Very few people think about inheritance and probate until someone they love has passed away. Jølstad Arvehjelp supports people at precisely this point, and the department has now expanded from one to three lawyers. Karianne Warp and Leila Rasthe have joined the team following a recruitment process managed by Sperton Norway.
A first-of-its-kind service
Jølstad is the only nationwide funeral home in Norway to offer its own inheritance support service staffed by lawyers. The inheritance support service assists bereaved families with inheritance, estate administration and the estate of the deceased, combining legal advice with practical implementation.
At the same time, it is a service that differs from standard legal advice. Clients do not get in touch because they are curious about inheritance law. They get in touch because someone they love has passed away, and because there are documents, deadlines and decisions waiting for them in the midst of their grief. In such situations, the job is as much about slowing things down, explaining calmly and giving people something solid to hold on to, as it is about knowing the law.
This is what makes recruitment at Jølstad different. Professional expertise is a prerequisite, but it alone is not enough. Candidates must be able to stand by others in their grief over time, without becoming indifferent and without taking it home with them every evening.
The department is growing, and the volume of work has increased since it was set up. Going from one to three lawyers is a major step for a service that is still new to the market.
“We’re building something that hasn’t been done in Norway before. Our clients are people who have just lost a loved one, and they deserve to meet someone who not only knows their field but can also be warm and supportive during a difficult conversation. With Karianne and Leila, we’ve got both.” — William Aas, Head of Department at Jølstad Arvehjelp
About the process
The recruitment process was carried out in two rounds, the first starting in April and the second in June. Sperton was responsible for the entire process. Jølstad conducted its own interviews with the shortlisted candidates, including case studies based on real-life issues encountered in day-to-day work.
The requirements were clear from the outset: a Master’s degree in law, the ability to manage cases independently from start to finish, and the confidence in client interactions needed to handle challenging conversations. In addition, we were keen to assess how candidates actually interact with people going through difficult times, and how they look after their own wellbeing over time in such a role.
The new lawyers
Karianne Warp holds a law degree from the University of Oslo and has around 15 years’ experience in legal consultancy, including as a solicitor. She has worked extensively with property, land registration and the organisation of ownership structures – in other words, cases where the task is to establish what actually applies, clarify any ambiguities and ensure the formalities are in order. She is used to explaining the law in a way that people can understand, and to handling the practicalities for clients who have not been through such a process before.
“What made this job interesting to me is the combination of law and people. People come to us at a time when they are exhausted and distressed, and so it means a great deal to be able to take care of the practicalities for them. At the same time, I get to help build something from the ground up.” — Karianne Warp, lawyer at Jølstad Arvehjelp
Leila Rasthe holds a Master of Laws (cand.jur) from the University of Tromsø and has extensive experience as an adviser and negotiator, particularly in the field of employment law. Throughout her career, she has assisted individuals in cases that mean a great deal to them, and she also has further training in conflict resolution and mediation. She is confident in challenging conversations where emotions run high, and is accustomed to handling cases from start to finish.
“I have worked extensively in advisory services and conflict resolution, and it is largely about creating a sense of security. Here, you meet people who are grieving, and in such situations, patience and warmth are just as important as the legal aspects.” — Leila Rasthe, solicitor at Jølstad Arvehjelp
Continued collaboration
Sperton and Jølstad have worked well together throughout the process. There has been close dialogue along the way, feedback has been prompt, and we have shared a common understanding of what the roles actually entail. This made it possible to be clear with the candidates from the very first interview, and that is often the difference between a process that runs smoothly and one that drags on.
Arvehjelp is a concept we find exciting. It meets a real need for many families, in a situation where very few have a clear idea of what needs to be done or the energy to get to grips with it. The fact that Jølstad is the first in Norway to offer such a service, and is building it up with lawyers who possess both professional expertise and the ability to support people in mourning, speaks volumes about the firm’s level of ambition.
We look forward to following its further development and to continuing our collaboration as the department grows.