We are glad that you found your way to the website of The Potter Law Firm. We proudly provide estate planning and elder law services to our friends and neighbors in and around Huntersville, NC. Our area has a rich history, and we have access to a treasure trove of cultural and recreational activities. As a lake community, water activities are a big part of our culture, and there are many great restaurants, shops, and interesting landmarks dotting the landscape.
Our local connection is very important to us, and we take our commitment to Huntersville very seriously. If you are unprepared from an estate planning perspective, we have an office right here in town, and we our doors are always open to you.
You have options when you are planning your estate. There is no one-size-fits-all estate plan. The best course of action is going to vary on a case-by-case basis.
This is why personalized attention is key. When you work with our firm to put a plan in place, you can be sure that you are taking the correct steps. Your estate plan will be custom crafted to suit your unique situation.
Wills & Trusts in North Carolina
Everyone has heard of the last will. When you plan your estate, you could use a last will to arrange for the transfer of your personally held assets.
Though the last will is the most commonly used estate planning device, there are other ways to arrange for the future distribution of financial resources. In some cases a last will would not be the best choice.
People who are in possession of a significant store of wealth must be aware of possible estate tax exposure. If you have estate tax concerns, there are certain types of trusts that can be used to provide estate tax efficiency. These would be irrevocable trusts.
Irrevocable trusts can be used to protect assets as well.
While irrevocable trusts can indeed be useful for high net worth individuals, you don’t have to be rich to benefit from a trust. Revocable living trusts are used by people of relatively ordinary means to facilitate efficient asset transfers. With this type of trust you can make sure that you are providing for your family without losing control of the resources while you are living.
When you explain your situation to us, we will weigh all relevant factors and recommend the optimal vehicle or vehicles of asset transfer.
Huntersville, NC Incapacity Planning
People often become unable to communicate decisions during the latter stages of their lives. To account for this contingency, your estate plan should also include incapacity planning documents.
Incapacity planning would typically involve the execution of a living will, a health care proxy, and a durable power of attorney.
Estate Administration in North Carolina
Stating your wishes in a legally binding manner is part of the equation. At the same time, you should also consider the tasks that must be completed after you pass away to bring these wishes to fruition.
Estate administration will involve the nomination of an executor if you are using a last will to direct the distribution of your monetary assets. This is the person who will administer the estate.
Your executor will usually need the assistance of a probate lawyer. You could arrange for our firm to guide the executor through the probate process.
Trust administration is a somewhat different process. You name a trustee when you create a trust. This is the individual or entity that will administer the trust after your passing. Once again, your family does not have to go it alone. We can be engaged to assist during the trust administration stage.
Medicaid Planning for Huntersville Residents
As local elder law attorneys, we help people who are concerned about future long-term care costs. Medicaid is the solution for most, because Medicare does not pay for long-term care. You can lose a great deal if you do nothing to brace yourself for these expenses, because living assistance is extremely expensive.
Medicaid planning can preserve your legacy for the benefit of your loved ones and enable you to get the quality care that you need toward the end of your life.
Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney
If you would like to discuss your estate planning objectives with a local professional who genuinely cares about the well-being of your family, our firm can help. To schedule a consultation, call us at (704) 944-3245 or send us a message to get started.
