Our firm will take the time to discuss with you your unique situation in order to develop an estate plan that reflects your desires. Common estate planning goals include tax savings, probate avoidance, guardianships and trusts for children or others, as well as, ensuring that your assets are distributed and managed according to your wishes.  We will work with you to clarify these goals prior to drafting your Will and, if appropriate, your Trust. Through these documents and other beneficiary designations, you direct where you want your assets to go upon your death.

The most common estate planning documents include:

• Wills. Dictates how your probate assets are distributed and can name guardians for your minor children.
• Trusts. Trusts can be drafted to accomplish many goals including, enabling your estate to avoid probate, minimize death taxes, and allowing you to control distributions after your death. However, North Carolina probate is not as difficult and expensive as it is in many other states, therefore a Trust is not always needed. 
• Durable Powers of Attorney. Appoints the person you want to manage your financial and other matters if you are unable to do so.
• Living Wills. Also referred to as a declaration for a desire for a natural death. This document allows you to express your desire to be taken off life support if you are terminal or in a persistent vegetative state.
• Health Care Powers of Attorney. Appoints the person you want to make your medical decisions if you are unable to do so.   

Please call our office for a free initial estate planning consultation to protect you and your family's future.

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Info for Wills and POAs