Our team has the estate law experience you need to make the best decisions concerning your will.
Here at the office of Robert G. Spaugh, Attorney at Law, we know that you care about your family, and that you want to make sure they are taken care of even after your passing. If you want to ensure that your loved ones have the resources they need after you are gone, then you will need to speak to an estate law professional to help you draw up the right documents. Estate law is a broad category that includes a number of different services, but our team has the right experience to help you with anything you need.
In addition to making, altering, and executing wills, estate law also involves things like estate settlement and powers of attorney. Estate settlement is the process of making sure that someone’s assets are properly distributed after they pass away, and it often gets invoked when the individual in question died without a will to provide instructions on how they wanted to divide those assets. Power of attorney, on the other hand, involves giving someone else the legal power to make decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapacitated, and is a way for you to ensure that your wishes are carried out even if you are unable to make them known due to injury or illness. As you can see, these are serious matters, and our team at the office of Robert G. Spaugh, Attorney at Law is here to give you the legal experience you need to make the right decisions.
We at the office of Robert G. Spaugh, Attorney at Law have been proudly serving the Winston-Salem, North Carolina community for over 30 years, and we want to continue to provide the superior service you deserve. If you are looking for the right team to help you with your estate law needs, just give us a call.
FAQs About Estate Law
At the office of Robert G. Spaugh, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to helping your family navigate issues concerning the drafting and execution of wills, powers of attorney and related documents. We also offer legal assistance in estate planning and estate settlement (whether or not the deceased had a will). We know that working through these issues can be an emotional time for everyone, and we lean on the experience we’ve gained over thirty-plus years to provide you with the best possible service to meet your needs. Over the years, we’ve also been asked many questions about estate law, some of which we’ve answered below.
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What is estate law?
Estate law is a subset of law that handles the financial and legal management of a person’s assets and debts after death. It covers debt settlement, asset distribution, and estate administration via trusts, wills, and probate procedures.
What occurs when a person passes away intestate (without a will)?
North Carolina’s intestate succession laws govern the distribution of a deceased person’s assets when they pass away without a will. This usually means that, according to specified guidelines, close relatives such as parents, spouses, and children receive a portion of their estate.
What is probate?
The legal procedure known as probate is used to manage a deceased person’s estate and transfer their assets in accordance with their wishes or any applicable state statutes. In addition, the will must be validated, obligations must be paid, and assets must be transferred to beneficiaries.
What is an advance healthcare directive or living will?
An advance healthcare directive, sometimes known as a living will, is a legal document that outlines a person’s preferences for medical care if they become incapacitated and are unable to make decisions for themselves. It might contain guidelines for organ donation, life support, and other topics.
Can I challenge a will if I think it's unfair or invalid?
If you think a will is unfair or invalid, you can contest it, but there are legal grounds for doing so. Typical causes include incompetence, undue influence, or fraud. It’s crucial to have legal advice before contesting a will.
What essential paperwork is required for estate planning?
A will, an irrevocable or revocable trust, a financial power of attorney, a living will or advance healthcare directive, beneficiary designations on insurance policies and retirement accounts, and other important estate planning papers may be included. The documentation you require will vary based on your situation.
At the office of Robert G. Spaugh, Attorney at Law, we offer assistance with estate law in Forsyth County (Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville, Bethania, Rural Hall, Walkertown, and Tobaccoville), Davidson County (Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, and Wallburg), Davie County (Mocksville, Advance, Bermuda Run, and Cooleemee), Stokes County (Danbury, King, Walnut Cove, and Germanton), Surry County (Dobson, Mt. Airy, Pilot Mountain, and Elkin), Yadkin County (Yadkinville, Jonesville, East Bend, and Boonville), and Wilkes County (Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Ronda), North Carolina.
