FAQs About Trusts, Trusts, Uncategorized

Secure Your Legacy: How Proper Estate Planning Protects Your Retirement Accounts

Retirement accounts often represent a significant portion of an individual’s wealth and require careful consideration during the estate planning process. Designating a trust as the beneficiary of these…

Uncategorized

How to Protect Seniors from Financial Fraud

Financial fraud targeting seniors is a growing crisis, costing older Americans over $3 billion annually. Scammers target older adults because they often have significant savings, retirement funds, or…

FAQs About Probate, Probate

Who Can Serve as Executor in North Carolina?

What is an Executor? An executor, sometimes called a”personal representative,” is a person or entity a testator appoints in a Will…

Intestacy

North Carolina Intestacy FAQs

When a person dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to North Carolina intestacy laws. Below are answers to frequently…

FAQs About Powers of Attorney and Directives, Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives

Who Makes Medical Decisions if there is no Health Care Power of Attorney in North Carolina?

If you become incapacitated and do not have a Health Care Power of Attorney, the North Carolina General Statutes determine who can make medical decisions on your behalf.

FAQs About Trusts, Trusts

Designing a Trust if Asset Protection is Your Goal

Attorney Rania Combs explains how to design a spendthrift trust for beneficiaries if asset protection is your goal.

Intestacy, Wills

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in NC

Attorney Rania Combs discusses the North Carolina Intestate Succession Act, which dictate how property is distributed when someone dies without a Will in North Carolina.

FAQs About Wills, Wills

What are the Requirements of a Valid Will in North Carolina?

North Carolina attorney Rania Combs discusses the statutory requirements of valid Wills in North Carolina.

FAQs About Trusts, Trusts

What is a Crummey Trust?

When I suggest Crummey Trusts to clients, I often get a confused reaction: “Why would I want a crummy trust?” they ask. Despite the misleading name, Crummey…

Estate Planning, Questions About Estate Tax

How Much Money Can I Give Without Paying Gift Tax?

Under federal tax law, the person making a gift (the donor) is responsible for any federal gift tax due—not the recipient (donee). The gift’s recipient (the donee) does…