by Durham Law Firm | May 13, 2021 | Guardianship
If someone you love needs help to care for themselves, a court often must appoint a guardian. However, before the court can appoint a permanent guardian, it appoints a “guardian ad litem,” usually an attorney, to represent the interests of the individual. This...
by Durham Law Firm | May 8, 2021 | Probate
Everyone over the age of 18 has an estate. Your estate is comprised of everything you own in addition to your minor children and pets. It’s crucial to make a plan for your estate before you die. Without a plan, your estate goes through a long court process known as...
by Durham Law Firm | May 5, 2021 | Probate
If a loved one passes away without owning many assets, you may want to settle the estate without going through the probate process. There are many good reasons to skip the probate line and move straight into settling an estate. In North Carolina, you will need to get...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 30, 2021 | Probate, Estate Administration
After a loved one dies, usually a probate court must settle the estate. While most people want the settlement process done ASAP, probate can take between 18 and 24 months. Sometimes probate can last three years or more. Time delays can create unnecessary stress for...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 23, 2021 | Estate Planning
None of us know what our future holds. If you end up in the hospital needing life-saving treatments, how will your loved ones know what to do? Advance Directives are legal documents that tell your family and friends what types of medical treatment you want if you...
by Hopler Hanna Staff | Apr 21, 2021 | Probate
The good news is that with some legal help, you can altogether avoid probate for your family. The bad news is that if you don’t make a plan, your estate will go through probate and all of the associated costs when you pass away. Instead, learn how to avoid probate in...
by Hopler Hanna Staff | Apr 17, 2021 | Estate Planning
Today many people are using a revocable living trust as the foundation of their estate plan. However, they make a big mistake that sends their assets and loved ones right into the court system: they fail to fund their trust. But how do you fund your trust? Learn how...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 14, 2021 | Civil Litigation
No matter how charmed the life you lead, disagreements are bound to happen occasionally. When things heat up and you need someone to help you settle a problem, the legal civil litigation system is sometimes the answer. When you can’t find a way to right the wrong, you...
by Hopler Hanna Staff | Apr 10, 2021 | Estate Planning
You may not feel old enough or rich enough to need a will, but the fact is that certain kinds of planning are still crucial for everyone over the age of 18. “Estate planning” is the legal name for the plans you need to make. A Will is a part of that planning. You do...
by Durham Law Firm | Apr 7, 2021 | Guardianship
The majority of seniors do not have plans in place for their long-term care. Therefore, it is up to children or other relatives to make decisions about their financial, physical, and emotional well-being should they become unable to care for themselves. Once you learn...
