Top Best Estate Lawyers | 18049 Available

I love my clients and they love the level of service they receive from working with a Personal Family Lawyer firm like Blue Ridge Legacy Law.. That's because I don't just see the attorney-client relationship as a transaction. I truly see it as a lifelong realtionship where I'm there for you and your loved ones not just as your estate planning attorney, but as your trusted advisor.. I live in Highlands, NC with my husband, John and our beloved yellow labrador retriever, Huckleberry. It is my pleasure and honor to provide estate planning services for Western North Carolina and North Georgia residents.

In high school my grandfather died without a will. He was a very successful, smart, business owner. Unfortunately, the federal government took 70% of his estate due to dying intestate, and impacted his legacy. Many people, today, do not have an estate plan. I entered the industry to help those desiring a plan, to protect what matters, and leave a legacy.

It is my goal to reduce unecessary estate-related lawsuits with proactive estate planning and thoughtful estate administration. When a dispute arises nonetheless, I offer a non-lawsuit option for its resolution through the Collaborative Law method.. I practice in "estates" law, which has 3 basic components: (1) PLANNING, i.e., writing documents (2) ADMINISTRATION, i.e., putting documents into action, and (3) DISPUTE RESOLUTION, i.e., fixing issues arising in the planning and administration phase.. The best way to head-off a dispute is with a proper estate plan that is properly administered, but sometimes the water has gone under the bridge and you find yourself in a conflict nonetheless. I conducted estate law litigation (trusts, wills, powers of attorney) for over 5 years, handling several multi-million-dollar matters. Though litigation is the best choice in some cases, I realized that in most cases litigation is not the best choice because it too often needlessly sacrifices both (1) money, and (2) family relationships. The "sacrifice" is a byproduct of the nature lawsuits. This realization led me to become trained in Collaborative Law, a promising new dispute resolution method for resolving legal disputes outside of court but still achieving a legally binding resolution you can rely on. I promise to do everything in my power to aid my clients in avoiding unnecessary litigation.. The law should be and must become more accessible to the average person. I am firmly committed to being a part of that change. I do not charge for initial 1/4 hour consultations if I am not ultimately retained. My fees are competitive, but they are also flexible given certain circumstances. I have been honored to represent some clients at reduced rates, payment plans, and contingency fees. Of course, my ability to charge less in some cases stems from charging a standard rate in most cases. I would be pleased to confidentially discuss your situation with you.

Susan Williams Matthews focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, business and corporate law, and land use and zoning. She is a third-generation Catawba County attorney with a deep-rooted respect for the practice of law and passion for continuing her family’s tradition of serving individuals and businesses in the Catawba Valley and surrounding areas.. Susan has the capability and talent typically associated with large law firm attorneys—she began her career with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP in Charlotte, North Carolina—but enjoys providing clients with the personal, attentive relationship that can only be fostered in a smaller community. The ability to develop long-term working relationships with clients is part of what drew her back to this area.. Susan regularly assists individuals in the development and preparation of their estate plans and in the administration of a deceased loved one’s estate. She has considerable experience advising businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries.. Susan began her career as a litigator, representing various North Carolina public entities, corporations and individuals before state, federal and appellate courts. This experience better equips her to counsel clients on strategies for minimizing litigation risks, and to develop creative solutions for dispute resolution. Susan is also the primary attorney responsible for the firm’s land use and zoning practice.. Susan graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2008 and earned her B.A. from Furman University, magna cum laude, in 2005.. She was named a “Rising Star” for the second, consecutive year in North Carolina’s 2017 Super Lawyers publication. Super Lawyers uses a patented multiphase process involving nominations and evaluations by other lawyers as well as independent research to rate attorneys. The “Rising Star” award is given to attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or have practiced less than 10 years. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in North Carolina are selected to receive this honor.. Susan lives in Hickory with her husband Andrew, a Conover native, and their daughter and twin sons.

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.

