Happy New Year, friends! For many people in Raleigh, the start of a new year is time to take a look at their life and set some resolutions. Sadly, estate planning doesn’t make the list as often as it should. Here are four reasons that estate planning should be part of your new year’s [...]
As we start getting ready for the holiday season in Raleigh, many of us are at a loss as to what to give after such an unusual year. While estate planning may not be the first gift idea on your list, we think it might be the perfect gift for loved ones. Here are [...]
As estate law experts in central North Carolina, we’re often asked if having an estate plan is really worth it. Most people think that estate plans are for the mega-rich, not for everyday people like themselves. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, those who don’t have excess resources could be leaving [...]
When a loved one dies, it sends everyone into shock! This is true even when the death was expected. Those who plan appropriately and communicate with loved ones what their wishes are and what they want to happen to their estate leave their loved ones with a little more peace. However, things can get [...]
There are many reasons why committed couples choose not to legally marry, but by not doing so, they may be leaving their spouse without the inheritance they intend to leave. This is especially true in North Carolina since North Carolina does not recognize common law marriage. Therefore, it’s important for these couples to think [...]
Believe it or not, it’s almost time for another election. This year has had so much going on that an election seems to be far from many people’s minds. However, the people we elect (especially at the local level) will have a significant impact on our community. Voting is the best way citizens have [...]
Our Raleigh-area clients often ask us whether a power of attorney is vital. In a word, yes. A power of attorney gives a person the power to make decisions on behalf of someone else and can be very important for many reasons. Here are three instances where a power of attorney is vital: College-aged [...]
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (or Secure Act) went into effect in December of 2019, affecting how people here in Raleigh can invest in retirement accounts. These changes in how people fund retirement also affect their estate plans, since retirement savings are part of a person’s assets. Here are four [...]
Estate planning can be a bit of an emotional process. Facing one’s mortality, hashing out family dynamics, and setting one’s legacy can be more taxing than people think. This is why finding the right estate lawyer for a person’s unique situation is important. In the Raleigh-Durham area, there are many lawyers to choose from, [...]
When deciding on an estate plan, many of our clients in Raleigh and Durham, NC aren’t too familiar with the differences between wills and trusts, so it’s difficult to decide which might be best for their specific situation. How our estate is dispersed is part of the legacy we leave our loved ones, so [...]