Probate involves the legal proceedings required to establish the legitimacy of a deceased individual's will, carry out any wishes specified in it, pay off debt and distribute assets appropriately. This process is often long and rather pricey, especially if other...
Estate Planning
Special needs trusts and eligibility for government benefits
Modern society has a safety net to help those who cannot provide for themselves financially. If you have a friend or relative who has a disability, he or she may rely on Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid or another means-tested government program to make ends...
What are potential warning signs of undue influence?
North Carolina residents often rely on estate plans to know how a loved one wants their assets handled. Unfortunately, if you suspect your loved one is a victim of undue influence, this may not be the case. Undue influence involves a third party exerting their will...
When should I update my will?
When it comes to estate plans, the last will and testament plays an integral role in safeguarding your assets. Dying without a will means your estate will be administered by the court, which may go against your final wishes. While it is crucial to have a legally...
Will my heirs inherit my debt?
Let’s be honest. Very, very few people are completely debt free when they die. As a matter of fact, a study performed by Experian credit bureau in 2016 determined that 73% of Americans will die in debt. It is very likely that percentage is even higher today. There...
Considering digital assets in the estate planning process
There are many reasons to be concerned about the future, as one never knows what it will hold. Thus, the best way to prepare for the unknown is by developing an estate plan. The estate planning process causes one to considered various future scenarios and take the...
Should you consider a trust for your estate plan?
These days many North Carolina residents are thinking about finally getting an estate plan in order and, understandably, those individuals and families have many questions about the process. The perceived mystery and wealth of estate planning options are, after all,...
Be sure to modify your estate plan to avoid unwanted outcomes
For most individuals, it takes a lot of work to muster up the motivation to create an estate plan. After all, a lot of people find it difficult to think about death and their family moving on without them. These feelings are completely normal. Yet, in our experience...
Talking to family about estate planning
Talking about estate planning can be hard for families in North Carolina, but it is important to do so before a health crisis occurs. Parents can start early, discussing their values and how to manage money with their children when they are young.Some people may want...
Health care estate planning tools for the young
College students in North Carolina and around the country may feel that they have little need to worry about estate planning, but this type of thinking can cause real problems in an emergency situation. While young people are unlikely to have accumulated enough assets...