Let's say you've gone through the trouble of creating an estate plan, made the hard choices about inheritances, and have chosen the right people to serve in important positions. First, congratulations on all your hard work. Second, you've got a little more work ahead of you. When it comes to administering an estate, executors can often spend a lot of wasted time in the early stages if … read more
Articles & Publications
Estate Planning and Safe Deposit Boxes
When it comes to estate planning, some key steps involve the practical details and potential hazards that may arise in common situations. For example, many people own and use safe deposit boxes to keep valuable items. While safe deposit boxes are often a good idea, they can pose problems during the probate process if you haven't taken the appropriate steps to ensure the right people can … read more
Formalities of a Will
While putting together a will might seem like second nature to some, it’s a complete mystery to others. We’re going to go over what the basic formalities of a will are and why they are important to follow. The will must be in writing: By writing, I’m not referring to handwriting. It is recommended by most estate planning attorneys to avoid handwriting your will if at all possible. … read more
Who are Your Intestate Heirs?
When you don’t make a will or living trust, your estate passes to your intestate heirs upon your death. These are the people, usually close family members, whom the law identifies as entitled to inherit from you. So, do you know who your intestate heirs are? The North Carolina intestacy statutes can actually be quite complicated. If you’re married with no children when you pass away, … read more
