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About Kathleen O'Day

Kathleen O’Day is an estate planning will & trust attorney who helps families create clear, personalized plans to protect their legacy. With a background in both law and finance, she provides a holistic approach to estate planning. Kathleen is a licensed attorney by the State Bar of North Carolina.

Nobody Prepared Me for This: The Reality of Managing Inherited Real Estate

Losing a loved one is hard enough. But what most people don’t expect is what comes next: suddenly being responsible for their house. Maybe the home is sitting empty while you and your family decide what to do. Maybe you’re considering selling it, or maybe another family member hopes to move in one day. Whatever the plan, an inherited house often comes with more responsibility and stress than most people realize. Why an Empty House [...]

Why Proper Estate Planning Matters More Than Just Documents

When her father passed away, one woman thought she would inherit his home. Instead, she discovered months of unpaid mortgage bills piling up in the mailbox. Because her father never left a clear inventory of his assets and debts, she didn’t know where to begin. She tried to work with the bank, but without legal authority, her hands were tied. By the time the court finally named her estate administrator, the bank had [...]

Life Hacks That Backfire: Why Adding Your Child to Your Deed Is a Big No-No

We all love a good life hack. I’m a sucker for any Tiktok or Instagram reel that shows me inexpensive DIY cleaning hacks (with two kids playing soccer every day, I definitely spend too much money on deodorizing my car and house!) Finding a clever way to save time, money, or hassle is a universal win—except when it comes to estate planning. As a SurvivorSupport® attorney with 25 years of experience in estate [...]

By |2025-04-05T18:16:21-04:00March 31, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts|Comments Off on Life Hacks That Backfire: Why Adding Your Child to Your Deed Is a Big No-No

Why Every Parent of a Special Needs Child Needs a Special Needs Trust

Being a parent is a tough job - but being a parent to a child with special needs adds so many extra layers of responsibility - especially when it comes to financial security. Weaving through the maze of government benefits is difficult enough, so planning for after you are gone may seem overwhelming. Of course, you want to leave money to your child to ensure he or she has a comfortable life after [...]

By |2025-03-10T14:43:26-04:00March 10, 2025|Special Needs|Comments Off on Why Every Parent of a Special Needs Child Needs a Special Needs Trust

Polly McMittens, Protector of the Realm: Why Your Pets Need a Trust Too

Let me tell you about Polly McMittens. Polly wasn’t your average cat—she was more like a tiny, furry gangster. Fierce, mean, and unapologetic, she roamed our neighborhood like it was her personal kingdom, dominating everything (and everyone) she came across. No snake dared to slither across her domain, and no neighborhood dog left our yard without a few new claw marks (sorry neighbors!). Oh, and did I mention her secret underground lair? Yes, [...]

By |2025-08-25T15:09:31-04:00March 10, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Pet Trusts|Comments Off on Polly McMittens, Protector of the Realm: Why Your Pets Need a Trust Too

The Perils of Blended Families with no Estate Plan: How Your Kids Could Be Left with Nothing (and the Step Kids Could Get It All)

Picture this: You’ve spent over four decades building a life with your spouse. You worked hard as a team, raised kids together, and built a comfortable future. But after your spouse passes away from cancer, you meet someone new—someone who’s warm, understanding, and maybe even likes cheesy 80s movies as much as you do. So, you marry again. But then, one day, you unfortunately pass away, and your hard-earned assets —your home, your [...]

By |2025-03-10T14:38:30-04:00February 24, 2025|Family in Estate Planning|Comments Off on The Perils of Blended Families with no Estate Plan: How Your Kids Could Be Left with Nothing (and the Step Kids Could Get It All)

The DIY Estate Plan: The “Do it Yourself” Plan Might Just Cost You More Than You Expected

Ok, nobody loves a DIY project more than I do! From hanging wallpaper to refinishing furniture, I’ll tackle it all (and I have all the tools!). But even I know there are just some tasks better left to an expert. The same goes for estate planning. Everyone knows that the DIY approach can save a few bucks in the short term (and did I mention I’m cheap? I like a bargain too!). After [...]

By |2025-03-10T14:39:32-04:00February 10, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Uncategorized|Comments Off on The DIY Estate Plan: The “Do it Yourself” Plan Might Just Cost You More Than You Expected

What’s the difference between a Will and a Trust?

The most common – and usually confusing – question clients have asked during my 20+ years of estate planning experience is: “What is the difference between a will and a trust?” But also, “Are a will and a trust the same thing?” and “Does it matter whether I have a will or a trust?” No matter the question, comparing these two estate planning tools can be confusing! So let’s get to adulting, tackle [...]

By |2025-01-27T13:25:29-05:00January 27, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts|Comments Off on What’s the difference between a Will and a Trust?

How To Involve Your Family In Your Estate Plan

When deciding your estate plan, there are many things you have to think about. Choosing the right plan, executing and organizing the documents, and meeting with your attorney are all part of the job of planning what will happen to your estate. But one thing that is integral to the process is often the one reason you want to plan in the first place: your family. Even though you’re in the director’s chair it [...]

By |2024-09-12T19:12:38-04:00September 12, 2024|Family in Estate Planning|Comments Off on How To Involve Your Family In Your Estate Plan

Should I Have A Will Or A Trust In My Estate Plan?

There are many different ways to prepare for your future with your estate planning attorney. There are many different types of documents, plans, and decisions that you have to make when deciding how you want to distribute your estate. When looking at the options and deciding what estate plan is best for your situation, you may find yourself wondering: what is the difference between a will and a trust? How do I decide [...]

By |2025-01-10T23:02:11-05:00September 4, 2024|estate planning wills and trusts|Comments Off on Should I Have A Will Or A Trust In My Estate Plan?
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