I am the Managing Partner of Ingalls Law, PLLC. My practice focuses on providing comprehensive Estate Planning services for the modern professional. I graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science, and received my Doctor of Law three years later. I have been admitted to the North Carolina State Bar and the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.. I have represent clients in the areas of Estate Planning, Business Development, Litigation, Workers' Compensation, Employment Discrimination, and Personal Injury. I have also represented employees and employers in hundreds of unemployment benefits hearings throughout North Carolina.. In addition to my law practice, I am a member of the the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, North Carolina Bar Association, Mecklenburg County Bar Association, and the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.

Debra Foster is a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.  She focuses her practice on estate planning and estate administration matters.  Debra is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and for seven years she served on the North Carolina State Bar committee charged with the certification of qualified attorneys in this area of practice.  In 2009-2010, Debra chaired the North Carolina State Bar Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Committee.  She is a past Chair of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, having served as its Vice-Chair, its Secretary, and as the Chair of the Section's Continuing Legal Education Committee for two years.  She now serves on the Section's Ethics Committee.  Debra is a member of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council and has lectured and continues to lecture extensively on matters pertaining to estate planning and charitable giving.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Jonathan Meek received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Shenandoah University in 2004. He worked for two years in the banking industry, becoming well-versed in the areas of retirement planning and asset management. In 2007, he left the financial arena to attend Charlotte School of Law. Three years later he received his Juris Doctor from the school and passed the 2010 NC Bar Exam. He began practicing in Mecklenburg County on Oct. 1, 2010, and subsequently founded Meek Law Firm.. As a small business owner, Meek has a passion for working with others who found and work for small- and medium-sized businesses. His goal is to not only help them protect and grow their businesses but also to resolve any personal legal issues they might face along the way.. Meek is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Mecklenburg County Bar Association, and the North Carolina State Bar. He is also on the board of Open Aperture Productions, a legal videography firm that he began in 2003. In addition, he participated in many hours of pro bono service during his law school career, including an externship with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney.

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.

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.

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.

Christopher J. Leddy, Jr. was born in the Catskill mountains of upstate New York. Chris moved to Stuart, Florida with his family at the age of 5. Growing up in the Sunshine State is what sparked his love and desire to practice in very focused areas of the law: Estate Planning & Elder Law. Prior to beginning his career, Chris worked diligently over a four year period to obtain the Gold Congressional Award Medal. During 2007, this honor was bestowed upon only 273 youth across the nation who completed over 400+ hours of community service, 200+ hours of physical fitness, 200+ hours of personal development, and a 4 night expedition. Chris learned valuable life lessons while completing these goals that he still uses to this day.. Chris attended the University of South Florida (USF) for his undergraduate studies. He received his Bachelor's Degree with a double-major in Political Science and History. This degree focus has fostered both a passion for civic engagement and a love for the United States military. Upon graduation from USF, Chris spent the beginning years of his professional career working for the Martin County Supervisor of Elections in Stuart, Florida. This experience fostered his love for elder law issues and it was after this experience that Chris decided to pursue a legal career.. During law school, Chris clerked for a private firm that focused on Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Elder Law issues such as Medicaid Pre-Planning, Medicaid Crisis Planning and Veterans Affairs Aid & Attendance. Chris was also a member of Moot Court Team during law school, where he competed in the Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition. His passion for appellate advocacy and civil litigation stems from this experience. Upon graduation, Chris worked for a small Estate Planning firm in Fort Mill, SC while he studied for, sat for, and passed the South Carolina Bar Exam. The following July, Chris sat for, and passed, the North Carolina Bar Exam.. Chris takes pride is a "client-first" approach as well as his attention to detail. His main focus is to assist clients leverage their options to maximize their wealth, in order to preserve their heritage and legacy for future generations. These foundations have provided the Heritage Law Firm mission, "Your Life, Our Passion.". On a personal note, Chris is married to the love of his life, Macy. The two live in Indian Land, SC with their beautiful daughter, Kinsley, and their three dogs, Daisy, Bailey, & Kahlua. Chris & Macy are active parishioners at St. Matthews Church in Ballantyne.

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.