Having a will ensures your assets go where you intend, minimizes court involvement, and designates guardians for minor children. In Green Level, families value practical solutions; a clearly drafted will can ease transitions, protect dependents, and help manage potential taxes or probate costs, preserving your legacy for future generations.
A thorough will addresses asset types, guardianship, healthcare directives, and contingency plans, leaving little to interpretation and minimizing potential disagreements among family members.
Hatcher Legal, PLLC combines local knowledge with practical estate planning experience to craft documents that align with your goals and the realities of North Carolina probate.
We help you choose secure storage options and share the location with your executor to streamline future administration.
A will directs how assets are distributed, names an executor, and can appoint guardians for minor children. It helps ensure your wishes are clear and reduces uncertainty after your death. Without a will, state law determines distributions that may not reflect your intentions. An intentional will provides safeguards for your family.
In North Carolina, a handwritten will can be valid if it meets specific formal requirements and is properly signed. However, courts often scrutinize informal documents for intent and clarity. Consulting with a wills attorney helps ensure a handwritten document will stand up in probate.
Update your will after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or substantial changes in assets. Regular reviews also align your documents with evolving laws and family dynamics, helping keep your plan accurate and effective over time.
If you become incapacitated without an advance directive, medical and legal decision-making may rely on court-appointed guardians and default procedures. An advance directive and a durable power of attorney ensure your health care choices and financial matters are guided by your preferences.
Yes. You can revise or revoke parts of a will as circumstances change. It is often simplest to draft a codicil or execute an entirely new will, ensuring all changes are clear and properly witnessed according to North Carolina law.
Include all major assets such as real estate, bank accounts, investments, and business interests, plus intangible assets like digital accounts and sentimental items. Clear descriptions and beneficiary designations minimize confusion for executors and heirs during probate and beyond.
Probate is the legal process by which a will is validated and assets are administered. In North Carolina, probate timelines and costs can vary; a well-drafted will can streamline probate, reduce disputes, and speed the transfer of property to beneficiaries.
North Carolina typically requires witnesses for wills, and notaries are not always required but can help with authenticity. An attorney can guide you through the proper witnessing and signing steps to ensure validity.
A wills attorney helps tailor documents to your family, assets, and goals, coordinates guardianship and trusts if needed, reviews beneficiary designations, and explains legal steps. This support ensures your plan is coherent and executable under North Carolina law.
Bring identifying information for all named guardians and executors, an inventory of major assets, current beneficiary designations, and any prior estate documents. This helps us craft a comprehensive plan aligned with your wishes and reduces back-and-forth later.
