“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle".
Dedication
This biography is lovingly and humbly dedicated to the two people who shaped every part of who I am—my late mother, Margorie Clarke, and my late father, Henry Clarke.
Mom, your love and care built the foundation of my life. In the quiet moments when I doubted myself, it was your voice in my heart that told me to keep going. Your kindness, your hard work as a full-time mother, and your unshakable belief in doing what is right shaped the person I try to be every day. Even in death, you have remained my guiding star, reminding me that compassion is never wasted and that strength often wears the face of tenderness.
Dad, your honesty and dedication showed me what it means to work hard with pride and humility. You may have lived a modest life, but your values were rich beyond measure. I carry your quiet resilience in every courtroom letter I draft and every family I help. You taught me that the size of a man’s paycheck means nothing compared to the size of his heart.
To my beloved husband, Marek, my Polish partner and soulmate for over 14 years, thank you for your unending love and patience. You have walked beside me through every success and every heartbreak, never letting me fall even when my health and confidence gave way. When I was suffering with tumour, lost my independence, and at times my courage, you carried me with your kindness. You are my home, my helper, and my greatest blessing.
To my loyal staff and colleagues at Paralegal Services Sunderland Ltd and my funeral care businesses, thank you for sharing my vision of service. Your compassion and skill make it possible for us to reach families who would otherwise feel forgotten. You are not just co-workers; you are my trusted partners in this mission.
To my French Bulldogs and Maine Coon cats, who have filled my home with comfort, laughter, and warmth, especially in the loneliest hours, you remind me to rest, to smile, and to enjoy the simple joys of life.
And finally, to every person living with disability, illness, or hardship, and to anyone who feels overlooked because they were not born into privilege, this story is for you. Let it remind you that your worth is not defined by your circumstances. That illness may slow you down, but it cannot stop your spirit. And that helping others is the greatest way to heal your own heart.
With all my heart, I dedicate this story to those who gave me life, those who gave me love, and those who gave me purpose.
Dr. Tony Clarke-Dearing
Phase 1 : Family Roots and Journey of Learning
“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
I am Dr. Tony Clarke-Dearing, and my story begins with my family, who shaped my values, work ethic, and determination. I was born into a modest and loving household where honesty, kindness, and dedication were taught by example. My late mother, Margorie Clarke, was a full-time mother whose love and guidance provided me with the foundation for everything I have achieved. She was a pillar of strength, always putting her family first, and her wisdom continues to guide me. My father, Henry Clarke, was a hardworking and honest man, whose dedication to doing what was right inspired my own journey in helping others. Sadly, both of my parents have passed away, but their lessons live on in every step I take.
Although I do not have children of my own, I am surrounded by the comfort and joy of my beloved French Bulldogs and Maine Coon cats. They are not just pets, but companions who bring peace and stability to my daily life. They, along with my husband Marek, have been my comfort during my hardest personal and health challenges. He is my rock and my biggest supporter. Together, we’ve faced life’s difficulties and triumphs, hand in hand.
From a young age, my life was shaped by personal health challenges. I have lived with partial sight loss since childhood, a condition that would later worsen due to a brain tumour discovered behind my eye in 2021–2022. This tumour affected my memory, confidence, and mobility, and eventually led to the loss of my driving license. These challenges, however, have never defined me. Instead, they have driven me to persevere, adapt, and continue to work with the unwavering support of my husband and my dedicated team.
My educational path has been one of continuous learning and resilience. I carved my own way into the legal and funeral services fields through vocational training, professional courses, and hands-on experience. I began my formal training in funeral services in 2014–2015 through the IFD College, qualifying as a funeral director. This was the first step in a career dedicated to serving families during some of their most difficult times.
My interest in law and helping others understand their legal rights grew naturally from my work in funeral care. Recognizing a gap in accessible legal services, I pursued professional paralegal training and completed various CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses covering family law, wills and estates, and housing law. This foundation has allowed me to help countless families navigate legal complexities with clarity and compassion.
