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estate planning wills and trusts

Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan?

Insights from an Estate Planning Attorney in Davidson, NC If you’re part of the sandwich generation (caring for your kids and your parents at the same time) you’ve got a lot on your plate. Between juggling work, family, and everything in between, the idea of sitting down with your parents to talk about estate planning might not sound fun. But here’s the truth: having that conversation is one of the most important—and loving—things [...]

By |2025-10-20T15:12:02-04:00October 20, 2025|Beneficiary Designation, estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Probate|Comments Off on Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan?

Why Unmarried Couples Need an Estate Plan That Actually Protects Them

Love today doesn’t always come with a marriage certificate and that’s perfectly okay. But if you’re in a long-term relationship and not legally married, it’s crucial to understand how that affects your financial and legal protection. Without the legal safeguards that marriage provides, unmarried partners face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, medical decision-making, and inheritance rights. The good news? With a solid plan in place, you can make sure your [...]

By |2025-10-14T09:19:11-04:00October 14, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Probate|Comments Off on Why Unmarried Couples Need an Estate Plan That Actually Protects Them

Why Business Owners Deserve More Than a Quick or Cheap Estate Plan

If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably seen the ads: “Create your estate plan online in 30 minutes!” Or maybe your financial advisor has offered to throw in some basic estate documents as part of your financial plan. Easy, fast, and inexpensive — sounds tempting, right? The problem is that if you own a business, these cookie-cutter solutions can do more harm than good. What’s often missing is the critical link between your [...]

By |2025-09-26T14:17:20-04:00September 30, 2025|Beneficiary Designation, estate planning wills and trusts|Comments Off on Why Business Owners Deserve More Than a Quick or Cheap Estate Plan

Estate Planning Myths vs. Facts: What Families in Lake Norman Need to Know

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 [...]

By |2025-09-26T11:30:35-04:00September 26, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning|Comments Off on Estate Planning Myths vs. Facts: What Families in Lake Norman Need to Know

The $1.5 Million Estate Planning Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make

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 [...]

By |2025-09-19T12:37:00-04:00September 19, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts|Comments Off on The $1.5 Million Estate Planning Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make

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 [...]

By |2025-09-19T12:33:11-04:00September 12, 2025|Beneficiary Designation, estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Probate|Comments Off on Nobody Prepared Me for This: The Reality of Managing Inherited Real Estate

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 [...]

By |2025-09-19T12:33:11-04:00September 12, 2025|estate planning wills and trusts, Family in Estate Planning, Probate|Comments Off on Why Proper Estate Planning Matters More Than Just Documents

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 |2025-09-19T12:33:11-04:00March 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

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 |2025-09-19T12:33:11-04:00March 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 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 |2025-09-19T12:33:12-04:00February 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
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