Trusts and Estate Planning Attorney
Control and clarity for your legacy
A living trust to streamline transfers
A revocable living trust helps pass assets privately and efficiently, and it allows a successor trustee to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. For many Charlotte families, a trust complements a will and reduces court involvement. Explore our wills page to see how these documents work together in a complete plan.
Built for your exact needs
Drafting, coordination, and funding support
We assess whether a trust is the right tool based on your assets and goals. If it is, we draft a clear, revocable trust and a pour-over will, then guide you through funding so the trust actually works. Funding includes retitling real estate, updating account ownership, and aligning beneficiary designations. For incapacity planning, learn about power of attorney options that complement a trust.
Common trust choices
- Revocable living trusts for probate simplicity
- Trusts for minor children and staged inheritances
- Special needs planning to protect benefits
- Marital and family planning options
- Successor trustee instructions and backups
Fund it right the first time
Multiple properties or states
If you own a condo in uptown and a beach place at Oak Island, a trust can avoid separate probates and keep the process smooth for your family.
Privacy and flexibility
A revocable trust is private and changeable during your life, letting you adjust the plan as your family, assets, or North Carolina law evolves.
Common questions
Trust planning in North Carolina
Do I still need a will if I have a trust.
Yes. A pour-over will catches assets not titled to the trust and names guardians for minor children.
Does a living trust reduce taxes.
A standard revocable trust does not reduce income or estate taxes by itself. The benefits are control, privacy, and probate efficiency.
Can I be my own trustee.
Most clients serve as initial trustee and name a trusted successor to step in if they cannot manage.
What happens if I forget to fund the trust.
Unfunded trusts fail to deliver their benefits. We provide a funding checklist and support so assets are properly aligned.
See if a trust fits your goals
Work with The Law Office of Algernon Williams to design and fund a trust that reflects your wishes.