Phase 2 : The Career Path
“When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid
My professional journey began long before I ever opened my first legal service or funeral business. It started with a simple desire to help people when they were at their most vulnerable. My name is Dr. Tony Clarke-Dearing, and my working life has been defined by compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to affordable, honest service.
I first stepped into funeral care, qualifying as a funeral director through the IFD College in 2014–2015. In 2015, I founded Tony Clarke Funeral Directors Hylton House Ltd. This was my first company, built with the purpose of providing families with dignified, respectful, and caring funeral services. The work was deeply personal to me. I supported people during some of the hardest moments of their lives, arranging funerals with care and compassion. Over time, I partnered with other professionals in the industry, including funeral firms who trusted me to provide legally documented funeral plans. This helped many families find peace of mind knowing their wishes were protected in writing.
While running the funeral business, I saw first-hand the difficulties families faced when trying to navigate probate, wills, and legal paperwork during their time of grief. It became clear to me that there was a desperate need for affordable, accessible legal help in my community. So in 2016, I expanded my work and founded Tony Clarke Wills UK. I qualified as a will writer in 2016 and began helping families prepare wills, trusts, and other essential documents. My goal was to make will writing simple and affordable, especially for those who had never thought about protecting their estates before.
From 2017 to 2022, I worked as a Freelance Legal Adviser and Researcher, providing independent legal support in probate, benefits appeals, and housing matters. This freelance role allowed me to reach vulnerable clients who might not have been able to afford a solicitor. Many of these clients were facing serious challenges in their lives, such as housing insecurity or financial hardship, and needed practical legal guidance delivered with empathy and care. I made it my mission to help them access their rights and entitlements.
As my reputation grew, so did my ambition to create a legal service company that offered a wider range of support. In 2022, I founded Paralegal Services Sunderland Ltd, where I currently serve as Director and Senior Paralegal. This is a fully insured, independent legal services company offering fixed-fee support to people across Tyne and Wear. We provide home visit consultations and build partnerships with other service providers such as funeral directors and conveyancing firms.
Phase 3 : Supporting the Vulnerable Through Social Advocacy
“A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars”
From the earliest days of my career, my work has always been about more than just providing a service. My name is Dr. Tony Clarke-Dearing, and I have dedicated my life to standing alongside those who feel unheard, unseen, or powerless in the face of complicated legal and social systems. Whether helping grieving families, individuals battling housing problems, or vulnerable people facing discrimination, my goal has remained constant: to give them a voice and a path forward.
One of the most important areas of my work is supporting people through sensitive and complex legal situations. I have often found myself stepping into cases where clients are facing inheritance disputes, where family tensions are running high, and emotions are raw. My role in these cases is not only to provide legal clarity but to help families navigate the emotional fallout that often accompanies such disputes. It’s not enough to simply write a letter or file a form—I listen, I advise, and I advocate until the matter is resolved with fairness and respect.
I have also spent considerable time working on social services complaints and safeguarding matters. These are often some of the most difficult cases, where families feel powerless against larger systems that don’t seem to hear their concerns. I have stood alongside them. I draft detailed complaint letters, prepare legal bundles, and communicate directly with councils, safeguarding teams, and courts to make sure my clients’ concerns are properly heard.
My advocacy extends to supporting those with disabilities. As someone living with partial sight loss myself, I understand first-hand how frustrating and isolating it can be to navigate
systems that aren’t designed for people with different needs. I have proudly advocated for blind clients and individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities who have faced discrimination in housing, public services, or legal processes. I approach these cases with empathy and determination, doing all I can to ensure that their rights are respected and their voices amplified.
Housing advice is another key part of my work. Many of my clients come to me in crisis, facing eviction, homelessness, or unsafe living conditions. I help them understand their legal rights, communicate with councils and housing associations, and access the support they need. These cases are rarely straightforward, but my persistence and experience have allowed me to secure positive outcomes for countless families who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks of the system.