Action & Accountability
Estate Planning in Durham, NC
It’s not just for the rich and elderly. Serving clients throughout North Carolina.
No matter your needs, Ampersand Law will help create a blueprint for achieving your estate planning goals and taking action. Our process walks you through every step and decision you need to make so you’re not left guessing what’s next or if you’ve covered all your bases.
Fully customizable for every estate planning need, Ampersand Law’s comprehensive service offers the most flexible option for implementing an action plan and the necessary documents. This includes an initial consultation, drafting the necessary estate plan documents, revisions, and an appointment to execute the documents.
Although each estate plan is customized to that person’s particular needs and specific circumstances, these are the most common documents Heather creates for her clients:
Plan with confidence.
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Your Will is the first thing most people think of when considering estate planning. Ampersand Law knows that, and though this isn’t the only document you need, it’s a priority. A Will allows you to make decisions about your property (including your home and other assets) and specify who you want to manage this process on your behalf. You can also make provisions for minor children and/or pets in your Will via a testamentary trust and/or a guardianship nomination. A Will is a great way to provide certainty, create continuity, and reduce stress for yourself and your loved ones.
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What will happen when you need medical attention but can’t communicate what you want? Who will make your health care decisions? With a Health Care Power of Attorney with Advance Directives document, you can specify who you want to make medical decisions for and provide specific instructions about end-of-life treatment in certain scenarios. Creating this document is an act of self-empowerment and a gift that ensures your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted.
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If you have an accident or a medical emergency or have to leave town for an extended period, how will the day-to-day aspects of your life get taken care of? A Durable General Power of Attorney allows you to specify who you want to manage tasks such as paying bills, keeping your finances on track, managing your digital accounts (such as social media and email), and more. And the “durability” of this document means it stays in place even if you become legally incompetent to manage your affairs.
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You want your estate plan to be as comprehensive yet flexible as possible. You are ready to consolidate the management and control of your assets during your life and plan (or want the ability) to hand off that responsibility to someone else later. You want to avoid probate (due to the public records and/or the fees or for other reasons). You have a complex family situation or are a part of a blended family. You want to reduce the chances of legal disputes over your assets after you’re gone. A Revocable Living Trust is worth considering if one or more of these apply to you.
We make the process as simple as possible
Step one
Initial Consultation Meeting
Step Two
Complete Intake Forms & Sign Client Agreement
Step Three
We’ll Draft the Necessary Estate Plan Documents
Step Four
In-Person Signing Appointment
Step Five
Receive Your Documents & Next Steps Checklist
“Heather did an outstanding job working with my father-in-law to set up a revocable trust, general power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney. Heather listened carefully and made sure he knew all of his options. She patiently guided him through the process and was readily available to answer questions.”
Comprehensive Estate Planning Packages
Each estate plan is customized to you and your specific circumstances and we’re here to guide you through the process so you have exactly what you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.
But working with an attorney to create an estate plan costs money. There’s no way around that. But, how much? We believe in full disclosure with our clients and for that reason provide starting/base rates for the services below. (The starting/base rates are subject to change based on a client’s specific needs.) It’s not common practice for law firms to publish fee information online but it’s how Ampersand Law works. That way our relationship can be just as transparent as it should be, right from the very start.
Will Packages
A Will is a great way to provide certainty, create continuity, and reduce stress for yourself and your loved ones. It is ideal for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes, designate guardians for minor children, and provide clarity and direction for their loved ones after their death.
Without Minor Children
INDIVIDUAL: $1,200*
COUPLE: $1,800**
Documents included: will, durable general power of attorney, health care power of attorney with advance directives (living will), HIPAA release
With Minor Children
INDIVIDUAL: $1,600*
COUPLE: $2,400**
Documents included: will with testamentary trust and guardianship nomination, durable general power of attorney, health care power of attorney with advance directives (living will), HIPAA release
*Base/starting rates for individuals. Subject to increase based on the specific needs of the client.
**Base/starting rates for couples with substantially similar documents. Subject to increase based on the specific needs of each client.
Revocable Living Trust Packages
A Revocable Living Trust is ideal for people who want to manage their assets during their lifetime, ensure a smooth transfer of assets upon death without going through probate, and maintain flexibility to alter the trust as circumstances change.
Without Minor Children
INDIVIDUAL: $2,500*
COUPLE WITH JOINT TRUST: $3,800**
COUPLE WITH INDIVIDUAL TRUSTS: $4,500**
Documents included: revocable living trust, certification of trust, assignment to trust, pour-over will, durable general power of attorney, health care power of attorney with advance directives (living will), and on request, a sample/suggested asset funding plan for the revocable living trust based on your actual assets
With Minor Children
INDIVIDUAL: $3,500*
COUPLE WITH JOINT TRUST: $4,800**
COUPLE WITH INDIVIDUAL TRUSTS: $5,500**
Documents included: revocable living trust, certification of trust, assignment to trust, pour-over will with guardianship nomination, durable general power of attorney, health care power of attorney with advance directives (living will), and on request, a sample/suggested asset funding plan for the revocable living trust based on your actual assets
*Base/starting rates for individuals. Subject to increase based on the specific needs of the client.
**Base/starting rates for couples with substantially similar documents. Subject to increase based on the specific needs of each client.
Powers of Attorney Package
Our Powers of Attorney package is perfect for individuals who want to designate someone they trust to make financial, legal, or healthcare decisions on their behalf in case they become incapacitated or unable to make decisions themselves. It’s great for young adults headed off to college and/or moving away from home for the first time, aging parents, and anyone else who wants to create that designation whether they have a Will or not.
This package provides you with the creation of the Health Care Power of Attorney with Advance Directive for a Natural Death ("Living Will") and HIPAA Release, and the Durable General Power of Attorney (for finances, property, and legal rights/obligations).
Step Three
Signing appointment to execute the documents (in-person, witnesses and notary services included)
Step One
A brief (15-minute) consultation via Zoom video conference to discuss the documents and the decisions required
Step Two
Fill out your intake form and we’ll draft your documents and send for review
$500 Per Person*
*Please note: the fee for this service applies even if fewer documents are needed.
Individual Services
For those who already have some documents in place and need to add or replace one or two, our individual services offer an “a la carte” option for estate planning. Please get in touch with us for more information.
“I cannot sing Heather’s praises highly enough. Through the entire process, Heather was understanding, clear, and diligent. Heather struck us as a genuinely kind, honest, and knowledgeable person. She’s whip-smart, funny, efficient, and just an overall joy to work with.”
Not sure which of our estate planning packages are the best fit?
Let’s discuss your specific circumstances and develop a game plan.