Estate planning
Most families in Cary and the greater Triangle area haven't gotten around to putting a formal estate plan in place — and that's exactly where we come in. As a fee-only advisor, we walk alongside you and a trusted Estate Attorney to build a plan that reflects your wishes and shields the people you love.
Avoiding Probate:
A big part of that process is helping you sidestep probate — the court-supervised system that takes over when no Trust exists. Even with a Will, your estate can be tied up in this process for over a year, can cost your heirs as high as 2%-5% of its total value in fees, and become fully public record. We help families in the Triangle structure their estates so assets transfer privately, efficiently, and exactly as intended — without a judge making the final call.
Beneficiary Reviews:
Every year we review our clients beneficiary deisngations on all of their accounts - are your assets getting passed down the way you want? You wouldn’t believe the amount of times we come across client accounts who would have been left to an ex-spouse, former friend, or deceased relative.
Will & Trust Review:
If you do have a Will or Trust in place - we review the core elements of your estate plan to make sure everything is properly aligned — your will reflects your current wishes, any trusts are funded correctly, and beneficiary designations are up to date across every account. One outdated form can override an otherwise well-crafted estate plan. We help you make sure every piece fits together.
Asset Protection & Succession Planning:
We also help protect what you've built from unforeseen risks — whether that means exploring trust structures, reviewing titling strategies, or coordinating insurance. For business owners, we can help map out succession plans that ensure a smooth transition, whether you're passing the business on, selling to a partner, or preparing it for the open market.