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21 Nov, 2024 by Kumar jakkampudi
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08 Nov, 2024 by Ravindranath pal
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09 Oct, 2024 by Vikas bhadauria
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30 Jan, 2022 by Troy
Outstanding staff that walks you thought the entire process making sure to answer all questions and creating the best plan for your family situation.
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30 Jan, 2022 by Darcia
Everyone at this firm has been beyond amazing and patient with us regarding some delays on our side in getting our trust done. In August 2021, we completed and funded (many thanks to Kathy for all of her funding assistance) our trust. It is a wonderful feeling to know that our assets are protected and that everything is in order for our children. My husband and I give our highest recommendation to Carolina Family Estate Planning.
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18 Aug, 2021 by Jane
Following my husband's return from the hospital with a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, I found myself in charge of our finances that he so aptly took care of for 42 years. A friend shared his experiences with CFEP with me and I called them the same day. Within six months, under the guidance of CFEP staff I was able to set up a trust insuring that what we had worked so hard for was protected for the rest of our lives and for our children. The staff at CFEP is always very professional and available to answer what might seems the very basic of questions. Since my husband passed last year I continue to rely on CFEP expertise and plan to continue my association with the firm.
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31 May, 2021 by Brian
Kellie assisted us with our estate planning, and she was great! It was our first time, and she made the process very easy to understand. She walked us through each step of the process in detail and answered all of our questions (and we had a lot!). She is so easy to work with and we highly recommend her firm for your estate planning needs!
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08 Mar, 2021 by Kate
We contacted Carolina Family Estate Planning after moving to North Carolina from New Jersey - we wanted to make sure all our important documents, including wills, healthcare directives and trust documents were all up to date and compliant with our new state laws. They responded to us immediately, and through several meetings including the most important one with Kellie, we had our (pretty complex!) documents updated and ready for signature within a matter of days. She answered every question clearly and kindly - this kind of thing can be stressful but they she and her team went above and beyond to make us feel secure and at ease. Their office is absolutely the most organized lawyer's offices we have ever been to, right down to the document delivery which came in a tabbed binder and with copies on a flash drive. I can't say enough good things about our experience, and we feel like our family is in expert and caring hands.
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26 Jan, 2021 by Dave & carol
We've had our estate plan revised twice by specialist firms. Thus, we have experience working with estate lawyers and can compare them. We found Kellie Corbett to be both an excellent listener and communicator. She suggested alternatives that have greatly improved our plan. In addition, Kellie is also generous with her time and has great patience. In summary, we consider her to be the most effective such lawyer with whom we've had the pleasure of working.
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18 Jan, 2023 by Andrea szigethy
Zachary provided top notch full service help to my husband and I while setting up our estate plan. He explained everything to us and made it simple to understand. He made it a smooth and easy process and we were able to get this done pretty quickly. Zachary is extremely professional and I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to prepare their wills, estate plans, trusts, and anything that will give you the peace of mind that you prepared your loved ones in the future. He was great and we will definitely call upon him again in the future should we need anything. We now feel very comfortable that we have a folder prepared with all the important documents that our children will need in the future. Thank you so much!
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06 Jan, 2023 by Jared snead
Zack was very knowledgeable and professional. Communication with him was easy and timely. I felt at ease working with him in this process. I feel great about our finished documents. Highly recommend!
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21 Dec, 2022 by Matt searson
We had an excellent experience with Zachary A. Cooper Law. Zach was incredibly easy to talk to, he took great care in explaining his work to us, and his primary goal was to honor our wishes as he helped us with our estate planning. He was gracious to answer our countless, stupid questions and he demonstrated professionalism throughout the whole process.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Biz lorax
Creating a Trust is a long and complex process, but we had a good experience with Carolina Family Estate Planning. Kathy always got back to us quickly with our questions. Sheena was Fantastic! She's the one who actually facilitates the process of putting the assets into the Trust, the final step. Such a relief to have it done!
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09 Aug, 2024 by Terry dail
Absolutely fantastic! Well organized, informative and entertaining at the same time.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Jackie ley
This was an absolutely awesome experience. The entire staff has been so helpful and Kellie couldn’t have been more helpful. We highly recommend the Carolina Family Estate Planning for all your Estate needs. Mike & Jackie Ley
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09 Dec, 2024 by R d
James is an outstanding attorney. In my experience, during the course of about 12 months, he always had my best interests in mind, always responded promptly to my communications, and was always honest and up-front. Three things James recommend to me, when we first met for our consultation, and then another thing shortly after, gave me full confidence in him, and achieving a speedy separation/divorce. First, he recommended to refrain from offering anything I wouldn’t accept myself. Second, refrain from making unreasonable or unfair requests. Third, if still in doubt, do not request or offer anything that a judge would’t find reasonable and acceptable. The other thing James told me, after reviewing all our paperwork and process, was that my ex and I had already completed most of the work, and if everyone was prepared to sit together and be reasonable, we could have everything completed within a few hours. Unfortunately, reasonable was not in my ex’s attorneys vocabulary. And in the end, not only did my ex failed in all her unreasonable requests, she also wasted a ton of money because she picked an attorney who did not have her best interests in mind, and she lost our house because her attorney went AWOL for multiple days prior to paperwork deadlines (now I have the house even though I gave my ex first option). Bottom line; James is honest, fair, and professional, and he’ll look after you and your best interests in a fair, honest, and speedy manner.
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20 Nov, 2024 by Gary hatch
I was initially hesitant and even skeptical of asking a lawyer to help us with estate planning. We had only a modest and relatively simple estate. At the urging of my wife, we met with Duffy Palmer who educated us in estate law. His patience and honest answers to our many questions left us with a new appreciation of issues we had never considered. We learned about the costs and legal tangles often encountered in probate, and we did not want to lay these difficulties on our children. Instead, we wanted to pass on our estate to them as efficiently as possible. We became convinced that the cost of creating a revocable living trust, reworking our wills and powers of attorney would be a good investment in the future of our family. The resulting trust and related documents would simplify and eliminate many of hurdles and costs that arise at the time of a death. Mr. Palmer is young and he is honest and stable. His services do not end when the portfolio is completed. The process of crafting the trust required several phone calls and back-and-forth emails with our edits marked in red. We feel very good about the final product. Mr. Palmer patiently worked with us until we had completed all of the necessary actions. We now have an Estate Planning Portfolio that contains the necessary paperwork to cover the many possible complications that can occur upon death. We highly recommend Mr. Duffy Palmer and the estate planning process he expertly performs.
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19 Nov, 2024 by Priscilla garner atwater
Excellent and Speedy Service. Very Resonable. He does exactly what he tells you. I would definitely call him again if needed.
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What a Trusts Lawyer Can Do for You

