What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
One reason I chose inheritance law as my career choice was that while studying my Master of Laws (Major in Wills & Estates) at The College of Law in Australia, I experienced firsthand how lost many Executors and Next of Kin feel during the process of obtaining a Grant of Probate in NSW (and/or Letters of Administration) after the death of a loved one. Not only do they have to deal with the heartbreaking loss of their beloved family member, but they also must deal with unfamiliar Court forms, rigid deadlines, and overwhelming responsibilities associated with the deceased person’s estate. Through my studies, I recognized how important it would be for a specialist/probate lawyer to assist families through this difficult time by creating a clear path toward completion of what seemed like an impossible task. With that in mind, I established Empower Probate Lawyers in Sydney, focusing on Probate, Letters of Administration, Estate Administration, and Disputes to help families move forward with certainty.
How is AI changing your business? What changes are you making to adapt?
The use of AI to expedite document reviews, legal research, and repetitive correspondence has changed the way we do business. However, AI will never be able to replace the judgment or empathy required when doing probate work. For example, we utilize AI to assist us with the organization of estate files and to identify any missing documents; however, our attorneys will continue to make the ultimate decisions regarding executor duties, claims against estates for provision for family members, and applications to court. In order to adapt to this change, I will be investing in secure systems, training my staff about the responsible use of such technology, and intentionally setting aside time for employees to meet face to face with clients to have difficult conversations during times of grief.
Tell us about a time where you saw a surprising outcome that you did not expect.
I once worked on a case involving a family provision claim. The family of the deceased thought that they would have to go through a long and hard-fought court battle over the estate, but at mediation, they were able to reach an agreement after only a few hours after discovering from the documentation submitted that this individual had written a short note to their family before death stating clearly what his intentions were regarding distribution of his assets, something none of the other family members were aware of. Because of this, they avoided a trial altogether and were able to keep some of their familial ties intact. This incident showed me that often a mediator can uncover previously unidentified sources or that they can simply be able to facilitate mediation process which can bring resolution to what may seem like a long-standing or irreconcilable dispute between families.
What is a habit you try to stick to and how has it helped you?
Before opening any emails each day, I dedicate 30 minutes to reading all updates regarding changes in NSW legislation regarding probate, as well as recent changes in court procedures and all recent cases decided within the estate. By doing this each day I can identify any changes that have occurred regarding executor responsibilities, will contesting and letters of administration, thus preventing these issues from developing into future problems for my clients. As a result of this habitual practice, I am able to provide families seeking assistance with either probate reseals or disputing a grant with accurate, up-to-date information rather than relying on old assumptions and out-of-date information.
What achievement are you the proudest of and why?
The accomplishment that fills me with the greatest satisfaction is the creation of Empower Probate Lawyers on my own and growing it into an elite level probate law firm servicing the eastern suburbs of Sydney while providing clients with the best representation possible. I am very happy to say that I used my two Master of Laws degrees to become a registered Wills and Estate Practitioner while maintaining an average of High Distinction throughout both of my Master of Laws Degrees as well as being able to leverage the knowledge and experience from both of the Master of Laws degrees to provide real value to my clients who are executors, administrators, next of kin, and beneficiaries of estates that are involved in the probate process. The motivation for everything I do in my life and in business is the satisfaction I feel when my clients are able to successfully obtain a grant of probate or resolve an estate after enduring months of emotional and financial stress.
What is your favorite book and why?
Bleak House by Charles Dickens is my all-time favourite book. This work illustrates that an inheritance dispute can destroy a family even after generations. The ongoing Jarndyce and Jarndyce litigation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing estate litigation to become more about the lawyers and their fees instead of the injured parties it was created to protect. As a result, I am constantly reminded to strive for a probate process that is as clearly defined and complete as possible, while treating all parties involved with respect and dignity.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Rather than dividing my focus among multiple areas of law, I would advise my younger self to limit my concentration on Wills and Estates much sooner. In doing so, I could have developed a higher level of knowledge and skills in the fields of probate administration and family provision claims, which would have provided me with additional years of valuable experience in providing assistance to both Executives and Beneficiaries when navigating the Estate administration process in New South Wales.
Who has been your biggest mentor in life (personal or professional) and how have they helped you?
The mentor that provided me with the most guidance in my professional life was David Nguyen, a lawyer with years of experience in estate law and a tremendous source of support early in my career. He showed me how essential it is to look at family relationships with as much attention as we would give to reading a will. He also taught me to communicate the responsibilities of executors in clear and simple terms, and to view each probate case primarily as a human issue, rather than a legal issue, and that shaped the way that I was able to build Empower Probate Lawyers.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
I will absolutely help lawyers or junior practitioners who are ready to pursue a concentrated practice of probate and estate planning. If someone would like to get a hold of me please visit my website and click on the Contact page and place the word “Mentorship” in the subject line. My staff will deliver this information to me for evaluation.