Raleigh Estate Planning Lawyer

Plan Now So Your Family Is Protected Later

Most people know they should get their affairs in order, yet it is easy to put off decisions about illness, aging, and death. When life changes quickly, an up-to-date estate plan can make the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful, expensive process for your family.

At Hicks-Guinn Law, PLLC, we help individuals and families turn those worries into a clear, written plan.  Attorney Robyn Hicks-Guinn focuses on guiding clients through wills, powers of attorney, and other planning tools that reflect real lives, not just legal forms.

Our firm combines legal training with personal experience and a strong understanding of North Carolina law. We take time to learn about your family, your assets, and your wishes, then work with you to build a plan that feels thoughtful, practical, and achievable.

Seek experienced assistance from a qualified estate attorney Call (888) 373-9699 or contact us right away to secure your consultation.

Our Estate Planning Approach

When you come to us, you are not just asking for documents. You are asking for clarity about how to protect the people and the legacy that matter to you. Our goal is to listen first, then design an estate plan that fits your life, your family dynamics, and your financial picture.

We begin by learning about your goals. This may include caring for a spouse, protecting children from receiving too much too soon, providing for a loved one with special needs, or planning for charitable giving. We then look at your assets as a whole, including your home, retirement accounts, life insurance, and any business interests, so your plan reflects the full picture.

Attorney Robyn Hicks-Guinn draws on both professional and personal experience when talking through these issues. Many clients find that it helps to work with an estate planning lawyer who has seen firsthand how careful planning can ease stress, and how the lack of planning can create conflict or confusion. This perspective shapes the careful way we approach each decision with you.

We also understand that comfort and access matter, especially when health issues or caregiving responsibilities are involved. When appropriate, we strive to meet clients at their home or in a hospital, so important planning conversations can still happen when coming to an office is difficult. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and explain each step in plain language.

Our commitment to education extends beyond our own clients. Attorney Hicks-Guinn teaches Continuing Legal Education programs for other attorneys on estate planning topics. This role reflects our ongoing effort to stay current on developments in North Carolina law and to share that knowledge in a way that benefits the people we serve.

What A North Carolina Estate Plan Includes

Estate planning in North Carolina is more than signing a will. A well designed plan coordinates several documents so that your wishes are clear if you become unable to manage your affairs during life and after you pass away. We work with you to decide which tools make sense for your situation.

Most clients start with a will. A will typically states who receives your property at death, who will serve as your personal representative, and who will care for minor children. For many residents of Raleigh, an estate that requires probate is handled through the probate division of the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. A clear will can make that process more straightforward for those you leave behind.

Planning for incapacity is just as important as planning for death. A financial power of attorney allows you to choose someone to handle financial or legal matters if you cannot act for yourself. Health care directives, such as a health care power of attorney and a living will, allow you to appoint a decision maker and express your preferences regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate.

Some families benefit from adding one or more trusts to their plan. Trusts can help manage the timing of distributions, provide ongoing management for a loved one, or coordinate with life insurance and retirement accounts. Whether a trust is helpful depends on your goals, your assets, and your family circumstances, and we take time to discuss these questions with you.

Common components we may discuss include:

• Last will and testament
• Financial power of attorney
• Health care power of attorney
• Living will or advance directive
• Trusts tailored to your needs
• Beneficiary designations that align with your plan

Our role is to explain how these pieces fit together under North Carolina law so that you can make informed choices. We translate legal requirements into everyday language and connect each document to specific scenarios you may face in the Raleigh area. Connect with a qualified estate planning attorney right away.

How Our Raleigh Estate Planning Process Works

Many people delay planning because they are not sure what the process involves. We work to make each step straightforward and manageable, whether you are planning well in advance or addressing urgent health concerns.

The first step is a conversation. During an initial call or meeting, we talk about your goals, your family, and any immediate concerns. We also discuss the types of documents that may be appropriate, the general timeline, and what information you will need to gather. This is your opportunity to ask questions and to see whether we are a good fit for your needs.

Next, we gather information about your assets, existing documents, and key people in your life. We use this information to design a draft plan that reflects your priorities. When we review the drafts with you, we go page by page, explain what each provision means, and answer your questions. We encourage you to take time to think and to involve trusted family members when appropriate.

We understand that some clients in the Raleigh area face health issues or mobility challenges. When needed, we can adjust how we meet, whether at our office, by phone or video, or by arranging to meet in a home or hospital setting. Our focus is on making sure that you can complete your planning in a way that is accessible and respectful of your circumstances.

Our typical planning steps include:

• Initial consultation to understand your goals and concerns
• Information gathering about your family, assets, and existing documents
• Design of a customized plan that reflects North Carolina requirements
• Review meeting to walk through drafts and make revisions
• Supervised signing to help ensure documents are properly executed
• Follow up to discuss storage, next steps, and future updates

At every stage, we aim to keep communication clear and responsive. We want you to leave the process feeling that you understand your documents and that your questions were taken seriously. Working with an estate attorney should bring clarity, not confusion, and we align our process with that goal.

Planning For Your Family and Legacy

No two families in Raleigh look the same, and no two estate plans should either. We take time to understand your relationships so that your plan supports the people in your life in a thoughtful way. This includes planning for minor children, adult children, blended families, aging parents, and loved ones with health or financial challenges.

Parents of young children often focus on naming guardians and choosing who will manage finances for their children until they are mature enough to handle money themselves. We talk through practical questions such as the values of potential guardians, where children might live, and how funds should be used for education and other needs.

For blended families, planning may involve balancing care for a current spouse with providing for children from a prior relationship. Without a clear plan, North Carolina’s default rules may not reflect your wishes, which can increase the risk of conflict. We work carefully with you to outline how, when, and to whom assets should pass in a way that fits your situation.

Many clients are also caring for older relatives or loved ones with special needs. Coordinating your plan with benefits, long-term care concerns, and support needs requires attention to detail. Attorney Hicks-Guinn’s experience with both the legal and human sides of these questions helps us have honest conversations about what is realistic and how to reduce stress on future caregivers.

Business owners in the Raleigh area have additional considerations, such as succession planning, protecting business value, and coordinating ownership interests with personal estate plans. We look at how your company fits into your broader goals so that your plan supports both your family and the long-term future of your work.

Throughout these discussions, we focus on your legacy, which includes more than money. Your plan can reflect personal values, guide future decision makers, and express care for the people and causes that matter most to you.

Act fast to connect with an experienced Raleigh estate planning attorney. Use our online form to begin right away.