How can we make sure the power of attorney and health care surrogate are valid after a client moves to a new state? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a health care power of attorney (sometimes called a “health care surrogate” appointment) that was signed in another state is generally valid in…
What does my parent need to do to authorize this change, and are witnesses or a notary required? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a springing durable power of attorney generally cannot be “edited” to become effective immediately in a way that third parties must accept. The usual fix is for the parent…
How can I set up a revocable trust so the home and land pass directly to a child and avoid probate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a revocable trust can help avoid probate for a home and land, but only if the property is actually transferred into the trust during the owner’s…
Do I need a survey or plat to transfer real estate into a trust, and what if I can’t find one? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no new survey or plat is required to transfer North Carolina real estate into a trust. The deed can often use the same legal description as the most…
If we’re a married couple, do we need separate trusts or can we do a joint trust? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a married couple can use either one joint trust or two separate trusts. A joint trust is often simpler to manage while both spouses are alive, but separate trusts can…
How can I handle my parent’s medical and financial decisions if I live out of state? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest way to handle a parent’s medical and financial decisions from out of state is to have the parent sign the right advance-planning documents while the parent still has capacity—most…
Do both spouses have to sign when moving jointly owned property into a trust if the properties are in a different state? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, yes. If North Carolina spouses own real estate together and want to deed it into their revocable living trust, the safest approach is for both spouses to…
How can we set up a valid will for a relative who has dementia, and how do we know if they still have capacity to sign? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a person with dementia can still sign a valid will if, at the time of signing, they understand that they are…
Should I use a revocable trust or an irrevocable trust if my main goal is Medicaid protection? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a revocable trust usually does not protect assets for Medicaid eligibility because the person who created the trust can typically change it, revoke it, or use the assets. If Medicaid…
How do I transfer ownership of my LLCs into a living trust without disrupting day-to-day operations or contracts? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an LLC interest can often be transferred to a living (revocable) trust by signing an assignment of the membership interest and then updating the LLC’s internal records and operating…
