Estate planning services
- Wills, which name who receives your property and who will settle your estate, and can name a guardian for minor children.
- Living trusts, which can help some families avoid probate and plan for incapacity.
- Durable powers of attorney, which let someone you choose handle your finances if you cannot.
- Health care powers of attorney and living wills, which name who decides about your medical care and state your wishes.
- Probate and estate administration for families settling an estate after a death.
What happens if you do nothing
If you die without a will in North Carolina, state law decides who inherits your property. That may not match what you would have chosen. A court decides who will settle the estate and, if needed, who will raise your minor children.
If you become unable to manage your own affairs without a power of attorney, your family may need to go to court to have a guardian appointed. That takes time and money, and the person the court appoints may not be the person you would have picked.
Estate planning does not have to be complicated. For many families, a will, a durable power of attorney, and health care documents are a solid start.
Plans for blended families, business owners, and parents
Some situations need extra thought. Blended families often want to provide for a spouse while making sure children from a prior relationship inherit. Business owners need a plan for who will run or sell the business. Parents of young children or of a child with special needs may want property held in trust and managed by someone they trust.
We tell clients the hard truth. If a simple plan fits your situation, we will say so. If your family needs more, we will explain why.
Keeping your plan current
Review your plan after a marriage, divorce, birth, death, move to another state, or big change in your property. Check beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts too. Those designations usually control over a will.
Keep your original signed documents in a safe place and tell the people you named where to find them. A plan no one can locate does little good.
We can review documents you signed years ago, even if another office prepared them, and tell you whether they still fit your family.
Request a consultation
Our office is at 826 N. Elm Street in Greensboro, and we work with families in High Point and across the Triad. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hablamos español. We explain our fee in writing before you hire us. Call (336) 281-2008.
This page is general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result.
Pages in this section
Questions people ask us
What documents should be in a basic estate plan in North Carolina?
Most people start with a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, a health care power of attorney, and a living will. Some families also benefit from a living trust. The right mix depends on your family and property.
Who inherits if I die without a will in NC?
North Carolina's intestate succession law decides. Depending on your family, property may pass to a spouse, children, parents, or other relatives in shares set by statute. That may not match your wishes.
Is estate planning worth it if I do not have much money?
Yes, for many people. A plan is about more than money. It names who will care for your children, who will handle your affairs if you cannot, and who will make medical decisions for you.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it after major life events such as marriage, divorce, a birth or death in the family, a move, or a large change in property. Also review your beneficiary designations, which usually control over your will.