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Australian lawyer Samuel Monkivitch faces complaints over missing inheritance funds
The Victorian Legal Services Board confirmed Monkivitch no longer holds a practising certificate after three complaints were lodged, including one from sisters Charlie and Ruby Nemet. Bank records show nearly $300,000 transferred from the sisters' inheritance account to Monkivitch's personal account between February 2025 and February 2026.
Jul 12, 3:00 PM·1m read1 source
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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The Victorian Legal Services Board confirmed on June 30 that Australian lawyer Samuel Monkivitch no longer holds a practising certificate after three complaints were filed against him. One complaint came from sisters Charlie and Ruby Nemet, whose late father's $372,507.37 estate Monkivitch was managing.
Inheritance handling The Nemet sisters placed the inheritance in a bank account to which Monkivitch had joint access. He told the sisters the funds were being used for legal fees and investments, but provided no invoices or account statements. Charlie Nemet requested the remaining money in April 2025 so her sister Ruby could buy a car.
Monkivitch responded that Ruby did not need a car and suggested walking would be better for her.
A video of one incident at Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant circulated on local social media. Charlie Nemet saw the video after learning Monkivitch was in jail and contacted police in Melbourne. The sisters have not received proof that any funds remain in a Hong Kong HSBC account Monkivitch mentioned. He declined to provide documentation when asked about the funds' location.
