Top best Estate Lawyers in Charlotte | 391 available

“There is nothing so sinister in so arranging one’s affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor, and all do right for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands; taxes are enforced exactions, not voluntary contributions. To demand more in the name of morals is mere cant.” Judge Learned Hand.. I had been practicing law for a number of years when I rediscovered this quote from Judge Hand. At the time, I was starting a program to obtain a Masters in Accountancy with the intention of using it to better serve my clients in estate planning and corporate transactions. Many years have passed since then but I am still struck by Judge Hand’s phrase “so arranging one’s affairs.” As both an estate planner and a corporate attorney, my primary focus is assisting my clients in so arranging their affairs to achieve their specific goals.. In estate planning, those goals often involve providing a legacy for a surviving spouse or child and making sure an appropriate person is named to serve as the guardian of a minor child. A will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney with advanced directive are all necessary documents in an effective estate plan. Because everyone’s circumstances are different, certain estate plans can require the use of revocable or irrevocable trusts. In either case, the client is entitled to a comprehensive plan to achieve his, her or their goals. My role is to provide that plan as efficiently and effectively as possible. Doing so often involves teamwork. I’m committed to working with all my clients’ advisors to craft a plan, to arrange their affairs, to achieve that end.. Corporate transactions also require arranging one’s affairs, but instead of passing on a legacy, the business owner needs to ensure the continued operation and success of his business venture. From starting a new business to expanding an existing business to acquiring or merging a business, proper planning is imperative for continued success. I provide that planning to my clients by advising them on business structures, operating and shareholder agreements, and investigating the different options available to an expanding business. From start-up to winding-down, I help business owners with tools they need to succeed.. Judge Hand was talking specifically about taxes when he wrote the statement above, and taxes can play a key role in both estate planning and corporate transactions. My experience allows me to identify those tax implications in both estate and business planning. But whether taxes are the primary focus, or merely a secondary consideration, the purpose of good planning is the arranging of one’s affairs. I’m committed to providing my clients the highest level of service in handling their estate and corporate needs. From beginning to end, I will counsel and advise them as they plan for some of the most important decisions they will make.

With more than 20 years of local real estate experience combined with my law degree, I can provide truly valuable insight for clients who need to navigate the legalities of real estate transactions.. I have always been intrigued with the role of an attorney as an advocate. The legal system is difficult to navigate, and I thought I could do more to assist people in a real property transaction with a law degree.   Unlike many other attorneys, I invested over twenty years in a real estate career prior to attending law school.  I am a licensed broker in both North Carolina and South Carolina.. Because of my background, I can help to set expectations of what may happen in the course of a client’s transaction. There are many things that can happen behind the scenes that we address so that our clients do not have to hassle with them.  Our goal is to make the transaction as seamless as possible.  The most rewarding part of a real property transaction is when the settlement takes place and each party is satisfied not only with what they have sold or purchased, but also what they are able to do as a result of it – some move on to build a family, some to retirement, some to develop property commercially.  No matter what a client is doing, they have a next step.  By making the real property transaction easier, I can help facilitate the next move.. I visit development and construction sites as often as I can.  If I drive by dirt and there is something going on, I am going to look at it to see what I can learn.  My broad perspective is my greatest strength as a Real Estate attorney.  My past experience gives me a firm grasp on the real estate transaction as a whole.  This offers a unique insight not only to what clients are going through during the course of the transaction, but the reasons for issues that may arise and alternative avenues to resolve them.. My husband and I have been married for twenty-three years, and we have one son, one dog, and two cats.  They are my biggest supporters, and I would not be here if not for my family.  What you do when no one is looking is the most important part of your character.  I apply this principle not only to my personal life, but to my practice of law.  My goal is to earn life-long clients.  To do that, my clients have to trust me to be their go-to resource.

