It’s surprising how many otherwise responsible people put off making a will. They seem to regard it as similar to cleaning the garage, an unpleasant task that needs to be done…later. If they think about it at all, they must assume that their last wishes will be magically honored in absentia. Granted, it’s difficult to face the necessity of putting final wishes down in black and white, let alone seriously thinking about and discussing what those final wishes are, in detail.
However, the alternative in North Carolina (as is generally the case elsewhere) is that without a will, the State will decide how property is divided and distributed. Your best friend will not receive the prize shotgun or antique ring as you had always intended and the bequest planned for your church or favorite charity will not be received by them. Not a dime will go to charitable organizations or to anyone not a blood relative unless it is written down and signed.
State laws are intended to be fair, but families do not fit into ‘one size fits all’ rules. If someone dies intestate (without a will), the surviving spouse will receive $30,000 in personal property and one-third of the remaining estate. The remaining two-thirds will be divided among the children. That might not leave enough to provide for the spouse’s needs. If one of the children is physically or mentally disabled, a trust might offer a better way to provide for his or her future requirements. A trust can ensure that money left to a child for college expenses cannot be spent on a new car or a trip to Las Vegas.
The Lake Law Office, PLLC has been assisting North Carolina clients with their trusts, wills and estates for more than a decade. The firm also specializes in cases involving personal injury, real estate, bankruptcies and small business matters. The Wills, Estates and Trusts Lawyers at Lake Law Office, PLLC understand that dealing with these issues can be very difficult emotionally for many people. They help people resolve and organize their affairs in the ways that will be of the most benefit to their families and communities. Anyone who has been putting off dealing with these very personal decisions should contact the experts in Wills, Estates and Trusts in Mooresville, NC and put their minds at ease, knowing that their last wishes will be honored.
