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Protecting What Matters

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Wilmington Estate Planning Attorney

Providing a Soft Landing for Your Family & Loved Ones

Working Closely With Our Clients To

Protect Their Best Interests And Outcomes

When Decisions Last Longer Than A Lifetime

Whether you need a custom estate plan, revocable living trust, irrevocable trust, estate administration, critical need documents or more, Johnson Legal can help as your Estate Planning team. With over 12 years of experience, and a commitment to serve neighbors in the Wilmington area, Shane Johnson and his legal team are dedicated to the delivery of solid, effective estate planning.

Shane’s diverse experience not only as an estate attorney, but also a business lawyer, provide unique insights into the best solutions as your:

Advanced care planning lawyer – for those instances where life has a way of ease when planning is in place

Business succession planning lawyer – when business success might be contingent upon a well-woven succession plan

Estate administration lawyer – because your family deserves the confidence of knowing your estate is being handled with details true to your wishes

Estate planning attorney – with the ease and peace of mind that will serve you season after season of life

Probate lawyer – so the process of resolving legal and financial affairs is handled so your friends and family can proceed in peace

Special needs planning lawyer – because the needs of your family don’t need to be decided by the state

Trusts lawyer – where your lifetime legacy could be protected from harsh taxes and penalties

Wills lawyer – when you need a plan for your peace of mind

Where Service Meets Integrity

Don’t Wait!

You Need An Estate Planning Lawyer Or Small Business Attorney If…

You Have Real Property To Protect Your Children are Minors or Need Protection Your Will or Trust is More Than 3 Years Old You Have Experienced Significant Life Changes You Need a Succession Plan for Your Business You Need Help Forming an LLC or Corporation
The time is now

What Our Clients Say

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Our Process

$199 Attorney EP Consultation
01

Call now and schedule time with our team.

Design Confirmation Call
02

Share your wishes with Johnson Legal.

Sign Documents
03

Johnson Legal will present best outcomes.

Portfolio Delivery
04

Confirm and sign documents.

Shane grew up on a farm in the Midwest, learning the importance of honesty, hard work, and faith. With years of experience in business and transactions, Shane leverages his experience each time he represents a client in a way that is individualized, focused, and effective.

He lives in Wilmington with his wife Jo, who is a registered nurse. Their son Jayson, a recent graduate of UNCW, also lives in Wilmington. Shane is a member of The Bridge Church, and Gideons International.

Wilmington’s Choice for Estate Planning
Shane T. Johnson, Esq.

Cases We Handle

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s face it — you have questions.

Are estate planning fees tax deductible in North Carolina?

No. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ended estate planning expense deductibility as an itemized deduction in 2018 but will expire at the end of 2025. Ask your tax professional.

Does everyone need an estate plan?

Adults all need some form of an estate plan. When turning 18, everyone should have both a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney. Once a person has accrued $20,000 in property, they should have a Last Will & Testament so they can both decide who should receive their property, but also to avoid probate. Further, it avoids dying without a Will (intestacy), which allows the government to step in and manage your affairs.

What documents do I need for estate planning?

It depends on your circumstances, how much you own, what you own, and how you want to distribute it upon your death. Common estate planning tools include: Last Will & Testament, Trust, Financial Power of Attorney, Living Will, Irrevocable Trust, and Health Care Power of Attorney. We provide a consultation to review your unique circumstance and provide several options to protect your property and provide for your family.

When should I begin estate planning?

When you turn 18, you may not need a complete estate plan, but portions of a plan can help protect you, even at an early age. We offer scalable options to fit everyone’s individual needs. Don’t wait until you’re in a situation where you NEED an estate plan.

Is it worth it to do estate planning?

Everyone should have some sort of estate plan, regardless of their age or net worth. A good estate plan can help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die, and can also help protect your loved ones from legal and financial complications in the event of your death. Should you become unable to care for yourself, an estate plan can help inform loved ones of exactly how you’d like to be care for.

The important thing is to get started sooner rather than later, so you can be sure that your plan is up-to-date and reflects your current wishes. Reach out to our office for assistance.

How do I start estate planning in North Carolina?

There are many factors to consider when estate planning, including your age, health, wealth, family situation, and personal preferences. The best way to start is by considering what you want to happen after you die and then working with an experienced attorney to create a plan that meets your needs.

How does estate planning work?

When you create an estate plan, you are essentially creating a road map for what will happen to your property and possessions if you become incapacitated. You can choose who will inherit your property, spell out how you would like it to be divided up, and put in place mechanisms to ensure that your wishes are followed.

You can also use estate planning to name a guardian for your children in the event that both parents die simultaneously, or set up a trust fund to provide for their care and upbringing. Additionally, estate planning can help you reduce or avoid estate taxes, which can be hefty when levied against large estates.

Creating an estate plan is an important step in ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone.

How do I deal with estate planning for my business?

There are some key things you need to think about when it comes to estate planning for your business. First, you need to make sure that your business will be able to continue running in the event of your death or incapacity. This means having clear instructions and structures in place so that someone else can step in and take over.

You’ll also need to think about how your business will be taxed after you die. There are special rules for businesses when it comes to estate taxes, so you’ll want to consult with an advisor to make sure everything is set up correctly.

You never know what can happen in life. The best way to begin planning for your business is to reach out to an experienced estate planner for assistance.

What exactly is estate planning?

Estate planning is the process of arranging for the management and disposal of a person’s estate during their lifetime and after death. The goal of estate planning is to maximize the value of the estate by minimizing taxes and other expenses, and to ensure that the wishes of the person who made the plan are carried out.

Some common elements of an estate plan include a will, power of attorney, living will, healthcare proxy, and trusts. Each element serves a specific purpose in ensuring that the person’s wishes are carried out. For example, a will specifies how assets should be distributed after death, while a power of attorney allows someone else to make decisions on behalf of the person if they become incapacitated. Contact our office to learn more about the estate planning tools that are available to you.

How long does estate planning take?

It depends on the complexity of your estate. If you have a complex estate with a lot of assets, it could take more than a year to complete. On the other hand, if you have a simple estate with few assets, it might only take a few weeks.

The most important factor in determining how long estate planning will take is how much work needs to be done to wrap up your affairs. This includes finalizing your will and power of attorney, closing bank and investment accounts, transferring property titles, and notifying various government agencies of your death.

If you’re working with an experienced estate planning attorney, they should be able to give you an estimate of how long the process will take once they have a clear understanding of your estate planning goals.

Serving Wilmington, North Carolina
And Beyond