Experienced Lawyers To Manage Your Will and Estate
Will and Estate Attorneys in Raleigh
Entrust Your Legacy to Our Team
Having a customized, professionally drafted will or estate plan can reduce stress on your family and help avoid unnecessary delays and expenses after a death. A wills and estate lawyer can guide you through estate planning so there is a clear plan for how property should be distributed, who will serve as guardian for minor children, and who will act as executor.
Why You Need a Will and Estate Attorney
If you pass away without a will or without a clear legal plan for personal or business assets, your estate may be tied up in probate for months or longer. During probate, the court oversees how assets are distributed and applies North Carolina succession laws. Those state laws may not match your wishes regarding who receives specific assets, who should have custody of children, or how business interests should be handled. Without a plan in place, the court is left to make those decisions.
It is also important to have estate planning documents drafted or reviewed by a probate and estate lawyer. While you are not legally required to do so, working with a lawyer can reduce the risk of disputes later and help confirm that your plan covers the issues most families overlook.
Common Will and Estate Questions Answered
What happens if I die without a will?
When you die without a will in North Carolina, it is called an intestate estate. The probate court appoints an administrator to distribute your assets according to North Carolina probate law.
Assets pass through intestate succession, which means state law determines who receives property and in what shares. In other words, if you do not have a will, the state applies a default distribution plan.
What can I do with a will in North Carolina?
A North Carolina will allows you to name who should receive property after your death and to make specific gifts, including gifts to charitable organizations.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs how property should be handled after death and names an executor to carry out those instructions. In many cases, assets distributed under a will may still go through probate, which can add time and court oversight.
A trust can allow certain assets to transfer without going through probate. A grantor places assets into a trust, and a trustee manages them for the benefit of the people or purposes named in the trust. Trusts are often used to provide ongoing support for a child with special needs, set terms for minor beneficiaries, or carry out charitable goals.
Many people use both a will and a trust as part of a complete plan, depending on their goals and the types of assets involved.
How Our Estate Planning Attorneys Assist With Wills, Estates, and Trusts
Our North Carolina estate planning attorneys help clients create plans that match their goals, family structure, and assets. We draft and update wills, prepare trusts when appropriate, and help families plan for guardianship needs for minor children. We can also assist with documents that address health care decisions and financial authority if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
In addition, our lawyers advise clients on probate and estate administration issues, and we can discuss tax-related considerations that may apply depending on the size and structure of an estate. Our goal is to help you put written instructions in place so the people you care about have clarity and direction when it matters most.
Our Law Firm Practice Areas
Our Raleigh wills and estate lawyers assist with many aspects of estate planning, including:
- Estate administration
- Family limited partnerships
- IRA planning
- Last wills and testaments
- Living wills
- Powers of attorney
- Trusts
Contact Us for Wills and Estate Planning in Raleigh
Protect your family’s future by putting a clear estate plan in place. Our attorneys can help draft and update your documents and provide guidance on next steps, whether you are creating a will for the first time or revisiting an existing plan. Call (919) 365-6000 or use the contact form below to schedule a consultation.
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Phone: (919) 365-6000
Our Office:
200 North Pine Street
Wendell, NC 27591