One of the great things about creating a last will and testament in Greensboro, North Carolina, is that the document has no expiration date. As long as you make a will and ensure that it complies with all North Carolina laws, your will can last as long as you need it to. Here’s what you need to know. Creation When you create a last will you create a legal document that states your … read more
Wills and Trusts
Probate Problem Prevents Widow From Accessing Savings Account
The probate process is, at its worst, an annoying, time-consuming, and expensive bureaucratic operation that can frustrate even the most seasoned probate lawyer. It’s even worse when the rules and policies designed to prevent problems hinder relatives of the deceased person from wrapping up their affairs. Such is the case with Julia Bolena, a Jacksonville, Florida widow whose husband … read more
Revoking Your North Carolina Will
If you have made a will in Greensboro, North Carolina and have ever wondered how to change or revoke it, North Carolina law allows you several options. While revoking the will is entirely your choice, there are several reasons why you may want to do this. Most people will revoke an old will after they change their minds about its terms or experience a change in circumstances that … read more
Why a Living Trust Goes Hand-in-Hand With a Will
All adults in Greensboro, North Carolina should take the time to create a last will and testament. But just because you create a will that doesn’t mean you can stop your estate planning efforts. Wills are necessary pieces of any estate plan, but they are not capable of meeting all of your needs. At the very least you will also want to create a revocable living trust that will go … read more
3 Practical Tips For Witnessing a Will
Tip 1: Sign everything at the same time. When you create a last will and testament in Greensboro, North Carolina, you will need to be able to sign the document in the presence of two or more competent adult witnesses. To do this, it is always best to assemble everyone in the same room at the same time so all of you can sign the document in one another’s presence. This event is often … read more
Doctors Choose Advance Directives More Often Than Their Patients
Anyone who has thought about creating an estate plan in Greensboro, North Carolina has probably considered creating a living will or other type of advance medical directive. Living wills are very different than last wills and testaments, and address your medical wishes not your property choices. Yet only about 20% of the general population has taken the required steps to create medical … read more
Commonly Asked Questions About Testamentary Trusts
Question 1: What is a testamentary trust? A testamentary trust is one commonly used form of trust, so-named because you create it through the terms of your last will and testament. Unlike a living trust, a testamentary trust is created after you die. Question 2: How do I create a testamentary trust? In order to create a testamentary trust, you will have to provide key … read more
Pregnant in Greensboro? You Need to Start Thinking About Estate Planning
With everything else that comes after learning that you’re pregnant, it’s easy for most women to forget about estate planning concerns. The fact is, most people don’t develop an estate plan at all, much less after they learned they are pregnant. Yet there are some decidedly important concerns you need to address if you’re pregnant, as well as if you’ve already given birth. Appoint the … read more
North Carolina, Common Law Marriage, and Estate Planning
Creating a will in Greensboro, North Carolina, requires you to make some important decisions in light of both what you own and what the law requires. Whenever you make a will you must, for example, consider how much your spouse is entitled to inherit upon your death. This includes whether you entered into a common-law marriage or a more traditional marriage with a marriage license and … read more
Estate Planning Basics: The Differences Between Wills and Trusts
When people in Greensboro, North Carolina want to create a will, they often hear from their estate planning attorney that a trust is, for many situations, a much better option. While you may have heard of a trust before, you may not exactly know how they operate or why they can be beneficial. It’s best to speak to your lawyer about the different kinds of trusts and how you can use them, … read more