Protect Your Family, Your Assets, and Your Peace of Mind
A real estate planning isn’t just a stack of signed documents—it’s the difference between your family having clarity when it matters most, and leaving them with confusion, conflict, and court dates. We help you avoid the latter.
At Saltaire Legacy Planning, we take the time to understand your full picture—your family, your assets, your business, your long-term goals—and build a plan that actually reflects your life. Not a template. Not a checkbox exercise. A strategy.
Our Estate Planning Services
Every plan we build is tailored—because no two families, and no two situations, are the same. Here’s what we typically include:
Wills
Your will is the foundation. It says who gets what, who raises your kids, and who's in charge of carrying out your wishes. Clear, specific, and legally sound—so there's no room for misinterpretation later.
Revocable Trusts
A revocable trust keeps your estate out of probate, your affairs private, and your family moving forward without delays. You stay in full control during your lifetime—and your loved ones have immediate access when they need it most.
Irrevocable Trusts
When protecting assets from creditors, reducing estate taxes, or planning for Medicaid eligibility is part of the picture, an irrevocable trust is one of the most powerful tools available. We'll help you understand when it makes sense—and build it right.
Powers of Attorney
If you're ever unable to manage your own finances, a power of attorney ensures someone you actually trust is handling things—not a court-appointed stranger. This one document can save your family enormous stress.
Medicaid Planning
Long-term care is expensive. Without a plan, it can wipe out everything you've worked for. We help you structure your assets to protect your wealth while positioning you—or a loved one—to qualify for the benefits you need.
Living Wills
When you can't speak for yourself, this document speaks for you. It tells your doctors and your family exactly what you want—and spares the people you love from having to make impossible decisions without guidance.
Answering Commonly Asked Estate Planning Questions
Does North Carolina have an estate tax?
Good news—North Carolina repealed its state estate tax in 2013, so your estate will only be subject to the federal estate tax. That said, the federal exemption is significant but not unlimited, and it’s subject to change with shifting legislation. For larger estates, business owners, and those with real estate holdings, federal estate tax planning still matters—and getting ahead of it is always the smarter move.
How does North Carolina treat assets passed to a surviving spouse?
North Carolina has specific elective share laws, meaning a surviving spouse has the right to claim a portion of the estate regardless of what the will says. Without a plan that accounts for this, distributions may not go the way you intended—especially in blended families or second marriages. A well-structured estate plan makes sure your wishes hold up and your spouse is provided for on your terms.
How do I make sure my minor children are protected in North Carolina?
A will allows you to name a guardian for your children—but without one, a North Carolina court decides who raises them. Beyond guardianship, a trust ensures that any assets left to your children are managed responsibly until they’re old enough to handle them on their own. These are two of the most important decisions a parent can make, and they’re ones we take seriously in every plan we build.
Can I leave my North Carolina home to my children without it going through probate?
Yes—but it requires the right structure in place ahead of time. Simply naming your children in a will isn’t enough; real property still passes through probate court. A trust or a lady bird deed can transfer your home directly to your children without court involvement, keeping the process simple and private.
What is the probate process like in North Carolina?
North Carolina probate is handled at the county level through the Clerk of Superior Court, and it can take anywhere from several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the estate. All filings are part of the public record. A well-drafted trust can bypass probate entirely—saving your family significant time, cost, and privacy during an already difficult period.
The Saltaire Legacy Planning Way
The attorney you choose should feel like a trusted advisor—someone who knows your name, your family, and what you’ve built. Nearly six years of helping families and business owners across North Carolina means you get a plan that holds up, grows with your life, and gives you genuine peace of mind.
Your estate plan and your financial plan should work together—not exist in separate systems. That means your CPA, your financial advisor, and your attorney all on the same page, building toward the same goals.
Because a plan that doesn’t account for your full picture isn’t really a plan at all.
Start Your Estate Plan Today
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating a plan you made years ago, we’ll make the process clear, efficient, and worth your time.
Schedule a consultation and leave with a plan you actually understand—and feel confident about.