LegaCare
Testimonials
Helping people focus on what matters
— not legal paperwork
Every person we help has a different story with different legal needs — this page shares what some of our previous patients have to say about us.
When you or someone you love is facing a life limiting or life threatening diagnosis, the last thing you should have to worry about is legal paperwork. That's where we come in.
Since 2011, LegaCare has been standing alongside patients and their families across the North East — helping with wills, powers of attorney, financial claims, debt and so much more. Because you have enough to deal with, and the people you love deserve to be protected, with whatever happens.
Names have been changed to protect patient privacy. Testimonials are shared with consent.
A Decade Of Making A Difference
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"I was terrified about what would happen to my children if the worst happened. LegaCare sorted my Will and Lasting Power of Attorney within days — at no cost to me. For the first time in months, I could focus on my treatment instead of the paperwork."
- Patient referred by a North East hospice partner
"We had no idea we were entitled to the benefits we were missing out on. Legacare helped us claim what we should have had all along - it made an enormous difference to our family's situation."
- Family member of a patient supported through a NHS Trust referral
"LegaCare is like being part of a family, I couldn't thank Meg more"
Real Clients
The people we help are those who would normally not bother asking for legal help because they come from the poorest parts of the North East and already have to face many struggles and see the accessibility to legal help as something way beyond their reach.
It’s our goal to help them by undertaking any legal work that is required so that they can concentrate on their treatment and getting better, but where their prognosis is poor then our aim is to alleviate their stress so they can have improved quality of life in their last months, weeks or days of life.
Jenny's story
Protecting a child's future
"I just want my little boy protected."
Jenny was 27 when she was referred to LegaCare. She was living with a terminal diagnosis and was determined to make plans to protect her two-year-old son. During her meeting with a LegaCare solicitor, Jenny explained that she wanted to make a will and explore whether she could appoint her parents as guardians for her son. Although her partner was named on the birth certificate and therefore held parental responsibility, Jenny did not feel he was someone she could trust to care for their child. When gently asked to explain her concerns, Jenny disclosed that her partner was controlling and abusive. She described being pressured into sexual activity, even while she was undergoing treatment and feeling extremely unwell. Our solicitor supported Jenny with sensitivity and care, explaining that what she had experienced was abuse, and that, if she wished, LegaCare could help her report this to the police. This step could also strengthen the case for her parents to seek care arrangements for her son in the future. Jenny was overwhelmed but relieved to know she had support. LegaCare acted quickly to put Jenny’s will in place, formally documenting her wishes and appointing her parents as guardians. We then worked closely with the police, supporting Jenny throughout the investigation and ensuring she was never navigating the process alone. Following Jenny’s death, LegaCare continued to stand alongside her family. We supported her parents in making a guardianship application, helping to give effect to Jenny’s wishes and to secure a safe and stable future for her son.
Audrey's story
Securing a Family’s Future
‘If I pop my clogs tomorrow, I’ll die happy’
Audrey, aged 54, was referred to LegaCare by a palliative care nurse to make a will. She had four children, including a youngest daughter from a short relationship. Her immediate concern was ensuring that her daughter would be properly cared for, as her other children’s father did not wish to adopt her. LegaCare supported Audrey in exploring guardianship options and worked with social services to progress appropriate arrangements, ensuring her will reflected these plans. During the process of taking instructions, Audrey mentioned a deferred pension from a former employer. LegaCare made enquiries on her behalf and discovered that the pension had been overlooked following a TUPE transfer, with her details having “slipped through the net.” As a result, Audrey received £110,000 that she was unaware she was entitled to. This transformed her ability to plan for her children. LegaCare amended her will to include a trust structure, enabling funds to be managed responsibly for their benefit throughout childhood. Audrey also prepared a detailed letter of wishes, setting out what mattered most to her in how her children should be supported and raised. After signing her final will, Audrey said: “If I pop my clogs tomorrow, I’ll die happy.” She had the comfort of knowing that her children would not only be cared for, but financially secure in the years ahead.
Michael's Story
Michael has stage 5 Parkinsons disease and 7 years ago found himself in a difficult situation after changing medication. He developed a gambling addiction as a side affect of the medication and spent 7 years tackling the council to try and get them to become Appointees to take control of his money. It got to the stage where Michael became severely depressed and his doctor introduced him to Meg at LegaCare who helped get the Appointeeship put in place. Michael now volunteers at the LegaCare office twice a week to help stay positive and to also give back to the charity.
Kate's Story
Kate was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She lived in an upstairs flat and found it increasingly difficult to go out, as her health deteriorated. LegaCare helped Kate not only with putting her affairs in order, but helped her secure a new flat; assisted with the move and helped to find a home for Merlin, Kate's rabbit.
Eric, aged 62 was referred to LegaCare to make a will. Living alone without close family or friends. His primary concern was ensuring his beloved cat would be cared for after his death. During the meeting, it became clear that Eric had no one to arrange his funeral or manage his affairs. In his vulnerability, he wanted to give his debit card to the solicitor to check whether he had sufficient funds - an example of the level of trust and risk many people in his position face. LegaCare stepped in to provide holistic support. When drafting his will, he disclosed that ‘I don’t want to die alone, but I have nobody’. The solicitor assured Eric that he definitely would not die alone. Alongside drafting his will, we helped Eric plan his funeral in detail, including choosing flowers, his music and liaising with the hospital chaplain and Eric for words about his life. It is difficult to put into words the difference this made to his last few days of life – other than him saying he felt ‘so at peace and ready’. After Eric’s death, LegaCare ensured his wishes were honoured. His funeral was attended by those who had cared for him - including the Ward sister, the hospital chaplain, and his LegaCare solicitor. After his service, his beautiful wreath was placed on his mother’s grave, and his cat was adopted by a specialist palliative care nurse. Through compassionate, practical support, LegaCare ensured Eric was not alone and that his life, and wishes, were treated with dignity to the end.
Eric's story
Protecting the most vulnerable
"I don't want to die alone, but I have nobody."
Lance, aged 46, was referred to LegaCare by his hospice. The social worker explained that, rather than referring patients to private practice, the hospice worked in trusted partnership with LegaCare. Lance welcomed this approach and offered to make a donation equivalent to private fees, recognising the value of supporting a service that others in his position rely upon. With a very short life expectancy, Lance initially believed he needed a simple will, leaving everything to his wife, Aida, and then to their t three young daughters. However, during his appointment, it quickly became clear that his circumstances were far more complex. Lance owned his home, remained in employment with a substantial income, held two life insurance policies with a combined value of over £800,000, and had a pension pot of approximately £350,000. Rather than a straightforward will, Lance needed urgent, joined-up support. He was unaware that he could access terminal illness benefits from his life policies and had not explored how his pension could support him during his lifetime. His priority was clear: he wanted to return home and fund the care and services that would give him the best possible quality of life, while ensuring long-term financial security for Aida and their children. LegaCare advised on the legal aspects of his situation and, recognising the need for specialist financial input, arranged a coordinated meeting with a trusted financial adviser. This brought together Lance, Aida, the solicitor and the adviser in a tripartite discussion, enabling a clear and practical plan to be put in place. Lance described this as “exactly what I need” - a joined-up approach that gave him clarity and control at a critical time. Following this, LegaCare progressed his will and also prepared Aida’s will, ensuring their wishes aligned with the financial arrangements made. Through early intervention and trusted partnership, Lance was able to access the support he needed during his lifetime, while safeguarding financial security for his family in the years ahead.
Lance's story
Planning for Security and Choice at the End of Life
‘This is exactly what I need’
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