Estate, Trust & Probate Blog

Do you have a loved one who recently passed away without a valid will? While this isn’t as uncommon as you might imagine, you will still want to look into hiring a probate attorney immediately. Your family might have to visit probate court to sort out the details, from your loved one’s outstanding debts to the distribution of their assets, and a probate law firm can take these difficult steps with them. Still, this isn’t the only time you should consider hiring a probate attorney. Bringing a will and trust lawyer on board can benefit your family in a big…

When you hear the term “estate plan,” you may believe that you don’t really need one. However, the majority of people have more assets than they think, and the estate planning process ensures those assets end up where they want them to go. Consequently, the majority of people need an estate plan. Because of the complexities that can occur with asset distribution, working with an estate planning attorney is the smartest option for creating this plan. This legal professional can find ways to help you reach your goals for the estate plan. Your estate planning attorney may even give you…

If you haven’t made a will yet, now is a great time. Without one, your assets could end up in the hands of someone you didn’t intend. A will lets you control which beneficiaries inherit your money and how much. Before racing off to make a will, you must understand what qualifies as a valid will in North Carolina. A Wilmington estate planning attorney explains will requirements in detail below. North Carolina Will Requirements North Carolina has several requirements for wills. If you fail to meet any of these requirements, your will won’t be valid. Age and Mental Capacity To…

You’ve found a DIY estate planning kit on the internet, so you decide to give it a shot. It’s free, and that certainly seems to beat paying a Wilmington estate planning attorney to do the job. Watch out, though; that kit might be free, but it can cost you down the road.  Read on to learn about the pitfalls you might run into if you opt to try estate planning lawyer-free. Why DIY Estate Planning Isn’t a Smart Move Estate planning is far more complex than you might think. It might work if you’re lucky, but if not, it could…

When it comes to end-of-life planning, there are understandably many emotions and there can be much stress involved. Dealing with state-specific laws and regulations around different types of documents can make the process even more distressing for many individuals. Let an experienced Wilmington estate planning lawyer confidently guide you through the process. The team at David E. Anderson, PLLC, is committed to helping you by providing you with high-quality care and knowledge throughout the estate planning process. Estates You may have heard people use the word “estate” when talking about end-of-life planning. Essentially, your “estate” refers to anything that you…

Ask almost any fellow adult, and they’ll likely tell you that they’re familiar with the term “estate planning.” If you inquire a bit further, they might even go as far as to tell you that they understand a will is a key component in an estate plan. However, they’re knowledge of this important area of the law may stop there. And, as for probate? You may find that very few understand very much about this process unless they’ve had first-hand experience navigating it on behalf of a deceased loved one.  Our team at David E. Anderson, PLLC want to help…

When you hear the word guardian, you probably think of the person who steps in for a parent when their parent is unable to be there for them. While this is certainly something you can address in your North Carolina will, the guardianship concept refers to something a bit different. A guardianship is a service provided to individuals who allege to be or are deemed incompetent by a judge. And, according to the North Carolina Judicial Branch, the guardian’s role is to serve as a “surrogate decision maker and advocate” for that person, referred to as a ward. Now that…

Estate planning and the probate process can often seem like a straightforward affair, but with the complexity of different types of estates, we see a myriad of issues that frequently arise.  Disputes over wills, trust complications, and other matters can make an already challenging time even more difficult for grieving families. Here, we want to outline some of the common issues we’ve seen over the years and offer proactive measures to avoid them. 1. Ambiguous or Outdated Wills Issue: One of the most common issues in estate disputes arises from wills that are either ambiguously worded or outdated. For instance,…

Estate planning can be a complex endeavor, but it is an essential step in ensuring that your assets and loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. One of the key tools in estate planning is the “trust,” a legal entity that holds property or assets for the benefit of specific persons or entities.  Trusts can be used for a variety of purposes, such as minimizing estate taxes, protecting assets, and facilitating the smooth transition of wealth. For example, if your local library or another institution is close to your heart and you want to make sure to leave…