Trusts & Estate Planning

We provide a personalized approach to a broad range of clients and needs. We offer a variety of effective estate planning tools and techniques to not only traditional families but also non-traditional families, individuals and businesses. We listen first for our clients' needs and wishes. We evaluate issues relating to estate and gift planning, selection of fiduciaries, transfers of family businesses, life insurance, retirement planning, trusts, charitable giving, health care, education funding and gift techniques. In addition, we provide compassionate personal support and counsel in the settlement and administration of estates.

Proper Estate Planning lays the foundation for the smooth transfer of
assets to your intended beneficiaries. Drafting legal and valid wills or
establishing trusts that accomplish your specific goals (while achieving tax savings) are the primary tools an estate planning attorney will use. But many people also decide, when they do an estate plan, to prepare documents communicating their medical wishes, or giving decision-making authority to a relative. These documents are living wills (or advanced health care directives) and powers of attorney.

Last will and testament

Your will specifies the distribution of your assets when you die. In the absence of a will, North Carolina law provides basic rules of inheritance that probably don't match your own intentions and preferences.

Durable financial power of attorney

If you're completely incapacitated by illness or accident, who's going to pay your bills and manage your finances? The person you name in your durable financial power of attorney, that's who. This instrument not only protects you and your property, it can also spare your family the need to seek appointment of a legal guardian.

Medical power of attorney

This instrument authorizes someone you trust to work with physicians on your behalf when your consent is necessary for surgery or other medical treatment.

Advance directive to physicians

This instrument can avoid painful divisions in your family by giving specific instructions to medical professionals about terminating or continuing life support in extreme circumstances.