Wills and Estate Planning
A good, comprehensive estate plan addresses more than who should receive the assets you leave behind, it determines who will raise your children, handle their money, or who will care for you in your final years. The attorneys at Vernon Law provide comprehensive estate planning services ranging from simple wills to complex wealth preservation strategies.
If you or your loved one is likely to need Medicaid to help pay for long term care in the future, our attorneys are prepared to discuss planning for that eventuality and the possibility of removing assets from the reach of Medicaid estate recovery.
Our wills and estate lawyers have years of experience administering both simple and complex estates and trusts. We are prepared to step in and provide as much or as little guidance and support as needed – ranging from simply pointing you in the right direction to comprehensive management and conservation of our client’s assets.
Wills and Estate Planning Law Areas of Practice:
- Wills
- Powers of Attorney
- Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
- Trusts
- Estate Administration (Probate)
- Spousal Allowance/Spousal Share
- Will Contests
- Medicaid Planning
Other Attorneys Providing these Services
Will and Property Distribution
A will is a document executed prior to your death that directs how your property should be distributed after your death. If you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to the North Carolina Intestate Succession Act, which may not be as you would desire. Having a will permits you to appoint an Executor to conclude your affairs after your death and allows you to recommend a guardian for your minor children. Otherwise, these decisions are left to the court.
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Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone as your agent to manage your affairs if you want them to do so for any reason, including your being unable to do so for yourself. This power of attorney can allow your agent to access and manage your money and investments; pay your bills; borrow money for you; manage your real property; or take other actions needed to manage your affairs.
Living Will
A declaration of a desire for a natural death, sometimes called a “living will”, is a legal document that allows you to make the decision ahead of time that your life not be prolonged artificially if you become terminally and incurably ill or if you are in a persistent vegetative state. It allows you to carry out your right to a peaceful and natural death. In a living will, you state your wishes regarding certain medical procedures which may prolong your life.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A legal document known as a healthcare power of attorney permits you to appoint another person as your healthcare agent to make healthcare decisions for you, including permitting or declining medical care. The healthcare agent can make these decisions only after a physician of your choice determines that you are unable to make these decisions for yourself. Generally, your healthcare agent will have broad discretion to make healthcare decisions for you, including withdrawing treatment needed to keep you alive.
Experience
Vernon Law was established in 1933 and has been assisting clients with their legal needs in Alamance County and throughout the Burlington-Greensboro area in North Carolina for almost a century. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in a multitude of state and federal courts, and together they represent varying backgrounds and perspectives. Vernon Law attorneys have been leaders in the legal profession and in the Burlington-Greensboro North Carolina community, holding office as President of the North Carolina Bar, President of the Alamance County Bar, and Clerk of Court of Alamance County, as well as many other positions of civic and business leadership.
Commitment
At Vernon Law, we are committed to delivering excellent legal representation by providing each client with prompt and personal attention. We are dedicated to serving the diverse Alamance and Guilford county communities, and strive to respond efficiently to their various and changing circumstances. Whether a one-time consultation or ongoing legal counsel, Vernon Law is prepared to meet your needs.
Results
We believe that thoroughly understanding your goals is essential to achieve the results you want. Clients of the Vernon Law firm can expect their attorneys to:
- Listen to and understand their individual concerns;
- Identify the issues to be addressed in achieving their objectives;
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of their case;
- Provide informed and candid opinions of the available alternatives and likely obstacles;
- Develop a plan of action designed to achieve their objectives; and
- Pursue those objectives vigorously.
Delivering Excellent Legal Representation.
Serving Alamance and Guilford Counties in North Carolina Including
Burlington
Graham
Mebane
Elon
Gibsonville