I’m not certain there are official statistics for this, but based on my years of experience as a Charlotte wills and trust lawyer, a common denominator among my clients that have no estate plan in place when they come to meet me is that it has been too difficult to face their own mortality. They [...]
Tag Archives: charlotte north carolina estate planning
January 13, 2012
Procrastination
Benjamin Franklin once said, “You may delay, but time will not.” We all get busy and we all put things off on a daily basis. Most of the things we delay in getting done, like grocery shopping and getting gas, will probably not dramatically change your life if you get to it on Friday instead [...]
January 12, 2012
Another Reason To Hire An Attorney To Do Your Will Or Trust
Farrah Fawcett passed away a little over two and a half years ago. She had some great legal advice in that she put her wishes in writing via a Trust. Far too often you see wealthy individuals in the spot light pay thousands for a pair of shoes, but don’t ever invest in good legal [...]
January 10, 2012
Estate Planning Presentation – Buddy Kemp Cancer Center, Charlotte, NC
Please join me on January 17, 2012 at The Presbyterian Buddy Kemp Cancer Support Center. Whether you are healthy or ill, wealthy or poor, young or old, Estate Planning does not discriminate. Everyone needs to have a written plan in place. Come find out what steps you need to take to get your affairs in [...]
December 19, 2011
What Is The Difference Between A Trustee And An Executor?
This is a great question and it is often asked at my consultations. An executor is a person named in a Last Will and Testament. This person’s role is to submit the original Last Will and Testament to the Probate Court in the county where the person died and request authority from the Clerk to [...]
December 15, 2011
Powers Of Attorney…What Are They And What Do They Do?
Generally speaking, there are various types of powers of attorney in North Carolina; each with its’ own specific function. Their function is more detailed than I will provide below. However, generally it is as follows… 1. Durable General Power of Attorney: This Power of Attorney is created so that someone can manages finances for you. [...]
December 13, 2011
I Am The Executor. I Don’t Need An Attorney To Help Me…Or Do I?
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 [...]
December 12, 2011
“I Don’t Need A Last Will And Testament.” Are You Sure About That?
I hear this often. And to be honest it is a legitimate question. After all, without really knowing what happens when you do not have anything in writing, how can you really know if you need a Will or not? At every stage of your life there are different things to think about. However, the [...]
December 9, 2011
How To Find Someone To Fill Your Shoes
A big part of the estate planning process is choosing certain individuals to step in and either take over or assist you with certain aspects of your life. What roles are we talking about? Executor (to handle the collection and distribution of your estate); Guardian of minor children (to raise your minor children); Trustee of [...]
December 7, 2011
10 Life Events That Should Trigger A Review Of Your Estate Plan
I know that reading your Will or Trust is not the most interesting reading material you have laying around your house. However, for your estate plan to work it is important that it changes as your life changes. No estate plan should ever be treated as a sign it and forget it document or stuffed [...]