Concord Estate Planning Attorney

Concord Estate Planning Lawyer

It is imperative that every individual has some form of an estate plan. That way, if something happens to you, your final wishes have been laid out and can be followed properly after your passing. Because you will likely accumulate a lot of assets and belongings throughout your life, creating an estate plan can help to bring you some peace of mind that the people and things you’re leaving behind will be taken care of. If you’re looking to form an estate plan here in Concord, North Carolina, Pinnacle Law is prepared to help.

North Carolina’s Estate Planning Experts

There is a lot that goes into estate planning, and our team here at Pinnacle Law has years of experience working with clients to create estate plans that fit their unique situations. We understand just how challenging thinking about your future can be, which is why we provide compassionate, thorough legal services to assist you to the best of our ability. Whether you’re looking to form a trust or you want to create a full estate plan, our team of experts at Pinnacle Law can help you form an estate plan that makes you feel comfortable and confident about your future.

What Is an Estate Plan?

An estate plan is a plan an individual creates that outlines details such as their final personal wishes, how they want their assets distributed, and the beneficiaries of those assets, so that if they become incapacitated or pass away, their wishes can still be followed. Every estate plan is different and is formed to fit the unique needs of the creator. In some cases, for example, an individual may want to create a trust to put certain assets in until it’s time for them to be distributed. In other cases, the creator of the estate plan just uses a will to distribute all assets.

Some of the most common documents and agreements you’ll find in an estate plan in North Carolina include:

• Last will and testament. A last will and testament is one of the most popular types of wills used in an estate plan. It outlines an individual’s wishes for how their assets should be divided, their beneficiaries, personal wishes such as funeral plans, and more. If a will is used, the executor of the estate reads it during the probate process after the creator has passed.
• Revocable or nonrevocable trust. In some cases, an individual decides to put certain assets into a trust to better protect them until they are distributed. A trust can also help an estate avoid the probate process. When a trust is used, the creator of the estate plan still needs to outline a variety of other details including beneficiaries to their other assets and their final wishes. Many people who use trusts also use a last will and testament to ensure all of their wishes are noted.
• Power of attorney. Power of attorney transfers legal responsibility from the creator to another individual if the creator becomes incapacitated or passes away. This includes handling their financial affairs and important legal decisions.
• Healthcare power of attorney. A healthcare power of attorney is an essential document in an estate plan that gives another individual the right to make important health and medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
• Guardianship designations for minors. If not listed in a last will and testament, all parents should assign guardianship designations for their minor children in case something happens to them.

The Importance of Working With an Estate Planning Attorney

When it comes to planning for your future and the things you love, working with an expert estate planning attorney can be an immense help. At Pinnacle Law, we’ll work with you to create an estate plan that addresses each of your unique needs. From forming a trust to creating a living will, our team is familiar with all aspects of estate planning law and can help you form a plan that brings you peace of mind. Plus, working with a lawyer can help to ensure all aspects of your estate plan are legally binding and valid. This way, when it comes time to execute your estate plan, everything should go as smoothly as possible.

FAQs

Q: Do I Need an Estate Plan in North Carolina?

A: Having a North Carolina estate plan is highly recommended. If you do not have some form of valid will or estate plan in place, the state will then take over the probate process and distribute your property according to local inheritance law instead of how you wish.

Q: Do I Need an Attorney to Make an Estate Plan?

A: While you can technically create an estate plan without a lawyer, having one can make the process much simpler for you. An experienced lawyer can help you figure out the best estate plan for your needs, help you form it, and make sure it is all legally valid.

Q: What Is Probate?

A: Probate is the legal process of validating and executing an estate plan. It addresses all aspects of the deceased’s estate, including paying off all remaining debts and reading their final wishes to be followed.

Q: What Is Considered to Be Part of the “Estate?”

A: When a person passes away, their estate includes everything that they owned at the time of death. This includes any real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, cars, art, and other assets.

Create a Plan for Your Concord Estate Today

It is never too early to start planning for your future. Whether you have children you want to make sure are taken care of or you have assets that you’ve worked hard to get, creating an estate plan is the best way to ensure everything important to you is going to be taken care of properly when you pass.

If you’re ready to start creating an estate plan here in Concord, don’t put off seeing how our team at Pinnacle Law can assist you with your needs. For more information on estate planning in North Carolina or to learn more about our estate planning legal services, contact us today.