This month, Hsiao Law turns ten.
Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith. I was pregnant with my son Asher when I opened the doors to Hsiao Law, dreaming of a practice that would allow me to care for my growing family while serving others. What I didn’t know at the time was just how much that leap would test me, grow me, and shape every corner of my life.
This is the story of how one woman, one baby, and one vision became a decade-long journey of perseverance, faith, and transformation.
2015 – 2016: The Beginning
In April 2015, while still carrying Asher, I left the predictability of a traditional law career to start Hsiao Law. I knew I didn’t want the billable hour grind. I wanted to be present for my child, work with purpose, and build something of my own. But I also had no idea what running a law firm really entailed.
Soon after Asher was born, I faced another unexpected challenge: I became a single mother.
There were moments when I thought about quitting entirely—packing up, moving back to Taiwan to be with my parents, and starting over. But something deeper kept me grounded: a knowing that this journey was mine to walk, no matter how hard.
2016–2018: Building Brick by Brick
Those early years were messy, but meaningful.
There were nights I cried from exhaustion, rocking Asher in the dark—then rose with the sun to meet clients, carrying their fears while quietly holding my own.
Still, little by little, the clients came. Word spread. I leaned on mentors from the New Law Business Model who reminded me I could build with heart, purpose, and vision. I didn’t have to do it alone, and I didn’t have to look back.
And it was during this time that I began questioning the traditional model of estate planning. I saw firsthand how families would create plans, sign documents, and walk away thinking they were protected—only to find years later that assets weren’t properly titled, guardianship wishes weren’t updated, and the plan no longer reflected their lives.
That realization led to the birth of something new.
2018: Planting the Seeds of Lifelong Support – The FamilyCare VIP Program
In 2018, I launched what was first called the “VIP Program”—a new model of estate planning built around ongoing connection and care. Over time, it evolved into the “FamilyCare Program,” and today, we’ve come full circle in renaming it the FamilyCare VIP Program—a name that reflects both its roots and its heart.
This program was designed to go beyond documents. Rather than treating estate planning as a one-time transaction, we walk with our clients year after year—reviewing their plans, retitling assets, updating guardian nominations, and helping them adjust for life’s inevitable changes. We guide families in passing on not just wealth, but values, voice, and wisdom.
Because planning shouldn’t end when the documents are signed—and your lawyer shouldn’t disappear after the binder is handed over.
The FamilyCare VIP Program has become the heartbeat of our firm. It’s how we care for our clients through life, love, loss, and legacy—offering real peace of mind, year after year.
2019–2020: Growth, Specialization, and a Global Pause
In 2019, I took a major step forward in becoming a leader in my field. I studied for and passed the California State Bar Legal Specialization exam—earning the designation of Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, a distinction held by fewer than 10% of attorneys in California.
That same year, I launched the AskMamaAmy podcast and YouTube channel to make legal education more accessible—especially for parents like me who needed clear, compassionate guidance on family protection, legacy planning, and navigating life’s big decisions. It became one more way to reach and serve my community with heart.
But just as I began to scale, COVID-19 hit.
I down-sized my La Jolla office and transitioned to working fully remotely. At the time, it felt like a forced pivot—but in hindsight, it was a gift. I restructured the firm to be more nimble, virtual, and client-focused. I leaned into systems, adapted quickly, and deepened relationships with families at a time when peace of mind was more important than ever.
We not only survived—we laid the foundation for a firm that would soon thrive.
2021–2022: Rebuilding Stronger, Dreaming Bigger
With the pandemic behind us, I returned to growth—but this time, with even deeper intentionality.
I wasn’t just building a business—I was shaping a life. I focused on strengthening our team, creating a supportive culture rooted in compassion, accountability, and alignment. I refined internal systems and workflows, investing in the structure that would allow us to serve powerfully and consistently while creating more spaciousness in my own life.
Family remained my top priority. I dreamed of homeschooling Asher and giving him a customized, values-aligned education that honored his unique needs and gifts. I wanted the freedom to travel, to be fully present, and to live a life where both my family and my clients could thrive.
This was growth grounded in clarity—soul-aligned, life-designed, and led with heart.
2023–2024: A Life by Design—for Me and My Clients
In 2023, that dream came to life.
I began homeschooling Asher while running my practice virtually—spending extended time in Taiwan and traveling through Europe and South America. This shift brought flexibility, presence, and peace to our lives—and allowed us to better serve our clients.
With a fully remote, streamlined model, clients could now meet with us via Zoom, review their plans, and sign documents securely from anywhere. No commutes. No scheduling stress. Just thoughtful, high-touch guidance made simpler.
Through our FamilyCare VIP Program, we kept every plan up to date, every asset protected, and every family supported—year after year.
I saved more. I stressed less. I felt aligned.
And most importantly—I was present. For my son. For my purpose. And for the families who trust us with what matters most.
2025: Celebrating 10 Years
Now, in 2025, I celebrate a full decade of Hsiao Law—and the woman I’ve become through it.
Ten years ago, I was a brand-new mom, unsure if I could build something strong enough to support my family. Back then, estate planning meant drafting documents and hoping they’d be enough. But as I grew—as a mother, a leader, and a woman of faith—so did my practice.
Through every challenge, I learned that families don’t just need documents. They need guidance. Connection. A lawyer who will walk with them through life’s changes, not just show up at the beginning.
Through years of trust administration and probate work, I witnessed how estate plans truly come to life when families need them most. Each experience deepened my insight and strengthened my commitment to help families plan with clarity, care, and the peace of mind that their legacy will endure.
That’s why I transformed Hsiao Law into a holistic, relationship-based firm—where our FamilyCare VIP Program offers more than legal protection. It offers peace of mind, year after year.
Today, I lead a firm that serves hundreds of families with heart and intention. Our clients have a lawyer who knows their story, checks in annually, and helps preserve not just their wealth—but their wisdom, voice, and legacy.
And I get to live my mission every day.
Looking Ahead
To my clients—thank you for trusting us with your most precious people and plans.
To my team—thank you for walking beside me in this vision.
To Asher—thank you for being my why, my joy, and my constant reminder of what truly matters.
To God—thank you for every answered prayer and every challenge that made me stronger.
And to every parent, entrepreneur, or dreamer in the middle of the struggle—please know this: the hard days don’t last forever. Keep going. Your future self will thank you.
With love and deep gratitude,
Amy Hsiao
Founder, Hsiao Law, PC
www.hsiaolaw.com
