Cary Estate Planning Attorneys
Make an Estate Plan with Professional Guidance
No one can see the future, but everyone can plan for it by using an estate plan. If you live in Cary, North Carolina, Blood Law, PLLC and our estate planning lawyers are here to help you create an estate plan that works well for your goals. Contrary to common belief, estate plans are not just for the elderly, either. Essentially everyone can benefit from having one drafted by a legal professional.
You can probably benefit from making an estate plan if you have:
- Children
- Adult dependents
- Real estate
- Valuable heirlooms
- Significant financial assets
- Retirement or pension accounts
- Small business
- Specific medical needs
Interested in starting an estate plan? Call (704) 286-0570 now to request an initial consultation.
Importance of Making a Will
What happens to your assets if you die without a will in Cary, NC? In that situation, the law would consider that you had “died intestate,” which means there was no valid will at the time of your death that outlined what to do with your assets, properties, and responsibilities. If this happens, the probate court will be tasked with interpreting your estate and distributing your property based on the state’s intestate succession rules.
Typically, the intestate succession rules in North Carolina include:
- If you have no surviving spouse or children, your estate will be divided equally between your surviving parents.
- If you have no surviving spouse or parents but have children, your estate will be divided equally between your children.
- If you have no children but are survived by your spouse and parents, your spouse will be given the first $100,000 of personal property before splitting what remains with your parents.
- If you have no surviving children or parents but are married, your spouse will be given the entirety of your property that could be passed through a will normally.
- If you have surviving children and a surviving spouse, your spouse will receive the first $60,000 of your personal property before splitting what remains with your children.
- If you have surviving children and no spouse, your property will be split evenly among your children.
- If you have no surviving spouse, child, or parent, extended family members may have a granted interest in the probate process to claim parts of your property; if no extended family member comes forward, the state will inherit your property.
Odds are high that you don’t want to follow North Carolina’s intestate succession rules and would rather set your own rules about what to do with your property when you pass away. To avoid relying on North Carolina law exactly, you should create a will as soon as possible. Not only will this take some stress off your shoulders, but it will also make the probate process simpler for your loved ones after you are gone.
Tips for Preserving Your Property, Avoiding Probate & Protecting Your Heirs
A properly made estate plan is likely your best opportunity to plan for the future and make sure your loved ones are taken care of when you can’t be there for them any longer. With the guidance of our Cary estate planning lawyers, you can find ways to preserve your property from estate taxes that would reduce what your heirs can inherit. We can also discuss ways to avoid probate, or at least, minimize the time your loved ones will spend in probate court.
Four common ways to preserve your estate and avoid probate in North Carolina include:
- Use a revocable living trust to transfer specific pieces of property to the trust while you are still alive.
- Use joint ownership to transfer property like real estate, automobiles, and even businesses.
- Name payable-on-death beneficiaries who will inherit a monetary gain when you pass away without the need for a will or trust.
- Gift property to loved ones and charities to reduce the size of your estate, which may reduce your risk of paying steep estate taxes.
Passing Your Home to Your Family
Currently, in Cary, North Carolina, concerns about a housing crisis are growing. Many people are not sure if there will be affordable housing in the city for new homeowners within the next several years. For that reason, it is more important than ever to make sure that your estate plan includes provisions to pass your family home to your loved ones when you pass away.
Our attorneys can help you pass your family home to your family using various estate planning tools, such as:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Transfer-on-death deeds
- Joint tenants designations
Choosing the Right Cary, NC Estate Planning Lawyer
Estate planning is a personal legal process that will impact your loved ones, possibly for years after you are gone. When you hire a Cary estate planning attorney, you should start by making sure that they understand just how important your estate plan is to you and your family. At Blood Law, PLLC, we take every case to heart because we know what a good estate plan represents and – perhaps worse – how much trouble an incomplete or poorly made estate plan can cause.
During an initial consultation, we invite you to ask us these questions and more:
- How much experience do you have with making an estate plan for an estate like mine?
- Knowing what you know about my estate plan, what would you first suggest I do?
- How will you keep me informed about my estate plan as you prepare it?
- What are your attorney fee rates when working on an estate plan?
Talk to Our Attorneys About Estate Planning
You’re always welcome to reach out to the Cary estate planning lawyers of Blood Law, PLLC. As proud North Carolina locals, we always do the most for our clients who have found themselves in tough spots due to estate planning questions and problems. We’re here to demystify the estate planning process and guide you through it from start to finish.
