What do you like best about your community or clients in North Carolina? 

I'm born and raised in Raleigh, so I may be a little biased, but in my opinion, it's one of the best places in the country. Geographically, being in Raleigh, I can drive four hours west to the mountains or four miles east to the Outer Banks. This geographic diversity is reflected in our people. Our metropolitan areas are some of the most educationally rich in the country, thanks to universities like Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, and several others.  Yet, farming and agriculture are ingrained in our way of life, calling me to interact with people from all walks, from rural farmers to big-tech CEOs in the Research Triangle Park area. This diversity is something I love about my day-to-day work.

What do clients in your community ask the most questions about at your workshops? 

The most common questions I get in my workshops generally revolve around how to make things as efficient and seamless for their loved ones when they're gone. People also express concerns in regard to government entities such as medicaid or buyers from out-of-state taking their land.

What makes Oath Law the best practice for estate planning, in your opinion? 

We focus exclusively on estate planning. Many other firms treat estate planning as a side hustle to keep the lights on, but we do this every single day. We maintain relationships with our clients throughout their lives and extend this to their beneficiaries and children. Not many other law firms do that. We ensure clients' affairs are handled properly and consistently.

What's a story you frequently tell at your estate planning workshops? 

One of my passions is looking out for blended families. Most people don't realize that stepchildren are not considered by the state's default plan unless something is in writing. When I tell people this, they're often shocked.

Are there any state-specific documents that you prepare for clients? 

While our documents are state-specific in the sense that they reference North Carolina law, these documents ought to be recognized anywhere.  With that being said, our power-of-attorney and health-care documents are state specific, and I highly recommend having them updated if you are new to the state, or if you haven't had these documents drafted for yourself.

Most expensive probate cost in North Carolina: 

The most expensive probates cases generally arise when the personal representative, or executor (often a child of the decedent) are located out of state, too busy with family or business, or just not financially savvy - this all too often means this individual will need to hire a probate attorney, who then will bill hourly and is not cheap.  This scenario is where costs can add up significantly.

What topics come up at your estate planning workshops? 

Clients typically have questions about probate, tax implications, Medicaid, and how to protect their assets.

What are some of you favorite communities you visit?

Being from Raleigh, I love staying local and seeing familiar faces. I also enjoy visiting Rocky Mount and Clayton, North Carolina. These towns remind me of Mayberry from "The Andy Griffith Show" with their small-town charm and single stoplight feel. Sitting in a diner in these towns is always enjoyable.

What's an impactful story you've experienced with clients? 

In rural areas, we often deal with very large families. Without a will or trust, property goes to heirs in equal shares, leading to fragmentation. Setting up trusts or wills allows clients to organize their assets and ensure everyone is treated fairly according to their wishes. This organization helps maintain peace and provides significant impact.

Have you ever had a client reach out too late?

I recently met with a gentleman who just got out of the hospital. It's not too late yet, but we're expediting his documents as he may not have much time left. This is the closest I've come to a situation where it might be too late.