Help! I’ve Been Named as a Guardian. What Do I Do? 1. Understanding Your Role and Initial Steps When a court names you as a guardian in North Carolina, you gain both authority and responsibility to care for someone who cannot make decisions on their own—either a minor or an adult with impaired capacity. North…
Planning for Stepchildren and Grandchildren in North Carolina Detailed Answer North Carolina law does not automatically give stepchildren or grandchildren a share of an estate. If someone dies without a valid will, the state follows intestate succession rules in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 29-14. These laws name blood relatives—spouse, children, parents, siblings, and more ahead…
Picking the Right Team for Probate in North Carolina 1. Detailed Answer Navigating probate in North Carolina requires more than legal filings. It demands a strong support network. Selecting the right professionals helps you manage each step with confidence. At Pierce Law Group, we guide you through these decisions so you protect your loved one’s…
Can or Should I Hand Write My Will? Detailed Answer In North Carolina, you can write your own will by hand. The law recognizes a handwritten, or “holographic,” will if you meet certain requirements. According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31-2.2, a holographic will must be entirely in your own handwriting and signed by you.…
We All Need a Yearly Check-up: Your Estate Plan Does Too We go to the doctor to get our check-up’s just to make sure that we are in good health and to detect and treat any problems that we may not even have been aware of. These are the very same reasons why it is…
Your Time is Valuable. Let us help you get a jump start on Estate Planning. In the hustle and bustle of life, many of us struggle with prioritizing what tasks to complete and when. I often find myself avoiding those personal tasks that I know are important (but are not currently pressing) in favor of…
Charitable Giving in Your Estate Plan Including Charitable Gifts in Your Estate Plan Charitable giving lets you support nonprofit causes you value long after you pass. You can leave money or property to one or more charities. You decide whether to give a fixed dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or specific assets like…
You’ve Taken Care Of Others, But Have You Taken Care of Yourself? Planning Your Own Estate in North Carolina Many people devote years to caring for family members, yet they delay planning their own estates. Without a clear plan, you risk leaving loved ones to navigate probate court, tax issues, and asset distribution on their…
Things Every Mother Needs to Know About Estate Planning 1. Essential Estate Planning Tools for Mothers in North Carolina Estate planning helps mothers protect their children, assets, and wishes if they become unable to make decisions or pass away. In North Carolina, an effective plan usually includes a last will and testament, powers of attorney,…
What Happens When You Die Without a Will in North Carolina? Understanding Intestate Succession and Probate Administration When someone dies without a will, North Carolina law treats that person as dying “intestate.” Intestate succession sets the rules for how the decedent’s property passes to heirs. The estate must still go through probate, even without a…