A trusts lawyer specializes in creating and managing trusts, which are legal entities that allow individuals to transfer assets to beneficiaries while maintaining control over how and when those assets are distributed. Trusts are used for estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and ensuring the financial security of loved ones. Trusts lawyers help clients choose the right type of trust for their needs, draft trust documents, and advise on the administration and management of trusts.

Whether you're planning to pass on your assets to your heirs, protect your wealth from creditors, or provide for a disabled family member, a trusts lawyer can help you establish a trust that meets your financial and personal goals.

When Should I Hire a Trusts Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a trusts lawyer in various situations, particularly when you're planning for the future distribution of your assets or protecting your wealth. Common reasons to hire a trusts lawyer include:

  • Estate planning: If you want to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, a lawyer can help you create a revocable or irrevocable trust to avoid probate and provide for your heirs.
  • Asset protection: If you want to protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, or potential future liabilities, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to shield your wealth.
  • Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member, a lawyer can create a special needs trust to provide for their care without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
  • Tax planning: If you're looking to minimize estate taxes or manage tax liabilities, a lawyer can help you create tax-advantageous trusts, such as a credit shelter trust or charitable remainder trust.
  • Charitable giving: If you want to leave a legacy through charitable donations, a lawyer can help you set up a charitable trust to ensure your donations are managed according to your wishes.
  • Business succession planning: If you own a business and want to ensure a smooth transition of ownership, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to pass the business on to your heirs or chosen successors.

