A Gift of Active Love
that Lasts Generations.
From our offices in North Carolina and Florida, the team at TrustCounsel serves clients throughout North Carolina, Florida, New York and Tennessee.
OUR PRACTICE AREAS
Estate Planning
An estate plan is an essential consideration for all individuals, no matter your age or situation. A basic estate plan can help to provide certainty for various scenarios in the event that you become incapacitated or upon your death.
Trusts
While you may think trusts are only for the extremely wealthy, they are a great legal tool for managing and protecting your assets. Our trust attorneys help you through the process of creating a trust that will best protect your family and your assets.
Probate
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's will is validated, and their assets are distributed according to the terms of the will or, in the absence of a will, according to applicable laws. The primary goals of probate are to ensure the proper distribution of the deceased person's assets, settle their debts, and resolve any claims against the estate.
Business Entity Formation
Business entity formation refers to the process of legally establishing a distinct and separate organization that conducts business activities. Choosing the right business structure is a critical decision for entrepreneurs and business owners, as it affects various aspects of the business, including liability, taxation, and management.
Asset Protection
Asset protection refers to a set of legal strategies and financial planning techniques designed to safeguard an individual's or a business's wealth and assets from potential risks, threats, or liabilities. The goal of asset protection is to minimize the impact of unforeseen events, such as lawsuits, creditor claims, bankruptcy, or other financial challenges, by legally and strategically organizing assets in a way that makes them less vulnerable to seizure or loss.
TRUSTCOUNSEL
WHO WE ARE
Our team of attorneys at TrustCounsel has over 40 years of combined experience. As estate planning attorneys, we like to say that we specialize in Peace of Mind. Whether you are just starting out or looking back at a life well-lived, we can craft a comprehensive estate plan based on your goals and wishes. We can help you protect your family, preserve your assets, and save taxes, not to mention avoid probate.
When a loved one has passed away, we can ease the legal and financial burdens that follow. We have handled thousands of estate and trust administrations, including related tax planning and compliance. Let us help you with the probate process – our attorneys can even serve as personal representative (executor or administrator) and or trustee.
READ OUR ESTATE PLANNING GUIDE
What Assets You Can Use to Fund a Strong Trust
A trust is one of the most effective tools in estate planning, but simply creating a trust isn’t enough—you need to fund it properly so it works as intended. Funding a trust means transferring ownership of your assets to the trust, which helps avoid probate and provides seamless management for your beneficiaries. Here are some common assets that can be used to fund a trust: Real Estate – Homes, rental properties, and vacation homes can be transferred to a trust by updating the title. This allows for a smooth transition to heirs without the delays and costs of probate. However, it’s important to consider mortgage implications, insurance requirements, and potential property tax reassessments before transferring real estate to a trust. Bank Accounts – You can transfer checking, savings, and certificate of deposit (CD) accounts into your trust by changing the account ownership to the name of the trust. This guarantees
What They Say About Us
CONTACT
TRUSTCOUNSEL
CHAPEL HILL, NC
1414 Raleigh Road
Ste. 203
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
NAPLES, FLORIDA
1415 Panther Lane
Ste. 534
Naples, FL 34109
( BY APPOINTMENT ONLY )