Starting December 1, 2025, it will be easier for children born out of wedlock to inherit from their father if their father was listed on their birth certificate. This is a change from the previous law. My colleague, attorney Andrew Brower, wrote about this new change on the North Carolina Bar Association blog .

As a stepparent, you’ve likely grown to love your stepchildren as your own. It’s only natural to want to ensure they benefit from your hard work and share in your estate when you’re no longer around. But you might be surprised to learn that, without proper planning, stepchildren do not automatically have inheritance rights. Our Chatham County will and trust attorneys break it down for you. Understanding the Inheritance Laws for Stepchildren By default, inheritance laws don’t

Cognitive decline is a challenging issue faced by many elderly individuals and their loved ones. It can be emotionally difficult and legally complex to know when and how to step in. If you’re noticing cognitive issues in a loved one, it may be time to consider involving their doctor. Here are a few points from our Chapel Hill elder law attorneys to guide you in doing so ethically and legally. Signs It May Be Time to Speak with a Doctor Memory Loss Affecting Daily Activities:

Most people are shocked to learn that North Carolina children born out of wedlock (their parents are not married to each other) will not inherit from their father, unless he creates a will or other estate plan, or has been declared the father in certain court proceedings. Being listed as the father on a birth certificate is not enough. Men, if your child was born outside of marriage, you must take legal action to ensure your child inherits from you. Understanding the Inherita

Writing a Last Will and Testament is a crucial step in planning for your future. But did you know that it’s also possible to create a plan for the way you want your funeral and memorial service to be conducted? It may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on to learn how you can make your funeral wishes part of your estate plan. Create a Health Care Power of Attorney The person you name as agent (health care agent) in your Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) will h

Parenting an adult with special needs can present unique financial challenges. A Special Needs Trust can help to ease the burden by providing additional resources without compromising your child’s eligibility for government benefits. Funds from a trust may be used to cover things like housing, medical expenses, and other services that contribute to quality of life – allowing you peace of mind knowing your loved one is provided for in every way possible. Let’s take a look at s

When creating a trust, one important decision to make is who will act as the trustee. Choosing to name a non-family third party as the trustee of your trust can provide several benefits. Here, we will explore some of the pros and cons of choosing a third party to oversee the trust. Pros Objective Decision Making A third-party trustee has no personal ties or biases that could affect their decision-making. This means decisions are based on the best interests of the trust and it

While being a caregiver can be rewarding, it can also be extremely stressful. It is very common for caregivers to feel frustrated, tired, and even depressed. As a result, you will want to make life as easy as possible to reduce stress. Following are some ways to help you accomplish that goal. Have Limits As a caregiver, you will be asked to do many things, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything. You have to create boundaries for your loved ones. If you are taking per

Estate planning involves careful consideration of your assets and how they’ll be managed upon your passing. One common question that arises is whether a burial plot should be included in a living trust. Our Chapel Hill will and trust lawyers will explain why burial plots don’t necessarily need to be included in your trust and discuss the unique nature of their ownership and transfer. Understanding Burial Plot Ownership Unlike traditional real estate, burial plots are not owne