Hiring a trusts lawyer early in the estate planning process ensures that your assets are protected and your wishes are clearly documented, reducing the chances of disputes after your death.

What Does a Trusts Lawyer Do?

A trusts lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help individuals create, manage, and administer trusts. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Drafting trust documents: Preparing the legal documents needed to create the trust, ensuring it is tailored to your specific goals and complies with state and federal laws.
  • Choosing the right type of trust: Assisting clients in selecting the most appropriate type of trust for their needs, whether it's a revocable trust, irrevocable trust, living trust, or special needs trust.
  • Trust administration: Guiding trustees through their legal responsibilities, including managing assets, making distributions to beneficiaries, and filing tax returns.
  • Modifying or terminating trusts: Helping modify or terminate trusts if circumstances change, such as changes in tax laws, family situations, or personal preferences.
  • Protecting beneficiaries' interests: Structuring trusts to protect the interests of beneficiaries, especially if there are concerns about financial management, disability, or dependency issues.
  • Minimizing estate taxes: Assisting clients in structuring their trusts to minimize or avoid estate taxes, ensuring more of the estate passes to beneficiaries.
  • Handling disputes: Mediating or representing clients in court if disputes arise among beneficiaries or between trustees and beneficiaries.

How Are Trusts Lawyers Paid?

Trusts lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the trust and the type of legal work involved. Common payment methods include:

  • Flat fee: For drafting basic trusts, such as revocable living trusts or special needs trusts, many lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the trust.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex trust planning, ongoing trust administration, or resolving disputes, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Retainer: For long-term trust administration or complex estate planning cases, some lawyers may require a retainer, an upfront payment that covers ongoing services.
  • Contingency fee (rare): In rare cases, particularly in disputes involving the administration of a trust, lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, getting paid only if they successfully recover funds or resolve a legal dispute in your favor.

Always discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the total cost of services.

How Much Does a Trusts Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a trusts lawyer depends on the complexity of the trust, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:

  • Basic trust creation: For simple trusts, such as revocable living trusts, fees may range from $1,000 to $3,000.
  • Complex trust creation: For sophisticated estate plans involving multiple trusts, tax planning strategies, or special needs considerations, legal fees may range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
  • Trust administration: If you are serving as a trustee and need ongoing legal advice, hourly rates for trust administration can range from $150 to $500 or more.
  • Dispute resolution: Costs for litigation or mediation in trust disputes may range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.

Be sure to get a detailed cost estimate from your lawyer during the consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.

Top Questions to Ask a Trusts Lawyer

Before hiring a trusts lawyer, consider asking the following questions:

  1. What experience do you have with creating trusts?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience drafting trusts and managing trust administration for clients with similar goals or asset structures.
  2. What types of trusts do you recommend for my situation?
    Ask the lawyer to explain the different types of trusts available and which ones best suit your needs.
  3. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate of the total cost.
  4. What are the tax implications of the trust?
    Ensure the lawyer can explain how the trust will affect your taxes and strategies to minimize tax liability.
  5. How long will it take to set up the trust?
    Ask for a timeline for creating and finalizing the trust documents.
  6. Will you handle the trust administration?
    If ongoing management is required, inquire whether the lawyer will assist with trust administration or if you'll need a separate trustee.
  7. Can you help resolve disputes if they arise?
    Ask about the lawyer's experience in resolving trust disputes.

How to Check the Credibility of a Trusts Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable trusts lawyer, take the following steps:

  • Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
  • Look for trust law experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in estate planning and trusts.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
  • Ask for references: Request references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
  • Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) or memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA).

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your first consultation with a trusts lawyer, bring the following:

  • List of assets: Prepare a list of all your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.
  • List of beneficiaries: Provide names and contact information of individuals or organizations you want to name as beneficiaries.
  • Existing estate planning documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents.
  • Financial information: Bring financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant financial documentation.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions about the trust creation process, fees, and how the trust will protect your assets and beneficiaries.
  • Goals for the trust: Clearly outline your objectives, such as asset protection, tax minimization, or provisions for beneficiaries, so the lawyer can tailor the trust to your needs.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible legal advice for creating and managing your trust.

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