Having a complete, thoroughly prepared estate plan may be the single greatest gift you could leave for your family. Not only does it allow you to clearly communicate your wishes with regard to how you want your property distributed upon your passing, it also gives you the opportunity to give proper authority to those people you want making decisions on your behalf should you become unable to make them on your own.
No matter what stage of life you may be in, everyone should have at least a last will and testament, a durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and an advance health care directive, also known as a living will. While many people might find the idea of beginning this process overwhelming, an experienced North Carolina/South Carolina will and trust attorney can help you navigate the process and develop a solution designed specifically to accommodate your needs.
At Watts Phanco Law Group PLLC, we take the time to get to know you and your estate planning goals. We present you with a variety of options for reaching your goals, explaining the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with each one. We address each of your goals and concerns individually, finding the best available solution for each one.
Our firm can help you with any aspect of estate planning and probate in North Carolina and South Carolina, including the following:
Wills, including living wills and health care powers of attorney/health care directives
Trusts, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, qualified personal residence trusts (QPRT), qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trusts, supplemental needs trusts, special needs trusts, AB bypass trusts and others
Asset protection plans
Plans to minimize estate taxes
Powers of attorney, including durable powers of attorney, which assist to handle day-to-day affairs
Estate administration matters, including estate and probate administration and probate contests as well as state planning to avoid probate
We represent clients on all sides of all aspects of estate planning. Our clients include trustees, executors, personal representatives, beneficiaries, heirs and others.
Getting the right estate planning documents in place isn’t about checking things off a list. it’s about doing what’s right for your family, according to your values.
At Watts Phanco Law Group PLLC, our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined legal experience helping clients with the decisions necessary to do this planning. We can put a plan in place for you to manage your affairs and provide structure for the future.
An estate plan should always be customized to your unique situation. There are, however, certain basic components that are important building blocks. These include:
Last will and testament — A will allows you to shape your legacy by directing the transfer of your property to those you choose. Please be certain to discuss with one of our attorneys what would happen if you fail to have a valid last will and testament. It can also be used to create guardianships for minor children and operate in combination with trusts you may create.
Living will — A living will, also called an advanced health care directive, provides guidance on what medical care you may wish to receive and whether you may allow revocation of your wishes by your health care proxy.
Health care proxy — A health care proxy, also called a durable power of attorney for health care, allows you to designate someone to make decisions about medical care for you if you become unable to do so for yourself.
Revocable or irrevocable trusts — Trusts are an important estate planning vehicle that can be used to accomplish many different types of goals such as avoiding probate or providing for special needs children.
Our lawyers will listen to your life circumstances and help you craft a plan that makes sense for your personal situation. We will provide the guidance to enable you to make a smooth distribution of your property and create orderly arrangements for managing your life.
It’s always tough emotionally when a close family member dies. You also have to be prepared, however, for all of the many practical details involved in taking care of the person’s final affairs.
At Watts Phanco Law Group PLLC, we can help you take the actions needed to make that happen, in ways that respect the values and feelings involved. Our attorneys have a combined 40 years of experience to draw upon in guiding you through your particular situation.
The steps needed to settle an estate depend greatly on your circumstances. It’s important to know whether there is a valid will and what type of trust arrangements, if any, may have been used to avoid probate.
Our law firm has a comprehensive practice with experience in the full range of issues, including:
Verifying the validity of a will and handling any will contests
Identifying or arranging the appointment of an executor or trustee
Paying bills and making an inventory of assets
Dividing or selling real estate or other property
Handling any issues of breach of fiduciary duty by executors or trustees
Through it all, we keep your personal well-being top of mind. Our attorneys know how difficult it can be for families to make good decisions about these matters while still grieving the loss of a beloved parent or another relative. Let us take this burden off your shoulders and point the way forward.
You can reach us by phone at 910-579-6508 or via Contact Us to schedule your initial consultation. Our lawyers help clients throughout Brunswick, Bladen and Robeson counties in North Carolina as well as Horry County, South Carolina.