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If you die without a will in North Carolina, state law determines who inherits the property governed by intestate succession. Your spouse does not automatically receive every asset, and a stepchild does not become your intestate heir simply because of the stepparent relationship. The result depends on your surviving family members, whether the property is […]

Estate Planning for Young Families in North Carolina: What You Need Before Something Goes Wrong Estate planning for young families in North Carolina starts with two questions: who would raise your children, and who would manage the money you leave for them? You do not need a large investment portfolio to care about the answers. […]

Blended-family estate planning in North Carolina: include stepchildren, support a spouse, and coordinate trusts and beneficiaries. Explore your options.

Special Needs Trust in North Carolina: Protecting Your Loved One Without Losing Benefits If you have a child, sibling, or other family member with a disability, you already know how much work goes into making sure they’re taken care of in accordance with North Carolina estate planning guidelines. But here’s something that trips up a […]

The Most Common Living Trust Mistake in North Carolina You paid an attorney to draft a living trust. You signed it. You filed it away. You feel like your estate is handled. It might not be. Attorney-reviewed: Reviewed by Ryan P. Duffy, a North Carolina and South Carolina estate planning attorney. Last reviewed: May 25, […]

Estate Planning for Retirement in North Carolina: Coordinate IRAs, 401(k)s & Beneficiary Designations You’ve spent decades building your retirement nest egg. Your IRA is growing. Your 401(k) balance keeps climbing, contributing to your overall retirement plans. And now you’re thinking about estate planning — which is smart. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: […]

Understand how federal estate-tax rules affect North Carolina families, what to review with your attorney, and when