Few people want to think about what would happen to their family if they become disabled or die; however, planning for these occurrences in advance will reduce potential stress on your family later in life. This new book will take the guesswork out of planning your estate and help you finally understand the complex processes. The right plan can protect the value of your estate and spare your loved ones unnecessary hassles and legal conflicts. Your North Carolina Wills, Trusts, & Estates will help you glide through this complicated process. This new book has been adapted to offer North Carolina residents state-specific advice for estate planning. Author Linda C. Ashar, Attorney at Law, has crafted an estate planning primer, allowing North Carolina residents to become more informed and more involved during the process. Your North Carolina Wills, Trusts, & Estates will provide all the information you need to choose, set up, and execute a will, trust, or estate. You will learn the legal terminology, including beneficiary, probate, trustor, trustee, assets, guardianship, and executor. You will also learn about trust agreements, trust property, settlement costs, life insurance, durable power of attorney, marital deductions, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, tax deferred accounts, and advance directives. North Carolina -specific information is offered throughout this book, including: North Carolina probate code; North Carolina rules, regulations, and laws specific to estate planning; elements of a valid North Carolina will; planning your living will in North Carolina; explanations of North Carolina laws regarding durable health care power of attorneys, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and directives to withhold CPR. The book's easy-to-understand context clarifies this complicated and sensitive subject and gives readers the power to take control of their future. Whether you are writing your will, establishing a trust, planning your estate for the first time, or updating and revising your previous plans, Your North Carolina Wills, Trusts, & Estates will give you all the tools and knowledge you need to decide where and to whom your assets will go when you die. Other books offer a non-state-specific overview of estate planning, causing many readers to be misinformed about rules and regulations particular to their state; but, this new book provides information North Carolina residents need to know. Do not get outdated or wrong information that does not pertain to you specifically. Use this new book to craft an estate plan that is not only legally sound but also fully carries out your last wishes and protects your loved ones.