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Wilmington, NC Estate Planning Attorney

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Wilmington, NC Estate Planning Attorney

Do you ever wonder what will happen to your assets and loved ones after you’re gone?

Have you considered how to ensure your wishes are carried out, and your family is provided for?

Do you want to avoid the possibility of family disputes and litigation due to unclear or incomplete estate planning?

If so, it’s time to take action and create a comprehensive estate plan. An experienced Wilmington estate planning attorney can guide you through the process and help you achieve peace of mind.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact Johnson Legal in Wilmington today to start planning for the future.

What Is Estate Planning?

An estate plan ensures that, after your death, your remaining real property (real estate, trusts, bank accounts, etc.) is distributed as you desire during estate administration.

It can also include leaving instructions about how decisions should be made for your medical and financial needs if you are incapacitated—temporarily or as a condition of end-of-life decline.

While these contingencies can be hard to consider, many people find it comforting to know that their families and assets will be taken care of when they no longer can.

Estate planning consists of many different components, and you should choose an estate plan that works for you and your situation, specific estate planning services, and individual legal issues.

Our Wilmington Estate Planning Lawyers Assist You With All Your Planning Needs

Our team of estate planning lawyers in Wilmington can provide you with the guidance and support you need to protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are carried out in the event of incapacity or death.

We understand that estate planning can be complex, but we have the expertise and experience to help you confidently navigate the process.

Here are a few of our related practice areas.

Wills

A Last Will & Testament (or will for short) is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets after you die. Having a will is foundational to ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and it can also help minimize the risk of family disputes and litigation.

A will can also allow you to choose guardians for minor children and select a personal representative or estate executor. Our Wilmington wills lawyers can help you with drafting wills that reflect your unique situation and preferences, and we can guide the legal requirements for executing them.

Trusts

Trusts are a powerful tool in estate planning that can help you protect your assets and ensure they are distributed according to your wishes. There are many different types of trusts that serve different purposes, including alleviating tax burdens and sheltering your assets from the probate court.

Our Wilmington trusts lawyers can help you determine which type best suits your needs. We can also provide guidance on funding your trust, managing your trust assets, and selecting a trustee.

Probate

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate overseen by your local probate court. It can be complex and time-consuming, but our Wilmington probate lawyers can help you through it and ensure your loved one’s wishes are fulfilled. We can guide the probate process, including identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning involves making decisions about your medical care if you become incapacitated and unable to decide for yourself.

A Wilmington advance care planning lawyer can help you create a plan that reflects your wishes and provides guidance to your loved ones and medical providers. We can guide you on creating a healthcare power of attorney, advance directives, and making end-of-life decisions.

Special Needs Planning

If you have a loved one with special needs, planning for their care and financial needs is important. A special needs planning lawyer can help you create a plan that ensures your loved one is taken care of and receives the support they need.

We can:

  • Provide guidance on creating special needs trusts
  • Identify and access government benefits
  • Select a guardian or conservator

Business Succession Planning

If you own a business, it’s important to plan what will happen to it after you retire or pass away. A business succession planning lawyer can help you create a plan that ensures your business continues to thrive and your legacy is protected. We can guide selecting and training a successor, valuing your business, and creating a plan for transferring ownership.

The Power of Planning: Why You Should Hire a Wilmington Estate Planning Attorney

Are you concerned about ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are provided for?

Estate planning is a complex process, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about where to start.
That’s where a Wilmington estate planning attorney can help.

Our team of experienced attorneys understands the challenges of estate planning, and we’re here to provide you with the guidance and support you need to create a comprehensive plan that meets your unique estate planning needs.

By working with us, you can:

  • Protect your assets and provide for your loved ones. We can help you create a plan that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are provided for after you’re gone.
  • Minimize the risk of family disputes and litigation. By creating a clear and comprehensive plan, you can minimize the risk of disagreements and litigation among family members.
  • Plan for your future. Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone—it’s also about planning for your future. We can help you create a plan that addresses your long-term care needs and ensures that your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care are honored.

At Johnson Legal, we’re committed to providing the support you need to achieve peace of mind and protect your family’s future.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about how we can help you plan for the future.

Johnson Legal: Providing Peace of Mind for Families in Need

At Johnson Legal, family means everything. That’s why we’re committed to helping Wilmington residents and their families with estate administration matters.

Don’t leave your family’s future up to shoddy DIY tools—contact a Wilmington estate planning attorney experienced in probate law from Johnson Legal to provide legal assistance. Call our law firm today to schedule your consultation.

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.

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FAQ: Estate Planning in Wilmington, NC

When should you contact a Wilmington estate planning attorney?

There’s never a wrong time to begin, update, or review your estate planning documentation. If the task is on your mind, now is the time. An experienced estate planning lawyer can help walk you through the steps and ensure you have what you need.

What does an estate planning attorney do?

An experienced estate planning attorney will ask questions about your wishes, listen to the details of your specific situation, and offer different paths to setting up your estate plans.

Once you’ve made choices, an estate planning lawyer will draw up the legal documents and walk you through the steps of ensuring they are all complete and accurate.

How can an estate planning attorney help me?

Creating an estate plan is often a big task that can feel overwhelming. An experienced attorney working alongside you can make the task much more manageable. Estate planning attorneys know what questions to ask and how to match specific estate planning tools (such as trusts and other legal documents) to your wishes.

How much does an estate lawyer cost in NC?

The cost of hiring an estate lawyer in NC can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your estate and the services you require. Many attorneys charge an hourly rate, while others may charge a flat fee or a percentage of the value of your estate.

It’s important to discuss fees and payment options with any attorney you’re considering hiring, so you can make an informed decision.

How do I avoid probate in NC?

There are several ways to avoid probate in NC, including:

  • Creating a living trust — Assets held in a living trust are not subject to probate.
  • Naming beneficiaries — Assets with designated beneficiaries, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, pass directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate.
  • Owning property jointly — If you own property jointly with right of survivorship, it will pass directly to the surviving owner and avoid probate.

Working with an experienced estate planning attorney is important to determine the best strategy for your specific situation.

Who inherits property if no will in North Carolina?

If someone dies without a will in North Carolina, their assets will be distributed according to the state’s intestacy laws. This means the deceased’s property will be divided among their closest surviving relatives, starting with their spouse and children.

Working with an estate planning attorney to create a comprehensive plan can ensure your wishes are fulfilled and your loved ones are provided for.

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