There are many reasons to create an estate plan sooner rather than later. Not only can this plan ensure your loved ones are cared for in the future, but it can also provide you with peace of mind moving forward. Developing these plans is possible with the help of an attorney at our firm.
Serious risks come with doing your own estate planning. Even one mistake in your legal documents could upend your plan and make things difficult for your heirs. A North Carolina estate planning lawyer can listen to your concerns and help you develop a plan that meets your needs.
Not every estate plan is alike. There are countless tools at the disposal of an estate planning attorney in North Carolina, but not all of them are appropriate in every scenario. Some of the estate planning tools that could be useful include the following:
This legal document is the basic building block of estate planning. For some people, a will is the only tool they use. For others, it is the starting point for a complex plan that includes trusts and other documents. The last will and testament directs a probate court to distribute the assets of an estate in the way the will creator chose.
Trusts are another common estate planning tool. They can be useful for avoiding the costs and delays that come with probate court. A person can transfer ownership of their assets to the trust, removing the need for those assets to go through probate. The trustees then distribute those assets directly after the creator passes away.
Healthcare powers of attorney are different from last wills and testaments. Instead of directing how to distribute a person’s assets after their passing, this document gives medical directives when they are not able to make their own medical decisions. A healthcare power of attorney can explain the kind of care a person wants or does not want, depending on the circumstances.
The work of a lawyer in North Carolina goes beyond drafting appropriate estate planning documents. They can assist with every aspect of the process, from identifying a person’s needs to ensuring the plan comes together.
First and foremost, an attorney can answer questions about the estate planning process. This means providing information about the available options, the tax consequences, and the benefits of developing an estate plan.
An attorney can also assist with designating beneficiaries. Determining who is going to benefit from an estate plan is important. It is also not a step a person can take once and forget. A lawyer can make sure beneficiary information remains updated at all times.
Parks Zeigler, PLLC, can do the heavy lifting when crafting appropriate estate planning documents. This might start with a last will and testament but can include many tools and documentation.
It is never a good idea to go into the estate planning process on your own. A single mistake in a trust document or will can frustrate your plans or even render your entire estate plan invalid. Call to learn how a North Carolina estate planning lawyer can ensure your plan goes into effect. We can help you understand the best tools for your needs.
Centrally located on the waterfront in downtown Elizabeth City, our team provides quality legal representation across the following counties in the Northeast North Carolina region.
Also serving only criminal and traffic cases in the following counties:
Parks Zeigler, PLLC – Attorneys At Law
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