Estate Planning Blog

When it comes to estate planning, misinformation is everywhere. From social media snippets to coffee shop conversations, it’s easy to hear something that sounds right but isn’t. Unfortunately, believing these myths can leave your family vulnerable to unnecessary taxes, legal headaches, or even court battles. At O’Day Law Firm, we help families in Davidson and the Lake Norman area cut through the noise. Let’s bust some of the most common estate planning myths [...]

Imagine this: You’ve spent years building a business, saving, investing, and creating a comfortable life for your family. You’ve got an estate plan in place and assume everything will run smoothly when the time comes. But then—because of one overlooked detail—your family ends up with a tax bill in the millions. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a theoretical horror story. It has happened to real families, and it can happen here in North Carolina [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]