Tim practices in both North and South Carolina and is the founding member of the firm’s predecessor, Sellers, Hinshaw, Ayers, Dortch and Lyons, P.A. He has extensive experience in business, construction and condominium and planned community association law as well as litigation and alternate dispute resolution (ADR). He chaired the statewide drafting committee for the North Carolina Planned Community Act which became law in 1999 and has been involved extensively in revisions to the Act since its adoption. Tim currently serves on Community Association Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association's Real Property Section. He has also served on North Carolina Bar Association committees for the revision of the North Carolina construction lien and foreclosure statutes.. Tim is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers, which was established in 1993 to recognize excellence in the practice of community association law. Of the thousands of attorneys practicing community association law in the United States, fewer than 150 have been offered membership in the College. Members of the College distinguish themselves through their contributions to the development of community association law and through their promotion and practice of high standards of professional and ethical responsibility.. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite are North Carolina’s best lawyers in 14 business-related specialties. In 2010, Tim received more votes than any other lawyer in the real estate specialty placing him at the top of the Legal Elite for Real Estate and earning him a permanent place in the Legal Elite Hall of Fame.. Tim is the President of PeacePoint, an independent, non-denominational ministry that encourages and equips Christians to restore relationships broken by conflict and to resolve disputes fairly for God’s glory and for their good. Please visit . Tim has mediated and arbitrated cases involving family and marriage conflict, business and employment disputes, torts and church organizational conflict. He consults with churches and also teaches Biblical peacemaking and Christian Resolution and Reconciliation principles.. Tim served the City of Charlotte from 1993 through 1999, first as a member of its Community Relations Committee, and later as a two term member of its City Council. Tim and his wife, Charlene, live in Denver, North Carolina where they attend The Cove Church. They have two adult children, Steve and Mary Ann.

Tim Graham is a family law attorney whose practice focuses on all aspects of domestic cases, specifically equitable distribution, child custody, child support, and alimony. The majority of his practice involves litigation; however, he strives to resolve cases without the need for court. Tim is the author of “The Contingent Fee in Domestic Relations Cases – Thompson v. Thompson,” 7 Campbell Law Review 437, Summer 1985.

Throughout his 28 year legal career, Chris’s passion has been to provide each of his clients with effective, aggressive and personalized legal representation. Chris brings a vast array of legal knowledge and experience to each and every case he handles, including  motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, nursing home neglect, catastrophic injuries (severe burns, brain and spinal injuries, etc.), construction accidents,  workers’ compensation and wrongful death.. Chris’ extensive and diverse work history in the legal field provides him with a unique perspective on how to successfully litigation cases against large corporations and insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation for victims of negligence. Chris moved to Charlotte in 1987 and began his legal career at Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein, LLP, one of the state’s largest law firms, defending companies in litigation matters in both state and federal courts. In 1993, he accepted a position as in-house counsel at First Union Corporation (now Wells Fargo), handling complex litigation cases across the country. As Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel of First Union, Chris was also responsible for overseeing and defending the personal injury and risk management cases against the company.. In 1997, Chris joined with his law partner Jeff Warren to form Warren & Kallianos, a personal injury law firm exclusively focused on protecting the rights of those injured by the negligence of others. His skill, reputation and accomplishments as a trial attorney have been recognized by numerous state and national legal organizations and associations.. In addition to practicing law, Chris believes in public service and the need to support organizations that protect access to justice and the right to a jury trial. Chris has served on the Board of Governors for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), an organization dedicated to protecting the legal rights of those injured by the negligence of others, as County Captain of the NCAJ, and as a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Fee Dispute Committee and Public Information and Education Committee. For six years, Chris also served as a Commissioner and Mayor-Pro-Tem on the Matthews Town Council.. Chris is a lifelong native of North Carolina, having been born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. Chris attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) where he studied psychology and business.  He received his undergraduate degree and was awarded Phi Beta Kappa from UNC in 1984.  He also attended law school at UNC where he received his law degree with honors in 1987.  While in law school, Chris served as a member of the North Carolina Law Review and was appointed to the Board of Editors of the North Carolina Law Review.  Chris is a published author on topics ranging from bad faith insurance practices to medical negligence. He is admitted to practice in all North Carolina federal and state courts, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and is a Certified North Carolina Superior Court Mediator.. Chris has an active life outside of the practice of law. He has three wonderful daughters who are all married. He is a proud grandfather of three and enjoys spending as much time with his family as possible. Chris is an avid golfer and tennis player, having competed in various golf and tennis events throughout Charlotte.

Thomas R. Sanford II (T.R.) received his BA for Queens College, MBA from
Queens University, and JD from the University of South Carolina.
T.R. is a member of ElderCounsel, WealthCounsel, the National Academy of
Elder Law Attorneys, Mecklenburg County Bar Association, and the North
Carolina Bar Association. He is the President and a Director of the
WealthCounsel North Carolina Forum and an accredited attorney with the
Veterans Administration. In addition, he is currently on the Board of
Directors of the Mecklenburg County Senior Games.

