Raleigh Estate Planning Attorneys

Estate Planning Services We Offer

Different estate planning tools and procedures serve different purposes. We begin by learning about your goals and circumstances, then explain which options may fit your situation.

Estate planning commonly starts with a discussion of your family, property, and the documents that may be relevant. You will typically have an opportunity to review draft documents before signing them.

Our Raleigh estate planning attorneys handle estate planning cases involving:

• Estate administration: Estate administration involves managing estate debts and distributing property to heirs. If you’ve been named as an estate administrator or executor, our legal professionals can administer the estate on your behalf, so you don’t have to manage the legal details yourself.
• Wills: A will provides legal directions for your possessions and responsibilities after your death. Our lawyers can create a will that reflects your wishes and is prepared for the probate process.
• Trusts: Living trusts and irrevocable trusts can hold and manage property and other assets in ways that may benefit your estate plan. We can discuss these trusts with you and explain how they may fit your goals.

Benefits of Estate Planning

The benefits of an estate plan depend on your goals, property, and family circumstances. The right combination of tools can address several important concerns.

A few common benefits of a well-made estate plan are:

• Minimized taxes: An estate plan may reduce the effect of taxes on your estate after your death. Tax consequences depend on the estate, property, and planning choices involved.
• Probate avoidance: You may be able to avoid probate entirely or prevent lengthy probate with an estate plan that uses different tools.
• Property management: Tools such as trusts can manage property, assets, and businesses when you’re no longer able to manage them yourself.
• Set your expectations: You can use an estate plan to state your wishes in case you become incapacitated. For example, a health care directive can describe which life-saving measures you want performed in a medical emergency and which you don’t.
• Peace of mind: An estate plan can give you and your loved ones confidence that you have prepared for future decisions and unexpected circumstances.

Who Needs an Estate Plan?

Estate planning isn’t limited to seniors or people in retirement. Nearly every adult can benefit from putting clear plans in place for the future.

You should think about making an estate plan soon if you:

• Have children.
• Own a business.
• Own real estate.
• Own valuable property.
• Have special healthcare needs.
• Like to plan your future as much as possible.

We recommend that anyone with children have an estate plan, regardless of the parent’s age. We work with clients at every wealth level, including high-net-worth clients and estates that require careful planning for protection and fairness. Changes in family circumstances, property ownership, or finances can also make it important to review an existing plan.