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Smith Debnam Expands Consumer Financial Services Litigation and Compliance Practice with New Hire - Smith Debnam… https://t.co/qBBjmBQ6yX
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Former District Court Judge of Wake County Michael J. Denning Joins Smith Debnam - Smith Debnam… https://t.co/HLtTWsyFmD
Smith Debnam’s estate planning attorneys represent individuals, couples, families, business owners, trusts and fiduciaries in:
With a well-drafted estate plan in place, our clients can be assured that their estate passes to whom they want, when they want, and is carried out in the client’s intended manner. Working with a Smith Debnam estate planning attorney ensures one’s wishes will be carried out in the most effective and efficient manner so the family will not have to endure difficulties that may arise from not having planned ahead. Some tailored estate plans may include:
Our estate planning attorneys also concentrate on making it possible for clients to maintain control over their health care and financial affairs for as long as possible by planning in advance of disability. This is done through health care instruments such as powers of attorney, living wills and other health care directives. By preparing these documents, clients are able to let their desires be known and to name an agent to act on their behalf and carry out their desires if they are unable to do so themselves. These planning procedures can spare loved ones much hardship and stress during an already difficult time.
An estate plan is only effective if it is properly administered. The estates and trusts administration attorneys at Smith Debnam assist individual and corporate fiduciaries of estates and trusts in matters of probate, estate, and trust administration. If your loved one had a Will, the family will go through a process called probate. If your loved one had a Trust, the family will go through a process called trust administration. Our attorneys guide executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and beneficiaries throughout the entire estate administration and settlement process, by:
If your family has experienced the loss of a family member, our attorneys can assist with legal matters to save you time and prevent losses or missteps from being made in order to preserve the wishes of the deceased and to spare loved ones additional stress during an already difficult period.
“Smith Debnam is comprised of attorneys of excellent legal talent. Work is performed both expertly and timely. This firm is able to address wide variety of legal services. If I find myself in need of additional legal services, I will not hesitate to go to Smith Debnam. “ – Mike Zetts
From our office in Raleigh, we serve clients throughout central North Carolina. To schedule a consultation with a Raleigh estate planning attorney at our firm, call 919-250-2000.
When it comes to your estate plan, there are a lot of decisions you’ll have to make. Read More
Wealthy individuals and families have long used different types of trusts to pass on their assets at death. Properly-structured trust instruments can… Read More
While you may love your son-in-law or daughter-in-law, you may not necessarily want to pass your assets to them that your child inherited… Read More
There’s big news in the tax and trusts and estates world. The U.S. Supreme Court released its opinion in the North… Read More
There is a lot to think about when you relocate to a new state – things to pack, people to inform, and paperwork… Read More
Trusts are popular estate planning tools people use for a variety of reasons including providing for the long-term management of assets for minor… Read More
Powers of attorney serve an essential role in estate planning, giving North Carolinians control over who will manage their affairs during periods of… Read More
At the end of last year, North Carolina Session Law 2017-153 (Senate Bill 569) was signed into law. The law adopted the NC Uniform… Read More
The days, weeks, and months after the death of a loved one can be emotional and stressful, especially if you are named the… Read More
It’s the holiday season…one of the busiest times of the year. So, it’s a pretty safe bet that folks are not spending time… Read More
It is a fundamental principle of law that a Last Will and Testament duly signed and witnessed is binding on no one until… Read More
Mr. James Paul Allen of Beaufort County, North Carolina executed a duly drafted will on August 29, 2002. The will was prepared by… Read More
Divorce and remarriage are common in the United States, and most legal professionals place these issues squarely within the family law realm. However,… Read More
– Will Caveats or “The Family Feud” Part 2 – The North Carolina Court of Appeals continues to publish opinions in Will… Read More
In order to set aside a Will after a person has died, a Caveator (the person attacking the Will) has three courses of… Read More
The North Carolina Court of Appeals on December 20, 2016, issued an opinion in a case involving a Will Caveat that arose in… Read More
We, as a society, are gradually moving away from paper bank statements, jars with money in them, and instructions to loved ones scribbled on… Read More
Administering an estate, especially one with more than just your basic assets can be complicated. On a basic level, an executor must produce… Read More
Hiking across Zion National Park requires a minimalistic approach on what to pack. Since we were backpacking, we would have to carry everything… Read More
I’m not a Boy Scout. No one has ever called me a Boy Scout. Their motto is – Be Prepared! As an estate… Read More
You only turn 40 once in your life, if you’re fortunate enough. When I turned 40 a few years ago, my wife took… Read More
The untimely death of Prince shocked music fans from across the world and served as a sad reminder of the dangers of prescription… Read More
What do Katy Perry, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Faith Hill, Elton John, and Bruno Mars have in common? They all use a different… Read More
For families of relatives with special needs, estate planning may be especially important. Many individuals with special needs are unable to manage their… Read More
The Washington Post recently ran an article stating that approximately 17 percent of people newly diagnosed with HIV are age 50 and older. Read More
There are few things in life that a family law attorney has not heard or seen between clients and their significant others when… Read More
A recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP found that nearly a quarter of America’s caregivers are millennials between… Read More
For many of us, the chances are high that we or someone we love will have to face a long-term illness during… Read More
There are three basic types of Wills under North Carolina law: an attested written Will, a handwritten or holographic Will, and an oral… Read More
In the U.S., children are born every day to unwed mothers. Throughout history, society and the legal system have shunned children of unwed… Read More
In North Carolina, there are several laws in place intended to prevent you from effectively disinheriting your spouse. These laws include the Year’s… Read More
When the US Supreme Court ruled in June of 2015 that a state ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional and in violation of… Read More
Under North Carolina law, if no one can locate your will after your death, the court will presume you destroyed the will and… Read More
Aid and Attendance is a pension program available to honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty for at least 90 days, with… Read More
More and more law firms and financial advisors in North Carolina are touting the benefits of having a revocable living trust. While there… Read More
How many of us have thought about what would happen to us if one day we lost the ability to speak or get… Read More
Medicare and Medicaid are two government-supported entitlements that help senior and disabled citizens pay for things such as doctor visits, hospital stays, medications,… Read More
Did you know that we’re only a few decades away from having the highest number of senior citizens in the U.S. that we… Read More
This question comes up frequently in the context of school-aged children who may live with a grandparent or aunt, uncle, or someone other… Read More
One of my favorite legal quotes is by J.J. Childers: “There’s hell, and then there’s probate.” While certainly not as hopeless… Read More
When individuals finally decide what they would like done with their assets at their death, they will usually consult with a lawyer who… Read More
Thinking about the future is one of the most challenging aspects of life. Planning for the unknown may seem overwhelming when considering the… Read More