Wander the Heart of Hong Kong: Interview with Alfred Ip
“Wander the Heart of Hong Kong” is a powerful initiative that not only celebrates the lives of the elderly but also advocates for their rights and dignity. Through storytelling and artistic expression, the series illuminates the past while paving the way for a more inclusive future for all generations in Hong Kong.
This episode interview highlights the importance of Elder Law in protecting the rights, well-being, and dignity of elderly citizens in Hong Kong.
Alfred Ip discusses the challenges faced by the elderly, such as declining self-care abilities, financial vulnerability, and family disputes, and emphasizes the role of legal professionals in addressing these issues. He shares his personal connection to elder advocacy, inspired by his grandmother’s life experiences, and reflects on his career journey in Estate Planning and Family Law.
Alfred concludes stressing the importance of providing tailored solutions for clients while safeguarding family and financial interests. The episode wraps up with a call to encourage young lawyers to specialize in Elder and Family law and meet the growing needs of Hong Kong’s aging population.
TRANSCRIPT
I was born and grew up in Hong Kong. I witnessed the golden era of the 1970s and 80s. I remember the bright neon lights all over Hong Kong. That bustling and prosperous era is still vivid in my mind today. I feel very fortunate because, in addition to witnessing Hong Kong’s transformation and development myself, my grandmother also told me stories about her experiences of Hong Kong. She was born in Shanghai in 1910 and moved to Hong Kong in 1928. She was a living history book. She witnessed two world wars and saw how Hong Kong changed over the decades. It was her who made me realise the connection between age and wisdom. Elderly people can be a real inspiration to us.
Together with Hugill & Ip, I am very honoured to be able to support this meaningful programme.
Back in the 1990s, I studied law at HKU. It was back then that I developed a passion for law. I started my career in the year 2000 and worked in various fields of law. Back then, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I just knew that I wanted to use law to help people from different walks of life. After working for over a decade, I started to specialize in estate planning and family law. I wanted to use my understanding of Hong Kong and international law to empathise with the families of my clients and help them to navigate estate and inheritance issues.
In a fast-growing metropolis like Hong Kong, the law is constantly evolving, especially laws on inheritance and the elderly. By establishing long-term relationships with clients, I can ascertain the needs of their families and provide tailor-made solutions to complex legal issues. The purpose is to safeguard their assets, family members, and children.
And what’s the best thing about my job? Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with my clients to help them deal with inheritance and family issues and relieve them of unnecessary worries.
Hong Kong desperately needs more lawyers who specialize in inheritance and family law. I will do everything I can to encourage young lawyers to leverage their technological expertise and global perspectives in order to provide outstanding professional services for Hong Kong people.
