The question I often hear is: “Am I required to hire an attorney to help me with a probate?” The general answer is no. North Carolina does not require an executor or administrator to hire an attorney to assist with probating or administering the estate of a decedent. The realistic answer is probably. The process [...]
Tag Archives: charlotte estate planning attorney
October 26, 2011
iPad Apps Specifically For Autistic Children And Adults
A few months back I wrote a blog about iPad Apps For Special Needs Children. As a follow up to this, I wanted to share a story that aired on 60 Minutes recently regarding Apps for Autism. You can watch the full story on YouTube at Apps for Autism. Although I heard some not so [...]
September 7, 2011
What is a Senior Center?
What exactly is a Senior Center? Since September is National Senior Center month I thought this would be an appropriate question since Senior Centers are invisible in most people’s lives including the very people these centers target as a key demographic. Would you believe, according to National Council on Aging, that there are approximately 11,000 [...]
June 17, 2011
North Carolina Probate “Nuggets”
“We Don’t Speak Legal Advice Here” In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the Probate Judge and cannot practice law. Therefore, the Clerk’s office is not allowed to provide legal advice. As an Executor, don’t expect the Clerk or the Clerk’s staff to prepare accounts or complete Probate forms, or offer assistance [...]
June 14, 2011
So what if I don’t have a Will or Trust in place…big deal!
Many people assume that when a person passes away, that person’s property is automatically transferred to the spouse or “next of kin”. I have had some clients even think that the state takes it all! In North Carolina, when a person dies without a Will, marital relationships, children, and surviving parents may all need to [...]
May 10, 2011
Don’t Wait To Plan For Your Special Needs Child When It Is Too Late
As a Charlotte Estate Planning attorney, I work with parent to make certain their minor children will be protected if the death or incapacity of one or both parents should occur. The care, love and nurturing provided by a parent can never be replaced or duplicated. However, children with special needs or disabilities (regardless of [...]
April 12, 2011
Parents of Disabled Children Should Know The Importance Of Special Needs Planning
Estate planning is incredibly important for all parents, as it allows them the opportunity to make very difficult choices. It provides the chance to determine who will raise your minor children if you can’t, what money will be set aside or used for their upbringing, and even what money will be used to support them [...]
March 25, 2011
PRESS RELEASE: April Is Autism Awareness Month – 3 Key Planning Steps For Parents Of Special Needs Children
April is Autism Awareness Month, which seeks to educate the public about the needs and challenges facing those with autism spectrum disorders. Yet despite the observance, attorney Sabrina Winters warns that many parents of special needs children are still in the dark as to 3 key planning steps designed to protect their child if the [...]
March 14, 2011
Apple iPad Apps Designed To Assist Children With Special Needs
With the introduction of the iPad, applications (also known as “Apps”) some extraordinary Apps have been developed, in particular Apps that can improve the daily lives of children with special needs. Many of these can be found in a Special Education Section of their official on-line store. The iPad itself is now being widely recognized [...]
January 5, 2011
What is a Special Needs Trust?
As a Charlotte special needs attorney, I’m often asked, “What exactly is a Special Needs Trust?” For starters, a special needs trust is legal entity created to hold assets of a person with a mental or physical disability. The trust names a trustee whose job is to manage the assets and distribute them according to [...]