Contact us online or call (704) 286-0570 to book an appointment with our estate planning lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 704-286-0570 today!
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What is the probate process like in Cary, NC?
The probate process will look a little different due to differences in every estate, but most will follow a fairly uniform step-by-step process. Typically, the probate process in North Carolina will include notifying creditors of the decedent’s passing; inventorying the decedent’s assets and properties; paying debts and taxes using the estate; distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries; and closing the estate.
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What is the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust in North Carolina?
The main difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust that you should know upfront is that revocable trusts are modifiable once created but an irrevocable trust is either not modifiable or is very difficult to modify.
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How can I ensure my Cary, NC business will continue to operate smoothly after my death?
You may be able to use one or several legal tools to smoothly transfer your business in Cary, NC, to a loved one or trusted partner after you pass away. Many business owners use joint ownership agreements, but others use wills, trusts, or even establish a family-based LLC. Talk to our attorneys about succession planning to figure out the right plan for your business.
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How can I protect my children's inheritance?
If you want to securely protect your children’s inheritance from creditor claims and government interference, you’ll most likely want to use some form of trust. Based on the details of your estate, though, a will (last will and testament) could be just as effective and possibly simpler than a trust.
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What is the cost of hiring an estate planning attorney in Cary?
At Blood Law, PLLC, we strive to keep our attorney fees competitively priced so everyone who hires us knows they are getting a fair value for our estate planning services. Call (704) 286-0570 to get more information about our rates, which may be priced hourly or priced per service.
Our Promise To Our Clients
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With 7 offices across North Carolina & South Carolina, we make it easier for families to find quality legal counsel.
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With the complexities of family law, we put the well-being and safety of your children at the forefront of your case.
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When you work with Blood Law, PLLC, you work with our entire team. Everyone is here to support you through each step.
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We create personalized plans for each client while setting realistic expectations on the possible outcomes of the case.
Our Clients Tell Their Stories
These Stories Are What Keep Us Going
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Blood Law, PLLC provided excellent service, demonstrating professionalism and personal attention to detail in preparing a separation agreement. They guided me through the process and answered all questions quickly. Highly recommend!- Debra K.
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Wonderful boutique law firm! Great service along with great communication. I’m extremely grateful for Anna's help in my time of need.- Olivia L.
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I owe so much gratitude to Blood Law, PLLC for their assistance in my divorce. They are very knowledgeable about the law, local courts, and judges. I'm excited they opened an office in Charlotte, closer to Mecklenburg County! Definitely contact Blood Law if you need a caring, dedicated attorney.- Penny N.
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Blood Law welcomes each client and prospective client with warmth and great understanding. From the first interaction to the last, you will be in great hands the entire way. They keep you informed throughout the entire process, and lead with experience. The staff at Blood Law will exceed your expectations!- Former Client
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Anna Blood and her team and phenomenal. They fought for me and my children in and outside of the courtroom. I would highly recommend Blood Law for your any family law issues!!- Liz D.
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Blood Law, PLLC is extremely trustworthy and understanding, perfect for any family law situation you may encounter. Their team is attentive and focused on quick and easy resolutions and doesn’t drag things out just to make more money.- Sean F.
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Blood Law, PLLC is a joy to work with! Extremely talented, down to earth, and understanding, they provide the best professional guidance and protect your legal interests.- Jennifer W.
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Anna really helped me out during a situation that wasn't necessarily easy to get through. A phenomenal, understanding and dedicated attorney, but yet an even better person. I would truly recommend her to anyone that has to deal with any situation similar dealing with family law to mine!- Former Client
Meet Our Team
Over 125 Years of Combined Experience
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Anna N. Blood Founder and Managing Attorney
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Olivia Lowery Senior Attorney
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Alicen Rodolph Senior Attorney
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Genesis Gonzales Associate Attorney
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Trey Schopen Associate Attorney
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Brittney Slade Associate Attorney
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Liz Whitaker Paralegal
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Jehan Al Rifaie Paralegal
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Jennifer Watkins Paralegal
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Helene Carras Executive Director
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Laura McFry Account Manager
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Tatum True Director of Communications
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Hailey Arico Case Manager
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Leigh Hill Client Relations Coordinator
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Lilli Ball Legal Assistant/Intake Specialist
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Morgan Fisher Paralegal
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Lindsay Hanson Client Relations Coordinator