One of the main reasons prompting a client to establish a business entity such as a North Carolina limited liability company or corporation is to limit liability from the business and protect his or her personal assets. As a general rule, business owners are not personally liable for company debts and obligations. However, if the [more]

You’ve lost a loved one. Let us offer our condolences. We recognize the days and weeks ahead will be difficult on many levels, not the least of which is preparing for North Carolina’s probate and estate administration procedure. Our experience suggests that the steps below apply in most circumstances and will help guide you through [more]

For the third consecutive year, Charlotte Magazine has recognized Charlotte trusts and estates attorney Allen R. Starrett as a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager in the estate planning category. “I’m humbled by this honor and thank my clients and peers for their support,” says Starrett. According to its site, “Five Star Professional provides localized, independent client [more]

North Carolina recognizes the validity of handwritten wills. Under NC law, a handwritten will must satisfy the following requirements: Written entirely in the handwriting of the testator (the will-maker); Subscribed by the testator, or with his name written in or on the will in his own handwriting; and, Found after the testator’s death among his [more]

Studies show that less than one-third of all adults in the United States have a living will or any type of advance directive. National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) began in 2008 as a grassroots initiative to address this problem by ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and [more]

Charlotte estate planning attorney Allen R. Starrett is now a North Carolina Liaison for National Healthcare Decisions Day. “I’m excited to be a part of such a worthwhile cause,” says Starrett. National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16) is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making [more]

The firm is happy to announce that the Charlotte Estate Planning Council has selected attorney Allen R. Starrett as its newest member. “I’m humbled to be chosen, and I look forward to leveraging my participation to benefit my clients,” says Starrett. According to its website, the mission of CEPC is to promote the interest of [more]

As my clients often hear me say, estate planning should be viewed as a process rather than a one-time event. Personal and financial circumstances change. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate your will, trust, health care power of attorney, and other estate plan documents periodically in light of all such changes and make revisions when [more]

This post is the third in a series of posts highlighting college savings options. I’ve blogged recently about the Coverdell Education Savings Account and the 529 Plan. Today, I’d like to turn the spotlight on the custodial account. A custodial account refers to an account under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act and the Uniform [more]

An executor is the person who is named in the will and appointed by the probate court to settle a decedent’s estate. Relatives, close friends, and trusted advisors are usually selected to serve as executor and perform a number of important duties. The list below is offered only as general guidance of some of the [more]