Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexandria Lighty, Founder of ProbateRight.Com, located in Staten Island, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Non-Attorney, Pro Se Consultants with specialized knowledge of Wills, Trusts, and documents for estate filings. We also educate our clients on estate matters so that they can make informed choices about the legal instruments they desire. ProbateRight.Com is also adept at developing strategies for clients who choose to represent themselves in certain court proceedings rather than have an attorney represent them, which limits their involvement in their court case.
Most people don't know that having an attorney represent you in court means the attorney is the only one who can speak for you on the case. The court won't talk to you if counsel represents you. They won't even tell you your court dates. You must do EVERYTHING through your attorney.
Our customers have assets they'd like to leave for others when they pass away or become medically incapacitated. They also cannot or should not have large sums of money or valuable property in their names but wish to control them.
Tell us about yourself
I studied Law briefly in college but decided to move on to television production. For the last thirty years, I've continued studying the Law as needed. I spent several years as a real estate professional and business owner. After the September 11th tragedy, I was asked to help the widows of a deceased police officer and city worker. I researched and developed strategies for both women that allowed them to move forward with their lives. Since then, I've helped countless families in similar circumstances.
During the Covid-19 shutdowns, I was inundated with requests for assistance with estate filings. So many people died unexpectedly and unprepared. As a result, hundreds of families needed to access assets but could not afford traditional legal representation. ProbateRight.Com provided the information and assistance they desperately needed.
This was published on an earlier version of our website. "The seeds of ProbateRight.Com were first planted after the tragedy of 9/11." Through a member of our church, I was asked to help a widow in a state of confusion and grief after her husband's sudden and tragic loss.
I was known in my community as a real estate professional with a propensity for advocacy. So I worked with this woman for more than a year until she was comfortably established in her new home in another state, closer to her extended family. From then on, word spread that I was the person to go to if you needed a strategy and plan of action to reach a particular goal regarding real estate and probate. In those early days, the work was done for no charge because many of these widows had little or no income immediately after the loss of their husbands. Still, they always returned with a gift to show their appreciation.
With nearly 25 years in real estate investing, education, and advocacy, I have amassed a wealth of information, insight, and strategic ability that often confounds seasoned attorneys. My mentor, a Holocaust survivor and extraordinary attorney in New York City for over 55 years, has often joked about leaving me his law practice so that he and his wife can tour around the world.
Today, after countless and often complicated estate matters, I have focused my expertise and experience in real estate and probate procedures on providing Non-Attorney, Pro Se Consulting Services for individuals who need legal assistance in estate matters. ProbateRight.Com has a growing team of consultants working under my direct supervision who contribute to and approve every court action we prepare.
Our goal and mission are to empower others with the necessary information and assistance to advocate for themselves in certain legal matters. We want to see a decedent's final wishes respectfully honored and executed. This is no more than any of us would want for ourselves. We routinely go above and beyond what is required of us to get the job done, always keeping in mind our mandate: "Leave every client in a better position than when we found them."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is helping others who feel alone, confused, and overwhelmed. For some, Law is scary and off-putting. I help people to understand the Law better as it applies to their situation.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things for me was working all the time. From the time I woke up until the wee hours of the morning, there was always something I had to do. Not having time for myself or my family and friends was daunting. Also, stretching myself so thin risks rendering me less effective at work, which I never want to happen.
Thankfully, I'm now focusing on teaching others so the work can continue, just not all by hand.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear vision of why you're doing it and what you hope to accomplish.
- Set deadlines to mark your progress and stay on track.
- Get help early! Send your laundry, have someone clean your home, get an assistant for 10 to 20 hours a week to run errands, return emails, get your meals, etc. Everything that doesn't have to be done by you then build your team as the business grows. DO NOT TRY TO DO IT ALONE!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://probateright.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandriawhitelighty/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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