Estate Planning

Lord & Lindley - Lawyers in Charlotte NC

Trustworthy Pets

March 8, 2019

Are you a cat person or a dog person?  The truth is many of us love animals.  In fact, approximately 68 percent of American households own at least one pet. In some of those households, care for a pet is part of the estate plan.  Consider, for example, millionaire head of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, who…

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‘I Say a Little Prayer’ that Aretha Franklin’s children have ‘Respect’ and Are Not a ‘Chain of Fools’

August 29, 2018

American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16 at the age of 76 after battling advanced pancreatic cancer. In the days following her passing, her four sons filed documents with the Michigan Probate Court stating that Aretha passed without a will or trust, and claimed to be interested parties in her estate.…

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Elder Abuse: When Aging Relatives May Need Their Own Superhero

June 20, 2018

Elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or associate of an elderly individual, which causes harm.[1] Financial elder abuse occurs when a trusted friend or family member obtains access to a senior’s financial accounts and uses the assets therein for personal gain. Unfortunately, this abuse is widespread in the United States…

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Four Legal Documents Dementia Patients Should Have in Place

July 6, 2016

      A diagnosis of dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss and/or cognitive reasoning disorders, is potentially devastating for both the patient and their family. Following a dementia diagnosis, it is important to execute these four essential planning documents to avoid further hardship in the form of costly court battles. (1)…

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Caveat to a Caveat to a Will: North Carolina Court Of Appeals Offers Non-binding Opinion

October 14, 2015

          In October the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion addressing the circumstances under which it is appropriate to grant a motion to dismiss in the context of a will caveat.[1]  A caveat is a legal challenge to the probate of a will when there is confusion or…

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N.c. Court Of Appeals: Caveators Were Not Prejudiced By Dead Man’s Statute Since the Jury “heard the Gist Of Caveators’ Evidence.”

August 26, 2015

          In 1960 Charles Pickelsimer (“Charles”) inherited significant stock holdings in a family telecommunications company.[1]  Over the next 45 years, Charles gave his children and grandchildren stock certificates as gifts.  When he sold the company in 2008 for $65 million, Charles and his children received significant cash distributions.  In 2009, Charles…

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Nc Court Of Appeals: While Decedent’s Actions Effectively Bypassed Will, “it Was His Prerogative to Do So.”

August 5, 2015

              On July 21, 2015, the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a ruling emphasizing the importance of executing cohesive estate documents and appointing a trusted fiduciary to execute the testator’s wishes.[1]               Dwight Jordan died testate with four children, and his will instructed the estate to be…

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