Probate & Guardianship

North Carolina Probate Law Attorneys

Estate Administration and Guardianship Proceedings

Our practice is devoted to avoiding probate and avoiding guardianship. However, we understand that you may be compelled by a family situation to seek representation in these matters. We apply over 25 years of experience in probate and estate matters to reach an efficient solution that minimizes the time, the costs, and the family turmoil.

Armor Trust Attorneys, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides comprehensive estate planning services with the intention of bypassing the probate process. We practice in the communities of Wake County, Durham County, Orange County, and Chatham County, including representation of out-of-state family members who need a probate or guardianship lawyer. Call us at (919) 571-4398 to discuss how we can help.

Estate Administration and Probate Administration

If you were named the executor of estate with a will, or the personal representative of a person who died intestate, we can assist in all duties of settling the estate:

• Opening the estate and filing the will (if there is one)
• Collecting assets
• Paying creditors (including liquidation of assets)
• Distributing assets to heirs
• Filing reports with the probate court
• Closing the estate and filing tax returns

If there is no will, the North Carolina intestacy laws will determine who inherits, and the probate court will more closely monitor the process.

Guardianship and Incompetency Proceedings

Ideally, a person declared incompetent by a probate judge has powers of attorney designating a trusted person or persons to control their personal and medical affairs. If not, the court will appoint a guardian to represent that person at an incompetency hearing. The typical situation is a parent who is not making responsible decisions about money or health care, and no longer has the faculties to sign a power of attorney. The spouse and family members realize an urgent need to take control of the assets and medical decisions, but may disagree on what to do, resulting in a demeaning and wrenching confrontation. Our lawyers seek a swift legal intervention that preserves the person's dignity and protects his or her interests while transferring control before further harm is done.

Contact Armor Trust Attorneys for legal assistance in settling an estate or compassionate solutions in pressing guardianship matters. You can arrange a consultation at our Raleigh office (919) 571-4398.