Winston-Salem Estate Planning Attorney

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the idea of planning your estate? Do you want to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of after you pass away but don’t know where to begin? Look no further than Apple Payne Law.

At Apple Payne Law, we understand that estate planning can be a sensitive and emotional topic. It’s natural to have concerns about your legacy, beneficiaries, and future wishes. That’s why we are here to help.

Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive estate plan, we will work with you to create a personalized solution that meets your needs and budget.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to plan for your future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Winston-Salem estate planning attorney from Apple Payne Law. Let us guide you through the process with compassion and give you the peace of mind you deserve.

What Is an Estate Planning Attorney?

An estate planning attorney is a legal professional who creates and implements plans for the distribution of an individual’s assets after they pass away. Estate planning attorneys have experience in various legal areas, including tax law, property law, and trusts.

Their main role is to help clients protect their assets and ensure their wishes are followed after death. They work closely with clients to determine the best way to distribute their assets to their heirs, minimize taxes, and minimize or even avoid probate court.

Estate planning attorneys can create a range of legal documents for their clients, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. They also advise clients on how to plan for incapacity and end-of-life care.

Overall, an estate planning attorney can help individuals and families plan for the future, protect their assets, and ensure that their wishes are respected. If you need assistance with estate planning, it’s important to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney to ensure that your plan is legally sound and effective.

What Are the Components of an Estate Plan?

A proper estate plan covers four primary documents, each with its own unique purpose and role.

Our estate plans can include:

  • A will Distributes your property the way YOU want after you pass (otherwise, the state’s “default” rules apply to YOUR estate).
  • A power of attorney Allows a person(s) you choose to handle your affairs if you cannot do so yourself (i.e., property, bills, taxes, etc.) due to severe illness or incapacity.
  • A living will (or advance healthcare directive) — Specifies your wishes regarding terminal care (i.e., feeding tubes, Do Not Resuscitate orders, etc.).
  • Healthcare power of attorney Allows a person(s) you choose to make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot do so yourself due to severe illness or incapacity.

Our Practice Areas

Our estate planning attorneys can help you with asset protection and future planning. Some of the main ways we can help include the four primary documents of an estate plan: wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and health care powers of attorney. At Apple Payne Law, we ensure that your estate planning documents are legal and valid.

Additionally, we will create an estate plan that fits your and your family’s specific needs.

Here are some other estate planning legal services we can help you with.

Trusts

A trust is a fiduciary relationship between three or more parties: the grantor, the trustee(s), and the beneficiary(s). The grantor—you—creates the trusts and defines how the trust funds should be distributed.

Once the trust is finalized, the funds become the trustee’s responsibility. The trustee is responsible for distributing the funds as stated in the trust. Depending on your goals, you can designate yourself or someone else as the initial trustee.

Finally, the beneficiary is the person who receives the funds.

Probate

Probate is the process of handling one’s estate after one passes away. Typically, the decedent assigns an executor in their will. The executor is responsible for going through probate, which can include paying the decedent’s debts, handling their taxes, and appraising their estate.

Probate can be time-consuming and expensive, so our goal is to create strategies that help your estate avoid the process altogether.

Guardianship

If you have minor children, then it’s important to appoint guardians in your will. Guardians are the people who will take care of your child if you pass away before they become adults.

Guardianship lawyers can help you appoint guardians to ensure that people you trust will care for your minor children in an emergency.

And More

At Apple Payne Law, we can help you with several more aspects of estate planning, including:

Contact a Winston-Salem Estate Planning Attorney Today

If you need assistance with estate planning in Winston-Salem, don’t hesitate to contact a qualified attorney. Apple Payne Law has a team of experienced estate planning attorneys who can help you create a plan that meets your needs and protects your assets.

Our attorneys can guide you through the estate planning process, from creating a will or trust to setting up powers of attorney and healthcare directives. We can also advise you on tax planning strategies and ways to minimize the costs of probate.

With our compassionate and personalized approach to estate planning, you can have peace of mind knowing that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Winston-Salem estate planning attorney from Apple Payne Law.

FAQ: Winston-Salem Estate Planning

Do I need an attorney for estate planning?

While it is possible to create an estate plan without an attorney, it is highly recommended to seek the guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney. An attorney can ensure that your plan is legally sound and fits your needs. They can also provide valuable advice on tax planning and other strategies to protect your assets.

How often should I update my estate plan?

It is recommended to review and update your estate plan every three to five years or whenever there are major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in financial circumstances.

Why is estate planning important?

Estate planning is important because it allows individuals to control the distribution of their assets after they pass away. It can also help minimize probate costs and ensure that their wishes are followed.

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Contact us below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible!

Kernersville Office

900 Old Winston Rd. STE 212
Kernersville NC 27284

Winston-Salem Office

190 Charlois Blvd. Suite 200
Winston-Salem NC 27103