If you ask us, a will is one of the most important pieces of paper a person can own. The aftermath of a loved one’s death can throw a family into turmoil. Without a will, it’s even more devastating. 4 key impacts that can happen when someone dies without a will in place are: Loved [...]

Millions of Americans are affected by chronic conditions each year.  In February 2018, the CDC reported the leading causes of death in the U.S. which included: heart disease, cancer, accidents, and stroke. Why is this information important to you? As a Raleigh estate planning attorney, I see many of my clients that are facing situations [...]

For many people, pets are fully fledged members of the family. The joy that can come from having a pet is immeasurable. With this in mind, why not make sure your pet is included in your estate plans so you can ensure their care for the rest of its life? 4 questions to consider when [...]

When pricing out what it would cost to have an estate plan written, there are many factors to consider. We have all heard of the term, “You get what you pay for” and this is definitely an area you do not want to short yourself in. You could start out by doing a little research on your own and understand what the bare essentials of an estate plan are. Not all wills are the same and the amount of detail needed will greatly depend on each family’s unique dynamics.

An Emergency Medical Authorization is a limited health care power of attorney that allows for a caregiver to seek medical attention for someone, in the event of not being able to contact a legal guardian.  This document is known by many different names, such as a “medical release form”.  While the most common type [...]

The death of a parent is devastating, and each individual has their own way of grieving and coping with such a loss.  As if these emotions aren’t enough, then comes the will and inheritance to complicate things. Research from Ameriprise has shown that 70% of sibling conflict arises over issues similar to inheritance, with [...]

A whopping 60 percent of Americans are not prepared with an estate plan if something happens to them.  It is understandable that planning for death is never an easy task, but the consequences that could come from not having a will are much greater. Here are some of the most common excuses why people don’t [...]

In today’s society, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of balancing work life and home life that we sometimes forget what is truly important.  While it is fun to live “in the moment” and enjoy life as it comes, sometimes we must plan ahead for ourselves and those we love. One [...]

One of our areas of expertise at Thornton Law Firm is estate planning.  Having an estate plan is an essential part of being proactive when it comes to you and your family’s future.  Death is not something we can predict, and it is better to have a plan in place than to leave such important [...]