Wills & Trusts Attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina

Estate planning is important for anyone who cares about how their passing will impact their spouse, children, or beneficiaries. As such, it is not catered to the rich or those in a certain age group. Anyone with property and assets can and should fill out a will or establish a trust so that they can designate what will happen to their assets after they pass.

Whether you are married, divorced, healthy, ill, or facing a major milestone in your life, the Law Offices of C. Melody Davalos can help you create a plan for your assets or estate based on your current financial situation and long-term goals. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning involves the process of creating a personal strategy for how your estate and assets will be distributed after your death. Your estate is the sum of all property and possessions that you own. This may include:

• Real estate

• Investments

• Cars

• Savings

• Heirlooms

• Clothing/jewelry

The goal of estate planning is to ensure that your estate is passed down to your beneficiaries precisely as you wish. In addition, our law firm can help you find ways to pay the least amount of taxes on your estate while assigning guardians for children in your family.

What Is a Will?

Also known as a Last Will and Testament, a will is a legally binding document that outlines how you want your assets and property distributed after your death. Your will may also designate a guardian for any minor children if something happens to you before they become adults.

You can designate an executor who oversees the distribution of the assets. The executor ensures that the distribution happens as outlined in the will. As your legal counsel, our lawyers see to it that your will is set up correctly in order to minimize any disputes or misinterpretations when the time comes for it to be administered.

What Is a Trust?

A trust is a fiduciary relationship between you and an appointed trustee. The trustee holds a title to assets or property on behalf of a beneficiary. The trustee ensures that the assets or property are distributed according to your wishes. A trust prevents possible disputes from arising and relieves all relevant parties from being buried in paperwork.

In some cases, a trust can shield assets or property from estate taxes. The Law Offices of C. Melody Davalos can act as a reliable trustee to help you establish the rules of the trust and the terms in which the trust exists. Our law firm can help you determine how your money or assets should be managed and distributed while you are alive or after your death.

How Our Law Firm Can Help You with Your Estate

Your estate plan is your legacy to your beneficiaries. Therefore, it is important that your estate is prepared according to your wishes. A wills and trusts lawyer can minimize the amount of headache, confusion, or conflict that might arise after your death. Our law firm can help you plan your estate in the following ways:

• Customize your will or trust to your exact specifications

• Help you avoid common mistakes in estate planning

• Find ways to avoid probate and estate taxes

• Recommend legal tools/documents for your situation

• Modify your estate plan as needed

• Update you on the latest estate laws in North Carolina

We are dedicated to preserving your legacy and handing down your estate to those you love most.