Meg Dugdale is a mum, estate planning consultant and the founder of Play & Plan, a community-based initiative designed to make estate planning and legal advice more accessible for young families. Through consultations held in soft play venues, she helps parents put important plans in place while their children play – removing common barriers to accessing legal advice and making estate planning simple, clear and approachable.
What was your career path to your current role?
My W&P Legal journey began in 2020 as an administrator. Over the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to support clients across the business, taking on a variety of roles including case handler, managing our lifetime planning department, and now, as a consultant, having the privilege of speaking with clients every day.
Each role has given me valuable experience within this area of law, while also helping me understand the wider client journey and, most importantly, what matters to our clients. I’m passionate about building genuine relationships, making things feel simple and approachable, and ensuring every client feels listened to and supported.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I am passionate about continuing to grow and develop within the private client area of law. I am currently working towards my CILEX qualification and am just three exams away from becoming a CILEX Lawyer. I am hoping to complete this next year, and once qualified, I will be looking at my next qualification or course to continue building my knowledge and expertise.
I genuinely believe that knowledge is power, and I am always keen to learn, develop and challenge myself so that I can continue to provide the best possible support and experience for my clients.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
I’ve always wanted to do a job where I can give back to clients, support people and make a genuine difference. Not to sound too cheesy, but I really do believe that helping others is central to my purpose, and I get a real sense of accomplishment from knowing I’ve made someone’s journey a little easier.
My two girls are, without a doubt, my biggest inspiration. I had my eldest daughter, Maisie, when I was 22. I was young and, having just finished university, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do next. Becoming a mum gave me a new sense of purpose and made me more determined than ever to work hard and build a future for my family.
I want to give my girls the best childhood possible, provide financial stability for them and, most importantly, show them just how amazing working mums can be. I want them to grow up knowing that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.
My girls, along with my (slightly!) high standards and perfectionist nature, motivate me to maintain a high level of care and attention for every client. I want every person I speak to to feel listened to, supported and confident that they’re in good hands.
What has been the best development in wills and probate in the last 20 years?
For me it’s the move towards more modern, efficient and accessible systems. Technology has helped make processes quicker and more streamlined, but I also think some of the biggest progress has come from being more flexible about how and where people access advice. Traditional approaches don’t always work for busy young families, and community-based initiatives such as Play & Plan are a great example of how the industry can adapt to meet people where they are.
Developments such as video appointments, digital signing for certain documents and secure online portals for sharing information have also made things much easier for both clients and professionals. Ultimately, it means we can make the process feel more accessible and fit more naturally around people’s lives.
I’m really excited to see how the legal world continues to develop, there’s so much potential for technology and new ways of working to make legal services even more accessible, while still keeping the personal support and human connection that clients value.
And the worst?
I think one of the more challenging developments has been the expectation that, because of AI and all the efficiencies we now have, legal services should be as quick and easy as ordering something on Amazon Prime.
Of course, technology is fantastic and it has made so many things more efficient, but I think sometimes we forget that there are still real people behind the process. When you’re dealing with wills, trusts or probate, these are personal and often emotional matters, and you can’t always rush them.
Clients absolutely should feel like a priority, but that doesn’t mean we can work on one file 24 hours a day. We have other clients, other responsibilities and, ultimately, we’re human too!
For me, it’s about finding the balance. I love using technology to make things simpler and more efficient, but I don’t think we should ever lose the human element. Sometimes people just need to speak to a person, have something explained properly and know that someone is actually listening to them.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
Ensure everyone has access to free, impartial and accurate legal information and guidance. While I fully appreciate that we all have to make a living, I believe it is crucial that people have access to the information they need to make informed and educated decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Social media can be incredibly helpful in making legal information more accessible and spreading awareness, but it can also be a breeding ground for inaccurate information and scare-mongering. I would therefore welcome legislation or stronger measures to help ensure that the legal information being shared with potential clients is accurate and trustworthy, almost like a form of fact-checking for the sector.
I think everyone should have the opportunity to understand their options without feeling overwhelmed, misled or put off by the cost of seeking advice. Ultimately, better access to clear and reliable information would empower more people to make confident decisions about their future and put the right plans in place to protect the people they love.
What piece of legislation would you take off the statute books and why?
I think I would look at some of the formalities within the Wills Act 1837. I completely understand why there are safeguards in place when it comes to making a will, and I think protecting people from fraud, undue influence and disputes is incredibly important. However, I do think there is an opportunity to consider whether the current requirements could be more flexible to reflect the way we live and communicate today.
Technology has changed so much about how we work and interact with one another, and I think the legal sector should continue to explore how this can be used to make estate planning more accessible, while still maintaining the necessary protections.
For me, it ultimately comes back to making the process as simple and accessible as possible. The law should protect people, but I also think it should evolve alongside society and give people more flexibility in how they plan for and protect their loved ones.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Never be afraid of starting at the beginning. You don’t need to have your whole career mapped out from day one, and sometimes the opportunities you don’t expect can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
When I look back at starting my journey at W&P Legal I could never have imagined the different roles and experiences I would have along the way. Each opportunity has taught me something new, helped me develop my confidence and knowledge, and ultimately brought me to where I am today as a consultant.
I think it’s really important to stay curious, be willing to learn and not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Your career is a journey, and sometimes the biggest opportunities come from simply being open to where that journey takes you.
What advice would you like to give to someone just starting out?
Be open to every opportunity and not put too much pressure on yourself to have everything completely figured out from the beginning. It’s okay not to know exactly where you want to end up… Sometimes the roles or opportunities you least expect can teach you the most and lead you somewhere you never imagined.
Be curious, ask questions and never be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” There is so much to learn, particularly in the legal profession, and I think being willing to learn from the people around you is one of the best ways to develop.
Most importantly, believe in yourself. Your career is a journey, and you will make mistakes along the way. Mistakes are experiences that help you grow. Keep learning, work hard, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just need to keep moving forward.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
There are probably a few things people would be surprised to know about me! I lived in New Zealand for six years as a child, which developed a love for embracing all cultures, individuals and being close to nature – good for the soul.
I also have a degree in psychology and criminology, which perhaps explains my natural curiosity about people and what makes them tick! During my A Levels, I was actually paralysed twice, which was an extremely scary time. Despite this, I still managed to get the grades I need to get into university (which is definitely a win!).
And, to add a little bit of adventure to the mix, I’ve both skydived and bungee jumped. I’m always up for trying something new and exciting.
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