Comprehensive Legal Assistance For Your North Carolina Estate Planning And Probate
At Surratt and Thompson, PLLC, our estate planning attorneys offer comprehensive and reliable legal assistance to the local Winston-Salem community regarding estate planning and probate matters. We consider our clients a part of our family. As such, we are diligent in making sure you and your loved ones are well-taken care of through top-quality legal services and guidance. Contact us today to learn more.
Our Estate Planning Services
Trusts
A trust is a relationship wherein one party (trustor) will allow another party (trustee) to hold the title to assets or property on behalf of a third party (beneficiary). Trusts are common when the beneficiary is too young to properly hold assets or property, so a trustee is left to manage the assets until the beneficiary can inherit them. Trusts can also reduce the amount taken by estate taxes.
Our attorneys can help you draft a trust so your wishes are carried out after you’ve passed away. We can also help trustees carry out the directives of the trustor properly until the assets/property is transferred to the beneficiary.
Medical Advance Directives
Estate planning does not end with just a will or trust. Medical advance directives (also known as a living will) allow a person to make provisions for health care decisions in the event that they are unable to make decisions themselves. Powers of Attorney protect against the consequences of an unforeseen incapacitating injury or illness. Both are essential in protecting your family from having to make difficult decisions regarding your well-being.
We strive to provide wills and trusts that are tailored to the particular needs and desires of our clients. Everyone deserves experienced and knowledgeable representation, that is why we offer our legal expertise to the Winston-Salem community.
Why You Should Trust A Proven Estate Administration Attorney
Estate planning requires an experienced attorney to protect your assets for the ones you love. A well-developed estate plan allows survivors to have financial security and peace of mind. Our estate planning attorneys alleviate potential distress by offering legal assistance. We are able to prepare estate plans, minimizing any potentially adverse consequences as a result of tax and domestic laws. We are up to date on the changes in Federal and State laws which can impact property transfers.
How We Help You Plan Ahead
Estate planning refers to planning in advance how your assets will be handled following your death. This can include everything from small, individual items to land and business assets.
Our estate planning attorneys assist individuals and families by providing a wide range of estate planning and administration services, accommodating the specific needs of each client. From basic estate plans to the development of wealth transfer strategies, we have the necessary experience to assist each client with their unique legal needs.
Our law firm provides a wide variety of estate planning and estate administration services to individuals and to corporate trust departments.
Probate
In addition to estate planning, we provide competent and efficient legal assistance in the settlement and administration of trusts and decedents’ estates. We also provide representation for heirs and spouses, when they are not the fiduciary, ensuring they receive what they are entitled to under the law or will.
We can assist fiduciaries or personal representatives in the legal process of administering an estate or trust including:
- Assisting in the qualification process before the Clerk of Superior Court
- Preparing and filing court accountings
- Receiving and transferring assets
- Satisfying debts and claims
- Distributing the estate or trust according to the will, trust instrument, or State law
- Preparing and filing of the necessary federal and state tax returns
Every effort is made to provide such services in a clear and cost-effective manner. Our estate administration attorneys know how confusing and stressful the process can be, so we try to provide clear explanations and assistance every step of the way.
Contact Our Firm To Get Started
Surratt and Thompson, PLLC, has a well-established and respected probate court practice experienced in administering estates, trusts, and guardianships. To get started on estate planning or estate administration, give us a call at 336-725-8323 or send us an email.