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.

Trusts

The Power of Beneficiary Deemed Owner Trusts for Retirement Assets

If you have a large retirement asset that you intend to pass to your beneficiaries in trust, consider updating your estate plan to include Beneficiary Deemed Owner Trusts…

FAQs About Estate Planning

Will or Revocable Living Trust – Which is Best for Me?

One of the first decisions you’ll make when creating an estate plan is whether to rely on a Will or to use a Revocable Living Trust. There’s no…

Estate Planning

Why Is Planning for End-of-Life Care Important?

Many people delay end-of-life planning because day-to-day life takes over, the conversation feels difficult, and there’s no immediate sense of urgency. But planning ahead, before a crisis, is…

Uncategorized

What are the Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust in North Carolina?

A Revocable Living Trust is a tool that helps North Carolina families keep control of their property while they are alive and well, transition management of their affairs…

FAQs About Trusts, Trusts

What is a Crummey Trust?

When I suggest a Crummey Trust to clients, I often get a smile and a puzzled look. “Why would I want a crummy trust?” they ask. Despite…

Financial Powers of Attorney, Planning for Special Circumstances

A Guide to Understanding the Texas Durable Power of Attorney and North Carolina Durable Power of Attorney

This article explains, in plain terms, what a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is, when it begins, when it ends, and what it allows an agent to do.

FAQs About Estate Planning, Questions About Estate Tax

Does Every Estate Have To Pay An Estate Tax?

Most clients I work with voice concern about the amount of federal estate taxes that their families will have to pay after their death. They have heard…

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.

Special Needs Trusts

Special Needs Trusts FAQs: Answers for Parents of Children with Special Needs

If you are a parent of a child with special needs, a special needs trust (SNT) should be an essential part of your estate planning. Without one, leaving…