Do I need a trust or will to prevent my beneficiaries from selling the land before they both agree or meet conditions? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a revocable living trust is the most reliable way to keep land from being sold until your beneficiaries both agree or reach set ages, while…
Which power of attorney documents do I need for both financial and medical decisions in North Carolina? Short Answer In North Carolina, you typically need two separate documents: (1) a durable financial power of attorney for money, property, and legal matters, and (2) a health care power of attorney for medical decisions. Most people also…
How can I update my existing out-of-state trust and wills after moving to North Carolina? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an out-of-state will is generally honored if it was properly executed where it was signed or where you lived at the time. Still, the best practice after moving here is to sign…
How do I include special burial or cryogenic trust instructions in my estate plan? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can make legally enforceable instructions for your remains in your will, in a separate two‑witness written directive, and by empowering a health care agent to handle body disposition. Your directions are effective…
Can I leave my condo to one child while splitting the rest of my estate equally? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, you can make a specific gift (a “specific devise”) of your condo to one child and then divide the rest of your estate (the “residuary estate”) equally among your other…
What happens if one of my children predeceases me and I want their share to go to their children in trust until age 25? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if a child named in your will dies before you, the anti-lapse rule usually sends that child’s share to their descendants unless your…
How do I set up co-equal powers of attorney so my two adult children must act jointly? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can name both children as co-agents in a financial power of attorney and require them to act jointly by stating that instruction clearly in the document. The power must…
How can I update my old will and powers of attorney to reflect my current family situation? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest way to update an old plan is to sign a new will with a revocation clause and execute new financial and health care powers of attorney that name…
What documents do we need besides a will to handle health care decisions and financial powers of attorney? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you typically need: (1) a Health Care Power of Attorney, (2) a Living Will (Advance Directive), (3) a HIPAA authorization, (4) a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, and (5)…
How do I designate and update beneficiaries on my retirement and annuity plans separate from my will? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, retirement accounts and annuities pass by the beneficiary forms on file with each company—not by your will. To control who receives these assets, you must complete and keep current each…