Probate
August is National Make-a-Will Month
An increasing number of Americans fail to plan appropriately for the future needs of themselves and their families, both through inadequate retirement…
What Happens if an Executor Doesn’t Do Their Job in North Carolina?
An executor’s responsibilities are legal requirements, and one of those duties is to act in the best interest of the estate. Mismanaging funds, failing…
Avoid a Will Dispute
contest a willAn individual’s last will and testament might clearly reflect one’s wishes, but it does not prevent an estate dispute. Successfully…
Beneficiary Designation Reminder
Beneficiary designation forms are an important way for account and asset owners to ensure the respective assets pass to the individuals of…
Estate Planning Mistake: Forgetting to Fund
Many estate plans include a living trust, a tool that can be amended at any time during the trust creator’s life and…
Title Issues in North Carolina Estates: Joint Tenants
How you title real estate determines how property will pass on. This post addresses the possible issues that may develop with one…
Step-Parents and Step-Children in Estate Planning
Estate planning for blended families is critical to ensure that assets are distributed as intended. A spouse’s family members are not included…
Mistakes in Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations are an important tool in estate planning – one must always remember that their terms trump the distributions provided in…
Locate a Will: Access a Safe-Deposit Box in North Carolina
In addition to in-home fireproof safes, a common place for families to store important documents is a safe-deposit box at their bank….
First Steps for Executors in North Carolina
In most cases of estate administration in North Carolina, an executor is aware of their appointment before the decedent passes away. Occasionally,…
