by Durham Law Firm | May 18, 2021 | Guardianship
If a court appointed you guardian of a disabled or elderly adult in North Carolina, there are ongoing, annual obligations that you must fulfill. For example, a guardian must decide where the individual will live, authorize any medical care, and often manage the...
by Durham Law Firm | May 14, 2021 | Guardianship
When individuals can no longer care for themselves, someone else can file a petition for guardianship. If necessary, the clerk of court will appoint a temporary guardian for the individual. A temporary guardianship only lasts until the clerk of court decides whether...
by Durham Law Firm | May 13, 2021 | Guardianship
If someone you love needs help to care for themselves, a court often must appoint a guardian. However, before the court can appoint a permanent guardian, it appoints a “guardian ad litem,” usually an attorney, to represent the interests of the individual. This...
by Durham Law Firm | May 8, 2021 | Probate
Everyone over the age of 18 has an estate. Your estate is comprised of everything you own in addition to your minor children and pets. It’s crucial to make a plan for your estate before you die. Without a plan, your estate goes through a long court process known as...
by Durham Law Firm | May 5, 2021 | Probate
If a loved one passes away without owning many assets, you may want to settle the estate without going through the probate process. There are many good reasons to skip the probate line and move straight into settling an estate. In North Carolina, you will need to get...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 30, 2021 | Estate Administration, Probate
After a loved one dies, usually a probate court must settle the estate. While most people want the settlement process done ASAP, probate can take between 18 and 24 months. Sometimes probate can last three years or more. Time delays can create unnecessary stress for...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 23, 2021 | Estate Planning
None of us know what our future holds. If you end up in the hospital needing life-saving treatments, how will your loved ones know what to do? Advance Directives are legal documents that tell your family and friends what types of medical treatment you want if you...
by Whoosh Agency Support | Apr 21, 2021 | Probate
The good news is that with some legal help, you can altogether avoid probate for your family. The bad news is that if you don’t make a plan, your estate will go through probate and all of the associated costs when you pass away. Instead, learn how to avoid probate in...
by Whoosh Agency Support | Apr 17, 2021 | Estate Planning
Today many people are using a revocable living trust as the foundation of their estate plan. However, they make a big mistake that sends their assets and loved ones right into the court system: they fail to fund their trust. But how do you fund your trust? Learn how...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 14, 2021 | Civil Litigation
No matter how charmed the life you lead, disagreements are bound to happen occasionally. When things heat up and you need someone to help you settle a problem, the legal civil litigation system is sometimes the answer. When you can’t find a way to right the wrong, you...