Member Article

Poole-based Woodstock Legal Services joins The Probate Network

A Dorset solicitor has joined a specialist network designed to provide clarity and a clear direction for families who find themselves dealing with probate issues for the first time. Probate gives the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and possessions when they die.

Becci Newton, of Woodstock Legal Services, Poole, will offer a free, no obligation, 20-minute legal consultation through The Probate Network. The Probate Network is a network of solicitors’ firms across England and Wales. It was founded by legal marketing expert Julie Draper to make life easier for families negotiating the legal and estate administration landscape following the death of a loved one.

Becci, a solicitor who specialises in private client work, said: “The Probate Network is a fantastic resource. It provides ease of access to legal advice during the time of bereavement, with no obligation to further instruct a solicitor.

“I decided to specialise in Private Client work to help people at a difficult time and this is at the core of the Probate Network. It allows me to give time to those going through a bereavement who may just need a little guidance.”

Becci said she had no hesitation in joining the Probate Network having heard Julie’s reasons for founding it.

Following the death of Julie’s father, her mother rang some local solicitors to seek some basic advice but was met with the need to book an appointment, paid for at an hourly rate.

“Our family didn’t need Probate for dad’s estate,” explains Julie. “If mum had taken one of the appointments offered, she’d have paid to be told she’d done a good job getting everything in order.

“Having worked as a marketer in the legal arena for many years. I decided to set up the Probate Network to provide people needing advice with an option to talk to a Probate Solicitor for free.

“The people who use the Network may find they don’t need further professional assistance, just like my mum and that’s absolutely fine. However, probate can be complicated and for some, simply overwhelming. In this instance, when further support is required, the free consultation enables them to talk to a solicitor like Becci and asses if she is someone they can work with. Having trust and a good professional rapport with a probate solicitor is crucial, particularly when a family is grieving.”

The Probate Network guarantees consultations will be with a qualified lawyers who have specialist probate knowledge. The lawyer will belong to a firm which is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nigel Howle .