WILLS, TRUSTS, & ESTATES

Your Story. Your Voice. Your Legacy.

You're in the right place.

At Summit Legal Services, we believe estate planning is about more than just legal documents and technical language. Charlotte brings heart to the process, helping you express your values, intentions, and care in a way that truly reflects who you are. Imagine sitting down with a warm cup of tea, while Charlotte helps turn your thoughts into a message that brings clarity, comfort, and meaning to those you love most.

Whether it’s ensuring your cherished possessions go exactly where you want them to, or leaving behind a legacy that tells your story, Charlotte is here to guide you every step of the way—with professionalism, warmth, and a personal touch.

Because what you leave behind should be more than assets—it should be a reflection of your love, your life, and your voice.

Let’s create something truly meaningful together.

What's the Process?

With Charlotte’s guidance, your values, goals, and intentions become more than ideas—they become a plan that safeguards your family’s future. Here is how that process looks:

Engagement Letter: I’ll start by sending you an engagement letter via email. This letter outlines the scope of my services and what you can expect from me. If you’re comfortable with the terms, you can sign the letter electronically using DocuSign.

Estate Planning Questionnaire: Next, you’ll complete a questionnaire. This helps me gather the information I need to prepare your will and any other estate planning documents. Once you’ve filled it out, simply send it back to me.

Drafting Your Documents: Using the information you provide, I’ll draft your estate planning documents. I’ll then send these drafts to you for your review. You’ll have the opportunity to look everything over and let me know if you have any questions or would like any changes.

Review Meeting: I’ll schedule a meeting—either virtually or in person, depending on your location—to go over your documents with you. During this meeting, I’ll answer your questions, discuss any changes you’d like to make, and make sure you’re comfortable with everything before moving forward.

Signing Ceremony:

Virtual Clients: If you prefer to handle everything from home, I’ll arrange for a mobile notary to come to you for the signing ceremony. You’ll need to provide two witnesses. I’ll join you virtually to guide you through the process and ensure everything is done correctly.

In-Person Clients: If you’d rather sign in person, we can meet at my office in Franklin, NC, where I’ll oversee the signing and provide witnesses if needed.

And just like that, your legacy is secured, your loved ones are cared for, and you can rest easy knowing your wishes will be carried out.

What is What?

Will

Think of a will as your personal roadmap—it’s how you clearly share what you want to happen with your belongings after you're gone.

Whether it’s a cherished comic book collection, a classic car, or even that quirky garden gnome you love, a will ensures your possessions go exactly where you want them to. It’s your way of making thoughtful decisions now, so there’s no confusion later.

A will also allows you to name a guardian for your children or pets, giving you peace of mind that they’ll be cared for by someone you trust. And if you have any special wishes—big or small—you can include those too.

In short, your will helps keep things organized, honors your intentions, and gives your loved ones clear guidance when they need it most.

Trust

Imagine a trust as your personal vault where you stash away your assets—like cash, property, or cherished keepsakes—and then set the rules for how they’re managed and distributed. Here’s how it works:

You (the Trustor): You create the trust and decide what goes into it. This could be anything from your prized collection to your home or investments.

The Trust Document: This is the blueprint or “rulebook” that outlines exactly how you want your assets handled. It’s like crafting a detailed game plan.

The Trustee: This is the person or organization you appoint to manage the trust according to your instructions. They’re responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly and your wishes are carried out. This can be you when you are alive.

The Beneficiaries: These are the individuals or entities who will benefit from the trust’s assets. They receive what you’ve allocated for them, either during your lifetime or after you’ve passed away. You can be the beneficiary while you are alive.

A trust offers you control and flexibility, helping to ensure your assets are used and distributed as you wish. Plus, it can streamline the process, often bypassing the lengthy probate system and keeping things more private.

Power of Attorney

A General Power of Attorney in North Carolina lets you choose someone you trust to handle your financial and legal matters if you ever need a hand — whether it's paying bills, managing property, or dealing with banks and paperwork.

It can kick in right away or only if something happens and you're unable to take care of things yourself. Most folks make it “durable,” which just means it still works even if you’re not in a place to make decisions.

It doesn’t cover medical stuff (that’s a different form), but it does give your chosen person the power to step in and help when life throws a curveball. It’s all laid out in writing, signed, and notarized — and I’ll walk you through it in plain English so you feel confident every step of the way.

Healthcare Power of Attorney

A healthcare power of attorney is like appointing a trusted ally to stand by your side in the realm of medical decisions.

It's a legal document that grants someone you choose the authority to make healthcare choices on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.

This designated individual, often a family member or close friend, steps into your shoes to ensure your medical wishes are honored and advocates for your best interests when you're unable to speak for yourself.

It's like having a steadfast guardian to navigate the complexities of healthcare with care and compassion, ensuring your voice echoes loudly even when you're unable to speak.

Living Will

A living will is a document that lets you share your wishes about medical care if you ever become too ill or injured to speak for yourself. It’s not about who gets your belongings—that’s a different kind of will. A living will is about making sure your voice is heard when it comes to your health and end-of-life care.

It guides your loved ones and doctors in making tough decisions, like whether you’d want life support, resuscitation, or other treatments if you’re unable to communicate. This helps take the burden off your family during an already difficult time.

A living will can also include your preferences for what happens after you pass—whether you’d like to be buried or cremated, if you want to donate your organs, or any other specific instructions about your remains.

It’s a simple but powerful way to make sure your values are respected, and your loved ones have clarity and peace of mind.