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North Carolina Intestate Succession: What Happens When You Die Without a Will Dying without a will isn’t just an inconvenience — it hands control of everything you’ve built to a set of default rules written by the state of North Carolina. Those rules may determine who inherits and may have nothing to do with what […]

Estate Planning for Young Families in North Carolina: What You Need Before Something Goes Wrong Here’s the uncomfortable truth: young families need estate planning more than almost anyone else. Most people think estate planning is for retirees with big investment portfolios. It’s not. If you have minor children, a mortgage, and a spouse who depends […]

Estate Planning for Blended Families in North Carolina: Protecting Everyone You Love Blended families are beautiful. They’re also legally complicated, which is why consulting an experienced estate planning attorney with years of experience in estate planning is advisable for blended families, as proper planning can help simplify the process. When you have kids from a […]

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: […]

NC Estate Tax 2026: What Changes When the Federal Exemption Sunsets If you have been paying attention to estate planning news, you have probably heard about the federal estate tax exemption sunset — and the subsequent legislative response. Here is what NC families need to know heading into 2026, especially regarding the estate tax exemption […]

Two Documents. Two Very Different Jobs. People mix up living wills and health care powers of attorney constantly — and it’s an understandable mistake. Both documents deal with your medical care. Both only come into play when you can’t speak for yourself. And both are essential parts of a complete North Carolina estate plan. But […]

How the North Carolina Probate Process Works: A Step-by-Step Guide If someone you love just passed away, you’re probably hearing the word “probate” a lot in relation to North Carolina estate laws. This guide breaks down exactly how the North Carolina probate process works, what to expect at each stage, and how estate planning can […]

Will vs. Living Trust in North Carolina: Which Do You Need? If you’re starting your estate plan, you’ve probably heard the question a dozen times: should I get a will or a living trust? The honest answer is — it depends. Both documents are critical estate planning tools, but they serve different purposes and fit […]