5 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes North Carolina and South Carolina Residents Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Tom thought he had everything figured out. He’d downloaded a will template online, filled it out, and tucked it away in his desk drawer. “At least I have something,” he told his wife. Three years later, when Tom passed away unexpectedly, his family discovered that his DIY will was invalid under North Carolina law—missing crucial witness signatures that rendered the entire...
The Probate Process in North Carolina and South Carolina: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025
When Jennifer’s father passed away last month, she felt overwhelmed by the legal requirements ahead. “I don’t even know where to start,” she confided. “Dad had a will, but everyone keeps talking about probate, and I have no idea what that means or how long it will take.”
If you’re facing the probate process for the first time, you’re not alone....
Revocable Trusts vs. Wills: Which is Right for Your North Carolina or South Carolina Estate?
Mark had heard about trusts from a friend at work, but he wasn’t sure if he needed one. “Aren’t trusts just for wealthy people?” he asked during our consultation. With a house worth $300,000, retirement accounts, and two teenage children, Mark was surprised to learn that a revocable trust might actually save his family thousands of dollars and months of court...
Do I Really Need a Will? Essential Estate Planning for North Carolina and South Carolina Residents
Sarah thought she was too young to worry about estate planning. At 35, with two young children and a modest home in Charlotte, she figured she had plenty of time to “get around to it.” Then her neighbor, just 42 years old, passed away unexpectedly without a will, leaving his family in legal chaos for months.
If you’re wondering whether you really need a will, the answer is...
Common Estate Planning Mistakes: How to Avoid Costly Errors in North Carolina and South Carolina
When Jennifer’s husband passed away unexpectedly, she discovered that their “comprehensive” estate plan had several critical flaws. “We thought we had everything covered,” Jennifer explained. “We had wills, life insurance, and retirement accounts. But we never updated the beneficiaries after our children were born, our wills weren’t properly witnessed,...