A will is a legal document that says how you want your assets distributed and who you want caring for your minor children after you pass away. A trust does more: it can manage your assets during your lifetime, provide for you and your family if you become incapacitated, and allow your loved ones to avoid the probate court process after you're gone. Whether you need a will, a trust, or both really depends on your family, your goals, and what you own. I'd love to walk through your situation together and help you figure out what makes the most sense.

In North Carolina, a valid written will must be signed by you and witnessed by two competent witnesses, and it's best practice to have it notarized as well (this creates what's called a “self-proving” will, which makes things much easier for your loved ones later). Beyond the legal formalities, there's a lot to think through: who should serve as your executor, how your assets should be handled, and whether guardianship needs to be addressed for minor children. I'd rather help you get this right the first time than have your family discover a mistake when it's too late to fix. Let's schedule a consultation and build a will that truly protects the people you love.

North Carolina does recognize handwritten (holographic) wills under certain narrow circumstances, but they come with real risks. Because these wills aren't witnessed the way a formal will is, they're much more likely to be challenged, misinterpreted, or found invalid by the court, right when your family needs clarity most. I always recommend working with an attorney to create a will that will actually hold up and clearly reflect your wishes.

Legally, no. But I've seen what happens when a do-it-yourself will misses something important, and it's rarely a small fix. Working with an attorney helps you catch the details you didn't know to think about, like naming a guardian correctly and making sure your will actually accomplishes what you intend. I'd love to sit down with you and make sure everything is covered.

Every will should name an executor to manage your estate, explain how you want your assets distributed, and, if you have minor children, name a guardian to care for them. Beyond that, what belongs in your will depends on you: your family structure, your assets, and how much protection you want to build in. There's no one-size-fits-all will, so let's talk through your specific situation and make sure nothing important is left out.

Yes. As long as you're of sound mind, you can update or revoke your will at any time. The key is making sure any updates are made properly, so your new wishes are the ones that are legally honored. If it's been a while since you looked at your will, or if something in your life has shifted, let's schedule a time to review it together.

Your executor is the person who will manage your estate and carry out your wishes after you're gone, so you'll want someone trustworthy, organized, and capable of handling the responsibility (or willing to get help along the way). You name your executor in your will, and once the time comes, the court formally appoints them. I'm happy to talk through your options and help you think about who is the right fit for you and your family.

If you pass away without a will, North Carolina's intestacy laws decide how your estate is distributed, not you. That can mean your assets go to people you wouldn't have chosen, in proportions you wouldn't have picked, and it often creates unnecessary stress, delay, and conflict for the family you leave behind. Having a will in place is one of the simplest ways to protect your loved ones from that uncertainty. Let's put a plan in place that reflects the outcome you actually want.

The most important step is naming a guardian for your children in your will and leaving clear, comprehensive instructions for their care. In our Minor Care Plan, we go even further, helping you think through the details that matter most: who should raise them, how they should be cared for, and what support and guidance they'll need, so there's no guesswork for the people you love during an already difficult time.

Absolutely. This is your plan, and it should reflect what matters to you. When we work together, we talk through everything you have, everyone you love, and the outcome you're hoping for, because at the end of the day, your will isn't really about a piece of paper. It's about making sure the people and causes you care about are taken care of exactly the way you intend. We'll help you structure your will so it truly reflects that outcome.

Yes, even with a trust, you still need a will. In that case, your will typically serves as what's called a “pour-over will,” which ensures that anything not already titled in your trust's name during your lifetime gets transferred into your trust after you pass away, so your trust's instructions can still be carried out. Your will also remains the place where guardianship for minor children is named. It's important to know, though, that having a will alone does not keep your family out of probate court; that benefit comes specifically from proper trust drafting and trust funding, which we can talk more about together.