The first step is for us to work together and come up with a plan to get the maximum results you need. Through my understanding of the law and your understanding of the circumstances, we will craft a path to success.

Rivers Law, PLLC serves clients in
North Carolina and South Carolina in the areas of estate planning, probate
administration, trust administration, guardianships, and general business
law.  Rivers Law is conveniently located
in Southpark, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Practice areas include simple and complex estate planning, elder law, trust and estate administration, and adult guardianships.  Enjoy building long-lasting and personal relationships with my clients. Have a philosophy of working closely with clients and their financial and/or tax advisors in a team approach.

Originally from the Midwest, I came south to escape the cold and to pursue my life's path of helping others. Helping those around me recognize, claim, and use their voice - that is what I have spent my adult life doing - first as a counselor, and now as an attorney.. For years, I saw how the law seemed out of reach and completely foreign to many in our communities. I am here to make the law approachable, useful, and to ensure my client's voice is always heard.. "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." - Shirley Chisholm

North Carolina native Ryan D. Stump is an accomplished Estate Planning lawyer with over 12 years of experience in the legal profession and a passion for helping clients achieve peace of mind knowing their family, wealth, and assets are protected for the future.. Ryan handles a wide range of Estate Planning matters, from Wills and Trusts to Powers of Attorney and estate tax planning. Whether you want to create a comprehensive Estate plan, draft a Will to ensure your assets are disbursed per your wishes, establish a Trust for your loved ones, or ensure your affairs will be properly managed in the future through the use of Powers of Attorney, Ryan can guide you as you prepare for the future. Ryan emphasizes a tailored, personal approach to estate planning and believes working as a team is the best way to meet client goals — not some cookie-cutter solution.. BackgroundRyan received his bachelor’s degree from Campbell University, majoring in Trust and Investment Management and minoring in Financial Planning. After beginning his career as a Trust Officer with Regions Morgan Keegan, he returned to school and received a law degree from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.. Real-World ExperienceMr. Stump’s real-world experience sets him apart as an Estate Planning attorney in Charlotte. His educational background prepared him to implement and develop sophisticated tax, financial, and Estate Planning strategies. As a Trust Officer, he provided hands-on guidance to clients regarding trust and estate matters.. Ryan has personally dealt with the fallout from family members who failed to properly plan while they were alive. He understands the common pitfalls of poor planning and knows how Estate Planning documents are administered from a practical perspective. This experience and know-how fuel Mr. Stump’s enthusiasm for helping others provide for their loved ones and protect their assets while navigating the complex area of Estate Planning.. Outside the office, Ryan likes to play golf, scuba dive, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Nancy Roberts is the Founder and Managing Member of the Law Office of Nancy L. Roberts, PLLC. Nancy focuses her practice exclusively on estate planning, probate, and elder law. Nancy is driven to help others prevent estate planning problems after enduring almost seven years of probate and litigation over her mother's will. She uses that experience to identify estate planning issues early and help other families avoid problems.. A native North Carolinian, Nancy Roberts is also one of those rare people who was born and raised in Charlotte. Nancy graduated from UNC Charlotte (#Charlottestrong) and attended law school in Columbia, South Carolina. She is a member of both the North Carolina and South Carolina Bars. After finishing law school cum laude, Nancy had the opportunity to work at the South Carolina Court of Appeals and learn the law from nine brilliant appellate judges, including noted jurist and author, the Honorable C. Tolbert Goolsby, Jr. After leaving the Court of Appeals, Nancy served as an Assistant Attorney General in Criminal Appeals in the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, litigated health, environmental, nursing home, and nurse-aid abuse cases on behalf of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court.. Nancy Roberts is dedicated to providing information about estate planning to the community. She  wrote the book, Planning Your Estate in the Carolinas, to take the mystery out of estate planning and show individuals and families like yours why it is so important to get a plan in place. Nancy understands and is here to help you get the peace of mind that comes from having a plan.. When she is not working, Nancy loves spending time with her family and rescue pets, traveling, and exploring new restaurants.

