Why did you choose to specialise in offering legal services to Poles in Bulgaria?

It happened naturally. As it is my father's language, I am fluent in Polish and am a certified translator in Bulgaria. Since my childhood I have been a part of the local Polish community. I grew up with its cultural values and know well the problems of Poles in Bulgaria. My excellent Polish allows me to be a reliable partner to Polish citizens who need help in different fields in Bulgaria by easing communication in the country and clarifying and helping in finding solutions to emerging legal problems.

What is the main challenge of working in Bulgaria with foreigners?

I offer legal services to Bulgarian and Polish citizens and to other individuals from countries outside the EU. Although both Bulgaria and Poland are EU members and to a significant extent their law is synchronised, there are certain differences in our legal systems and the understanding of law. Polish citizens not only have to deal with the language barrier, but also with finding the documents that different Bulgarian institutions need.

What type of cases make the core of your practice?

By all means interest in property on the Black Sea coast and in the mountains has increased in the past couple of years. The clients want to have the safest deal possible, with provided property maintenance, so they focus on in-depth preliminary analysis of the desired real estate. Bulgaria has also become attractive to entrepreneurs who want to expand their business by using the opportunities for establishing a company or buying an existing one, and of the local tax incentives.

Which cases take more time?

In the field of inheritance law, my clients often have difficulties claiming inheritance from deceased Polish relatives whose permanent residence was in Bulgaria. Other Polish citizens seek their inheritance rights from Bulgarian relatives. The process takes time if there is no testament, the heirs are many or live in different countries, but we always have a positive resolution to the cases. Every client should be aware that they can achieve what they want through the rights bestowed on them by law. As a lawyer, I take care my clients to be really satisfied in the end of the case.

Link to the original article-interview for VAGABOND magazine: https://www.vagabond.bg/competence-and-mutual-trust-4048