Vail gardner law
Blog
My blog can be a helpful resource as you plan your estate.
Information is powerful when putting together your estate plan. At Vail Gardner Law, I update my blog regularly with helpful estate planning information, as well as updates about my upcoming estate planning workshops and other news about my law firm in Durham, North Carolina.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. It should not be taken as legal advice for any situation. By viewing this website, no attorney-client relationship is established.
The Importance of Naming A Legal Heir
Some of the world’s richest and most famous people pass away without naming a legal heir or with no estate plan. Others have made estate planning mistakes that tied up their fortunes and heirs in court for years. Let’s consider why and how to name legal heirs to best pass your estate to your loved ones. We’ll also look at some painful celebrity estate planning mistakes!
Estate Planning for Special Needs Adults
If you want to leave something for a loved one who is disabled or has special needs, it’s essential to plan ahead. Creating a Supplemental or Special Needs Trust (SNT) can be an essential part of safeguarding their future. Estate planning for special needs adults with a trust can be an effective way to ensure your loved one has what they need while keeping essential governmental benefits.
QTIP Trust Benefits: Solutions for Spousal Financial Harmony
When it comes to estate planning, married couples have a few different options. One popular option is the QTIP trust. But what is a QTIP trust, and how can it benefit married couples? Learn about the benefits of QTIP and lifetime QTIP trusts and see how they can help spouses live in financial harmony.
Are You Sure Your Will Is Valid? How to Execute a Will
After you have written your will, you’ll need to take steps to ensure it’s valid. In North Carolina, there are three types of wills–holographic, nuncupative, and attested written. Each type has specific requirements to be considered valid. Explore how to execute a will in accordance with North Carolina law so your loved ones can carry out your wishes after you’re gone! We’ll also look at ways to make your will airtight and less likely to be contested!
Who Are Your Heirs at Law? Dying Without A Will
When you die without a will, the laws of intestate succession take over and dictate who will inherit your estate. This legal process can be complex and unpredictable, often leaving loved ones with an inheritance far different from your expectations. Find out about North Carolina’s intestate law and how these statutes affect the distribution of your assets. We’ll also look at ways to prevent the intestacy laws from taking over and dictating who inherits your property!
Do Wills Have to be Probated? Write Legally Valid Last Wishes
In the state of North Carolina, when a person dies, their will goes through a legal process called probate. This is the process by which the court determines whether or not the will is valid and appoints a personal representative to administer the deceased person’s estate. If you’re writing your will, you may wonder, “Do wills have to be probated?” Find out how to write your legally valid last wishes. We will also look at when a court probates (validates) a will and see when a court may consider a will invalid.