What’s the difference between a basic will, a will-based estate plan with powers of attorney and medical privacy documents, and a revocable trust plan? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a basic will mainly controls who receives property at death and who handles the estate through the probate process. A will-based estate plan…
What documents should my parents bring to an appointment to update their estate planning paperwork? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the best way to prepare for an estate planning update meeting is to bring complete copies of the current will and trust, any existing medical and financial power of attorney documents, and…
How do I get a durable power of attorney for an incarcerated adult child so I can deposit a check in their name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an incarcerated adult can sign a durable financial power of attorney that authorizes an agent (such as a parent) to handle banking tasks, including…
If the lender requires the car title in my name, can the trust still be listed in some way for estate planning purposes? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, yes. In North Carolina, if a lender requires the financed vehicle to be titled in an individual borrower’s name, the trust typically cannot be shown as…
Will transferring the property or selling it affect my relative’s Medicare or any Medicaid benefits they currently receive? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, transferring a house for less than fair market value can trigger a Medicaid “transfer penalty” that can temporarily stop Medicaid from paying for certain long-term care services. Selling the…
How can I set up a will that leaves my property to my spouse and child and names backups if something happens to us? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, this is usually done with an attested written will that (1) leaves property to a spouse, (2) names a child (or a trust…
How can we switch a power of attorney to a different agent when the current agent can’t come to the hospital? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a power of attorney usually cannot be “switched” by the family or the current agent. The principal (the hospitalized parent) typically must sign a new power…
Does the person granting the power have to appear in person, and what identification is required? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person granting a power of attorney generally must appear before a notary to sign (or to acknowledge an existing signature), because the notary’s certificate is based on the signer personally…
Who can serve as witnesses and a notary for a new power of attorney, and how do I arrange this while living in assisted living? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a new (financial) power of attorney is typically signed by the person granting the authority (the “principal”) in front of a notary…
Will a will protect my home and other assets from Medicaid, or do I need a different plan? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a will generally does not protect a home or other assets from Medicaid estate recovery. Medicaid can seek repayment after death from the recipient’s “estate,” and in some situations…