My practice is really all about my clients.  They talk, I listen,  I ask questions, they tell me what is important to them, what they value, and what they wish to see happen in the event they become disabled or when they die.. To help break the ice with new clients, I frequently wear neckties that are a little out of the ordinary (i.e. No Boring Ties!).  As you can see from the picture in the section below.  If you look at the photo at the top of the page, you'll see that it doesn't hurt if you lose 30 pounds and get a new hair style, too.. Even though we are planning for unhappy events, we still can enjoy today, and laugh at some of my strange neckties, too.

Michael was raised on the south side of Chicago and used the poverty and violence to fuel his passion for success.. Michael Hoard has been licensed in Illinois since 1999.. He worked as a prosecutor and argued appeals in the Illinois Appellate Court and Supreme Court.. He was co-founder of a small firm, which helped clients with criminal matters, real estate transactions, bankruptcies, personal injuries, and other matters requiring litigation.. He worked as a corporate attorney for the Northern Trust Company but left to pursue his dream of having his own firm.

Michael Kemmy is the first member of the Mecklenburg Bar to be board-certified by the North Carolina Bar as an Elder Law Specialist. With more than 30 years of experience, Michael is adept at handling Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law matters.. Before moving to Charlotte, Michael was in private practice in Houston, TX. He also worked for the Internal Revenue Service as an estate and gift tax attorney. He is a member of the State Bars in Texas and Kansas as well as in North Carolina.. A frequent lecturer on probate and estate planning, Michael has produced two educational videos on wills and trusts. Additionally, he has provided pro bono consultations to the elderly residents at the Carriage Club of Charlotte.. Michael is married with two children. He joined Lou Trosch and T.C. Conrad in their law practice in 1987 and became a partner in 1992. Michael’s father was an attorney and a Special Agent of the FBI in San Antonio, TX. Michael’s brother is a practicing attorney in San Antonio.  Michael has been rated in a confidential survey of area judges and attorneys as having high to very high legal ability and very high ethical standards.

Mark D. Gott’s legal journey began as an Assistant Clerk for the Mecklenburg County Superior Court, where he presided over incompetency hearings, foreclosures, adoptions, and probate matters. Today, Mark focuses on elder abuse and guardianship cases, while also managing residential, tax, and commercial foreclosures. His extensive experience, gained from both the clerk’s office and private practice, allows him to handle complex legal matters with confidence. Mark is deeply involved in the Mecklenburg County Bar, teaching continuing education courses for attorneys and providing legal education to the public. Clients describe Mark as professional, personable, and transparent. He ensures clients understand potential costs upfront and maintains open communication throughout their cases. This commitment has earned him a stellar reputation, with over twenty years of practice free from fee disputes. Outside the office, Mark enjoys family time with his wife and three children. He is also passionate about martial arts, practicing Gracie jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga.

Licensed as an attorney in both North and South Carolina, Elizabeth focuses her legal practice on estate planning, estate administration, and guardianships. Elizabeth developed a love for the law while growing up in her mother’s trusts and estates law firm in Jacksonville, Florida, but it was not until after she graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in music and earned a master’s degree in arts administration from Florida State University that she decided to pursue a career in law. Elizabeth graduated from the Charlotte School of Law magna cum laude, ranked third in her class. While a law student, she served as a legal intern for both the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service and the Western North Carolina Low Income Taxpayer Clinic through Legal Services of Southern Piedmont.  Elizabeth also participated in the Pro Bono Wills Clinic and earned Pro Bono Leadership Awards from the North Carolina Bar Association and Charlotte School of Law for her work with Wills for Heroes and the Mecklenburg County Self-Serve Center. In addition to earning awards for the top grades in both of her legal research and writing courses as well as classes in elder law and federal income tax, Elizabeth was a research assistant for Professor Camille Davidson, a member of an award-winning Moot Court team, and Senior Editor of the Charlotte Law Review, which published her casenote, “A Post-Ahlborn Analysis of the Supreme Court of North Carolina’s Decision in Andrews v. Haygood.” The position of this casenote was adopted in 2012 by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in E.M.A. ex rel. Plyler v. Cansler. After earning her Juris Doctor degree and passing both the North and South Carolina bar examinations, Elizabeth completed her legal training by earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Taxation from the prestigious graduate tax program at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. Even before earning a J.D. and LL.M., Elizabeth knew that her legal career would focus on trusts and estates. Growing up in her mother’s law firm, she learned first-hand how rewarding a career in estate planning and administration can be both personally and professionally. Her academic and professional experiences have only strengthened her enthusiasm for this area of the law, and she looks forward to sharing this passion with her clients.

