Wills, Estate Law, Probate, and Estate Planning – Durham Estate Planning Law Firm
The attorneys at Hopler, Wilms, and Hanna practice in the area of Estate Planning in Wake, Durham, and surrounding counties. Often, people think about estate planning when they make major life changes, like when they get married, buy a home, have children, are about to travel, or if someone in their family dies. Sometimes, people don’t think about proper planning or don’t get around to it until very late in their life.
Our NC Estate Law Practice
This area of practice falls into three categories:
Without proper estate planning, your wishes about your medical care when you are incapacitated will not be known and don’t have to be followed. Also, the things in your life that need to continue while you are unable to do them are much more difficult to manage by your loved ones. Finally, when you do die, your assets may not be given to the proper people.
With proper end of life planning, your wishes are known by your loved ones and your doctors. Your affairs can be managed by people you trust with specific directions on how to manage those affairs. The assets you spent your life accumulating can go to the people you want. With proper estate planning, you can nominate a guardian for your children, and decide who is in charge of your estate.
At Hopler & Wilms, we take a holistic approach to estate planning in our local Durham law firm. Our North Carolina licensed attorneys consult with our clients about what is important to them and then show them the options available to them in the realm of estate law.
Once someone has passed away, there begins a sometimes lengthy process of administering that person’s estate. Our North Carolina licensed attorneys help administrators, executors, and personal representatives wrap up the affairs of the estates all over North Carolina. They help secure decedent’s property and get information about the decedent’s assets. They interact with the Clerk of Court, they explore ways to abbreviate the estate settlement process. They help with acquiring the property and title changes. The attorneys will help publish the notice to creditors, pay the year’s allowance, file inventories and accountings with the court. They will assist with prioritizing claims made against the estate. The North Carolina estate administration attorney will also assist with distributions and closing the estate.
North Carolina estate administration can be a complex process, even for fairly small estates. Having the help of an experienced attorney can prevent problems, fix problems, and limit liability for the personal representative.
Estate Litigation in Raleigh, Durham, and surrounding areas
While the old adage “blood is thicker than water” is true in many respects, disputes over estates still arise frequently. These can be resolved with the help of a mediator prior to litigation. Sometimes, litigation is inevitable. Will Caveat proceedings and other estate-related litigation proceedings are stressful and complex at times, and having the help of an attorney is sometimes critical in these types of actions. If you’d like to speak with a North Carolina licensed attorney about your estate litigation matter, you can contact one here.
Durham County Guardianship Proceedings | Wake County Guardianship Proceedings
When someone begins to be unable to handle their own affairs, it sometimes is necessary to appoint a guardian to ensure that person’s affairs are managed and that person is receiving proper care. It can be a difficult, emotional process, but our attorneys are experienced with guardianship proceedings.
We can assist with attaining proof of incompetence, filing paperwork with the court, attaining guardian bonding, and representing the interest of the client in the guardianship proceeding. We can also consult with our clients on whether a guardianship proceeding is the proper course of action. If you’d like to speak with a North Carolina licensed attorney about your guardianship matter, you can contact one here.
