NC and SC Estate Planning and Elder Law Firm

Hurricane season is in full swing and residents of the Carolinas are all too familiar with the havoc that storm season can bring upon communities. In times of severe weather, seniors can be particularly vulnerable as they often have limited mobility and heightened caretaking needs. This is why it is of the utmost importance that we all plan ahead on how we can keep our elderly loved ones safe and secure during hurricane season. Read more . . .

There will come a time when most of us will have to have a very difficult conversation with our parents about their long term care plans. It is a fact of life that, many times, our parents will end up with a need for a level of care that is above that which we can provide them with. When this time arrives, you want both you and your parents to be prepared to make the smoothest possible transition. This smooth transition all begins with talking to your parents about moving to a Read more . . .

When you hear people talking about estate planning, you may associate it with your parents or your grandparents. You may think about it as something that wealthy individuals do to protect their assets and figure out where their money will go after they die. Estate planning is about so much more though.
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As your parents age, you will have to have some difficult conversations with them. One of these conversations may be your growing concerns with their abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle. From the time we start driving, we associate it with freedom, independence.
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It can be a difficult decision, but there may come a time when you are no longer able to give an elder loved one the level of care they need and deserve. This means that you will need to begin the process of moving him or her to a nursing home facility. Even when you know moving a loved one into a nursing home is for the best, it can still be very difficult on you and the person making the move into the facility. Be aware of the things you should do when moving a loved one into a Read more . . .

A personal representative, otherwise referred to as an “executor” or “administrator,” of an estate plays a vital role during the probate process. This individual carries the responsibility of administering and distributing the decedent’s estate. Oftentimes, the personal representative is named in the decedent’s will. Other times, there is no named personal representative of the estate. When this happens, who is responsible for Read more . . .

The executor plays a crucial role in the probate of a decedent’s estate. As executor, the person assuming this position must manage the estate of the decedent throughout the probate process. The executor must inventory and manage property of the estate.
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The United States is proud of our veterans and that which they sacrifice so that our freedom remains secure. That is why there are many veteran benefit programs offered by the federal government and administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The government also recognizes that the parents of veterans have given much to this country and have made sacrifices of their own.
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It is no surprise that life insurance is one of the most commonly purchased financial products in the U.S. The benefits of life insurance can provide critical financial relief in the wake of the death of a loved one. Life insurance proceeds can replace the earnings of a breadwinner or cover cost of burial and unpaid taxes. With all of the benefits that come with life insurance, it is also important to be mindful of some of the potential pitfalls associated with life insurance.
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During probate of an estate, the court oversees the management and distribution of a deceased individual’s assets. Additionally, all outstanding debts of the estate are paid. An executor or administrator of the estate will be appointed to carry out the necessary tasks of probate.
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When properly crafted, an estate plan has so much more to offer than simply a way to distribute assets to your family and loved ones. There is an extensive range of estate planning tools that are often overlooked, but can provide many benefits to those who choose to access them. For instance, a 529 Savings Plan may not be something you would consider as an estate planning tool, but it certainly can be. A 529 plan is named for the Internal Revenue Code section that authorizes them. It is a tax-advantaged investment vehicle that allows for tax-sheltered growth.
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