John is very active in the community and local bar. John served a three-year term on the vestry of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church from 2008 to 2011, concluding by serving as Senior Warden. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Lawyers Section of the Mecklenburg County Bar, as the co-chair for the Mecklenburg County Bar Swearing-In Ceremony for five years, and as a member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Appellate Rules Committee since 2003.

Jim Hickmon is certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Board Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and is a Certified Financial Planner®. In addition to Super Lawyers, he is recognized through peer review by Martindale Hubbell as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer and at Business North Carolina Legal Elite. He serves as an adjunct professor of law at Wake Forest University teaching Wealth Transfer and Fiduciary Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates to upper-level law students. Jim is admitted to practice before the State Bars of North Carolina and Virginia.Jim is passionate about protecting family and closely held business owners through succession planning that protects family assets after the owner’s death keeping family businesses within families. He has counseled families with businesses across a spectrum of industries, from farming to real estate development and trucking to software engineering. He is the author of numerous articles surrounding this subject focusing on wealth transfer, tax, probate, and fiduciary responsibility. Jim’s work is published in both regional and national publications, including the Bureau of National Affairs’ Tax Management and Compensation Planning Journal. He is a contributing author to the North Carolina Bar Association’s Estate Administration Manual and Fiduciary Litigation holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, an MBA from East Carolina University and his law degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law.. Jim has involved himself in a number of charitable and community service organizations at the local, state, and national levels.  He was selected by his fellow members of the Bar as a member of Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite in the field of Tax and Estate Planning Law for 2010 and 2012. He is a member of the Charlotte chapter of the Financial Planning Association and the Charlotte Estate Planning Council.

Ivan is an intelligent and compassionate lawyer who always listens to his clients to fully assess their legal needs. He works vigorously to ensure all of his clients obtain their desired results.. Ivan was born in a small town near Buffalo, New York. When he was in second grade, Ivan's class had a career day where they were to dress for the career that they wanted and give a brief presentation about what the job entailed. Believe it or not, Ivan dressed as an attorney and spoke about how he wanted to help people that were in trouble. Ivan has not lost this desire to help people that are in any kind of trouble. Whether your problems are legal or otherwise, Ivan will listen to your concerns and do whatever he can to assist you.. Ivan attended the University of North Carolina - Wilmington, where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in business administration. He subsequently attended law school at the Charlotte School of Law earning his Juris Doctorate degree in May of 2012. Ivan sat for and passed the North Carolina bar exam in July 2012.

I was born in Colombia, South America. Moved to Charlotte, NC from Miami Fl in 1999. I attended Western Carolina University and University of North Carolina Charlotte for my undergraduate degree. I have worked in various law firms and owned a translation company before attending Charlotte School of Law, where I received my Juris Doctor. I have experience in many areas of practice including: Real Estate, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Worker’s Compensation, Immigration, and Family. I am also fluent in Spanish.

I opened K.S. Walker Law Group in November, 2021 after 23 years in the legal services industry.  I began my legal career in 1998 as a secretary and receptionist for solo practictioner in Charlotte. I graduated from UNC-Charlotte in 2005 with a bachelors degree in Communications, and then from Charlotte School of Law in 2011 with a Juris Doctorate.  I was admitted to practice in the state of South Carolina in February, 2013.  I worked at Miller Walker & Austin, Attorneys at Law until November, 2021.  At K.S. Walker Law Group we are dedicated to serving our community and clients with diligent, responsive and thorough legal advice in the areas of real estate, business law, estate planning and estate administration. Let us know how we can help you!  FOR TRANSACTIONS YOU CAN TRUST, choose K.S. Walker Law Group.

I not only enjoy finding the best possible legal resolution to each case that I handle, but I truly enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level. Providing effective and competent legal representation is not possible without a true understanding of each client's unique circumstances.  My goal is to provide excellent legal representation with real results in a cost efficient manner.

I look forward to becoming your trusted advisor in Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Real Estate Matters that deserve the upmost respect and detail.

I have been a board-certified family law specialist since 2010. I dedicate my practice to family law matters, such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, post-separation support, step-parent and family member adoptions, alienation of affection and criminal conversation cases, and post-judgment practice, including contempt motions appeals.  You can follow the Horack Talley Family Law Practice Group on Facebook at  and instagram at @HTfamilylaw.