research consistently finds that over half of UK adults do not have a will.

Challenging a Will

With an ageing population and more people living in less traditional family set ups it is becoming increasingly common for people to challenge wills and make claims on the estates of their deceased relatives.

Probate

Probate is the process by which a person’s estate is administered after they die. It is usually carried out by a spouse, a son or daughter or a close relative with the help of a solicitor. It’s a very important role because everything must be done according to the law and in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.

Administration of Estates

Dealing with the loss of a relative or friend can be very difficult and those left behind are usually also tasked with the role of administering the estate. Even if you have dealt with probate before, every estate is different and the work involved, as well as the potential legal issues, can vary enormously.

Contentious Probate

Dealing with conflicts relating to a loved one or family member’s estate can be an emotional and stressful process. We have a wealth of experience advising claimants, executors and trustees on claims relating to estates, guiding them through a sometimes complex area of law.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax (IHT) is the tax which is payable when a person dies. IHT is not payable in all situations.

Inheritance Tax & Gifts

Making gifts during your lifetime can be a useful tax planning tool. If you make a gift and then survive for 7 years, the gift is not included in your estate for tax purposes when you die. In this way, you can pass your assets to your family or friends without incurring any inheritance tax liability.

Unmarried Couples and Property Ownership

There is often confusion between the rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples and Civil Partners as opposed to unmarried couples. Outside a legal union a partner has no automatic inheritance rights and any property and assets will pass, if not by will, according to the Intestacy Rules which make no provision at all for an unmarried partner. When it comes to buying and selling a property there are specific legal measures you can take to ensure you are protected if your situation should change in the future.

Inheritance Tax Planning

Your estate may be impacted by Inheritance Tax if the total value your assets less the total value of any debts you have at the date of your death is greater than £325,000.

Trusts

Trusts can be created for a number of different reasons. They are commonly created in a Will and can also be created during a person’s lifetime. This may be for tax or other plnning purposes and we can advise on the options that are available to you in your circumstances.

Care Planning

Planning for care fees may involve reviewing and amending your and your partner’s Wills to establish trusts which will provide some asset protection.

Intestacy Rules

Intestacy rules govern how a person’s estate is dealt with where a valid will has not been made, or if the will is not sufficient by itself.

Intestacy Rules – Cohabiting Couples

When it comes to estate planning on the death of an individual, the default legal positions for married and unmarried couples who have not made wills are very different. There is a common misconception that long term partners are automatically entitled to a share of their partner’s estate if they die without a will. However this is not the case.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Lasting powers of attorney are forms you complete and sign, naming people you want to be able to make decisions for you which continues even if you are no longer able to make them for yourself (if, for example, you have dementia or are unable to communicate following a stroke).

Wills at Work

Everybody knows how important it is to make a will but most people can’t find the time to visit a solicitor or worry that it’s too complicated or expensive.

The Importance of Making a Will

It is very important to make a will. If you die without one, the way your money, property or possessions are distributed may not be what you would have wished.

What to Do When Someone Has Died

Unless we have been through it before, most of us don’t know what we are supposed to do from a legal point of view when someone close to us has died.

Planning and preparing for later life

Price and Service Information for Wills, Trusts & Probate

This page will give you up to date information in relation to our pricing structure and timescales for our Wills, Trusts & Probate services.

Get in touch with us

Our experienced solicitors are on hand to give you advice and assistance.

Call our team on 01582 514000 or Contact Us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Related news & events

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Probate processing time update

28 November 2024 By Nigel Gibson-Birch Wills, Trusts & Probate

The probate process has seen significant delays, especially with the shift to online applications, which have become slower since the pandemic. While simple cases can be processed in about four weeks, more complex situations may take 16 weeks or longer. This blog explores the current state of probate processing times, factors causing delays, and practical advice on how to ensure your application moves forward smoothly. Learn how keeping a Will updated and seeking professional guidance can help minimize disruptions in this important legal process.

19 Mar