NC and SC Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm

A recent article in the MarketWatch advice column caught our eye because it is a scenario we have seen played out far too many times. A blended family is at one another’s throats because one sibling took advantage of her step-father’s poor estate planning in order to benefit her own family. Family disputes over estate planning and inheritances are incredibly common, but largely preventable if you work with an Read more . . .

Have you ever watched the hit period drama Downton Abbey? If so, you have certainly heard people talking about estates. One of the underlying themes that drives the story forward is the search for an heir to the Downton estate. Only a male can inherit, but the Earl of Grantham has three daughters.

In the show, it is clear that the estate everyone is so eager to see settled is Lord Grantham’s title and all of the property and wealth that the family has accumulated for over a hundred years. But the show is set in the early 20th century, and things have changed dramatically since then.
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When we teach our kids about bullies, we tell them that bullies are actually weak. They pick on people because they want to feel better about themselves, so they target the lonely, the weak, and the disheartened.

It turns out we should be listening to our own advice. As our parents and grandparents become older, and we become their caretakers, we must be prepared to look out for bullies. Because that’s what people who abuse our elders are — bullies.

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It’s been months since Hurricane Florence made landfall, but in many ways we are all still recovering from the storm. We have helped numerous clients find and replace lost paperwork, and helped estate administrators manage repairs on properties they are responsible for but don’t live in. We have also counseled families who are trying to figure out how to fix or replace broken gravestones, and discussed what to do when a loved one’s grave has been disturbed by rising waters.  

No Longer Resting In Peace

We all like to think that our loved ones are resting in peace in a sacred space where no one and nothing can do them harm. Unfortunately, cemeteries are often impacted by natural disasters, or suffer at the hands of vandals.
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It sneaks up on you like a thief in the night. It takes without hesitation, not caring what it destroys. It does not matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, urban or rural, it will get you if it can. Opioid addiction is ravishing our nation. 

It is something families can no longer ignore when
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In most relationships there is one spouse that handles the couple’s finances. It’s a natural division of labor because it is redundant to have both spouses sign every check to the utility company. But it puts the spouse who is not the financial guru at a real disadvantage if they outlive their partner. 

We have heard way too many horror stories about a new widow or widower who is blindsided by debt or taken advantage of by someone who steps in to “help them sort out their finances” after their loved one’s death. This post covers a few key actions couples should take, from a legal point of view, to prepare for a future where only one of them is living.
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Shortly after the news broke that legendary actor Burt Reynolds had passed away, sources began whispering that he had also disinherited his only child, Quinton Anderson Reynolds. While it is true that Quinton is intentionally omitted from his father’s will, he was not disinherited.

The Language That Got People Talking 

The language that got tongues wagging after Burt Reynolds passed away is this: “At the time that I execute this, my Last Will and Testament, I am not married, and I have one (1) child, QUINTON A.
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4.9 million acres. That’s how much land the South Carolina Department of Agriculture says is farmed in the Palmetto state.
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On August 16 we lost an icon. Aretha Franklin was not just a phenomenal singer, she was the undisputed Queen of Soul (and Gospel and Rock and R&B). She was a vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement and her recording of Respect was the unofficial anthem of the women’s rights movement.

We will all miss her, but in the same way, we miss other celebrities who pass on. We will feel a twinge of grief the next time one of her songs comes on the radio, but we will move on with our lives.
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The opioid epidemic is ravishing the nation and North and South Carolina are being hit particularly hard. In response, more and more families in our area are drafting estate plans with trusts that prevent loved ones who have substance abuse issues from fueling their addiction with inherited funds.

A good example of how this is done can actually found in Hugh Hefner’s estate plan.
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Estate Planning For New Parents

It may not be the top thing on your to-do list when you find out you are expecting, but crafting an estate plan is something all new parents should do. It is not one of the fun and exciting parts of parenting, but it is critically important.

Decide on a Guardian & Trustee

A lot of people are under the impression that the people they name as Godparents will become their child’s guardians should the unthinkable happen. This is not true. Naming someone a Godparent is a religious or cultural gesture, it is not a legally binding action.

In order to designate a legal guardian, it is necessary to execute a will. In a will you can name anyone you want as your child’s potential guardian. You can also change your mind and name someone different in a new document in the future.

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