Wills, Estates, & Probates

It’s never too soon to start thinking about how you will plan for the future and take care of your loved ones. Estate planning can be a sensitive topic, and we understand that writing a will or setting up a trust is about more than financial security. It’s about the emotional security that comes from knowing you have a planin place to take care of those who mean the most to you. Woodruff & Fortner have been assisting clients throughout Johnston County and the surrounding areas with numerous years of Estate Planning including living wills, trusts, and last wills and testaments. I also help my clients establish trusts and powers of attorney, including medical powers of attorney

By creating an estate plan, you can ensure that your wishes are preserved and your assets are protected. As an estate planning attorney, we help our clients gain the reassuring peace of mind of knowing that when they pass away, their estates will bein the hands of their loved ones according to their wishes.

 

Probate

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy and what happens after can also difficult and that is why Woodruff & Fortner will help you handle the probate process. We will help you legally verify your loved one's will. Many times, in North Carolina an estate must go through the probate process to ensure the orderly succession of assets to surviving family members and beneficiaries. Trying to navigate probate matters during a time of grieving can be extremely difficult. Turn your legal matter over to Woodruff & Fortner, we will make sure your Probate is handled properly

 

Settle Issues

If certain family members are unhappy with the will, they may contest it, which canlead to a long, expensive process. A probate attorney can step in and help resolvethese issues efficiently.

 

Deal with Debts

In some cases, an individual can pass without enough money in their estate to payoutstanding debts. Our attorneys can help you prioritize certain debts and establishmethods of settling others.

 

Handle Complex Estates

While most executors can deal with simple estates, some cases require a moreadvanced understanding of local and state probate laws. For example, if the estatecontains a business, you may need the assistance of an attorney.

 

 

Wills

Make A Plan Before its Too Late!

Have you been meaning to establish a will and are finally ready to talk to an experienced estate planning lawyer? Establishing a will now allows your family members to not bear the burden of making difficult choices about life support, organ donation, and various treatment options. If a situation arises where you can’tvoice your preferences with regards to medical care and treatment, a will is there toprotect your final wishes.

A will also allows you to name someone to manage your healthcare in advance, which takes away the stress of trying to decide who is responsible for making these choices in a time of crisis.

Many families find these conversations difficult, so it helps to have a legal professional who is willing to provide professional, yet compassionate advice throughout.

 

Trusts

Trusts are an estate planning tool used for asset protection, providing a plan for the management of your assets upon your disability, and to help our clients’ families avoid the probate process. We offer various types of trusts, and estate planning attorneys can help you decide if a trust is right for your family and handle the paperwork to create it as a part of your comprehensive estate planning process.Many people worry their family could lose their home and life savings if they must move into a nursing home or require other around-the-clock care. This is where trusts can offer many families peace of mind.

 

Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney gives permission to another person to make medical or financialdecisions and act as the authority on your behalf. Woodruff & Fortner will help you create individual estate planning tools or develop acomprehensive estate and asset protection strategy on your behalf.

 

To talk about your need for estate planning services
Call us today


919-934-4000