Estate Planning

Charlotte Estate Planning Attorneys

At Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A. our estate planning attorneys counsel clients in the personal and sensitive matters each of us must face—passing control of property and decision-making to others. As your advisors, our lawyers will help you construct a carefully designed estate plan that, both during your lifetime and in the event of your death, makes a powerful and loving statement to those you care for.

You may have a modest estate, may need to make provisions for your children, or may be concerned about preserving assets for your own needs in your senior years and a heritage for future generations. If you would like to speak with a member of our firm, please contact our Matthews office to arrange a free initial consultation. Our attorneys will address all aspects of your particular situation, making use of estate planning strategies that are both reasonable and effective, including the following:

A will: The basic and essential document that provides for the distribution of your assets, including personal property. Your will also can designate guardians for your minor children, or guardianship can be addressed in a separate document.

Health care power of attorney: By having a health care power of attorney (living will) in place, you provide a person you trust with the tools to see that your wishes are carried out in the event you are not able to communicate necessary health care decisions. Under the current HIPAA privacy act, it is necessary for a family member to have power of attorney in order to arrange even simple medical care. In the recent case involving Terri Schiavo, our nation watched as the courts were called on to make end of life decisions that should be handled privately.

Trusts and beneficiary designations: Depending on your circumstances, our lawyers might suggest a variety of trusts, including revocable living trusts, life insurance trusts, irrevocable trusts, trusts to provide for adult children with disabilities, and charitable remainder trusts. Trusts and beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement funds allow assets to pass directly to your designated recipients without the delay, expense, and public exposure of probate.

Complex estate and tax planning: For clients who have family businesses, family farms, or large estates, our estate planning attorneys employ generation-skipping transfers, retitling of assets, gift transfers, and other planning opportunities. We also work with our business organizations group to establish family limited partnerships, to minimize estate taxes and preserve estates.

Business succession planning: Our estate planning group works closely with our business law attorneys in planning for succession of closely-held companies.

Probate and estate administration

For more information, see:

• Do You Need to Make a Will or Change Your Will?
• Why You May Need a Durable Power of Attorney

If you would like to speak with a member of our firm about estate planning, please call 704-844-1400 or e-mail our Matthews office to make arrangements for a free initial consultation. Our lawyers serve clients throughout Mecklenburg County, Union County, and all of North Carolina.

Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A.
Matthews, North Carolina, Estate Planning Attorneys