"Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late."

Benjamin Franklin

"Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late."

Benjamin Franklin

Serving our Clients from the North Carolina Mountains to the Sea

Probate & Estate
Administration

 

Guardianship

 

Wills & Trusts

 

Trust
Administration

 

Fiduciary
Representation

 

Meet The Partners

Our Partners are uniquely skilled and experienced in their practice areas. We understand the loss or incapacity of a loved one is a heavy burden to bear. Our team helps our clients through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Victor C. Garlock

Partner

Mariah D. McKinney

Partner

Why Do You Need an Estate Plan?

An estate plan involves so much more than just having a will.  Everyone has an estate plan.  Some people have the plan they chose, and the others are stuck with the one State law decides for them.  It is important for everyone to have the estate plan of their choosing!  Many people do not realize that having an estate plan also includes documenting very important choices about who will make health care decisions and manage finances in the event of the loss of capacity to do so during life.  Failure to formalize those choices in powers of attorney often leads to the court appointing a guardian over all a person’s assets as a result of incapacity to manage their own affairs.  Once the court appoints a guardian, the court continues to govern and oversee all of the person’s assets for the rest of their life.  Probate and guardianship are lengthy, expensive, complex, and overwhelming.  Estate planning includes simplifying and minimizing probate even for assets of nominal value.  It also includes planning to help avoid guardianship.