Raleigh Trust Attorney
Protecting Legacies with Trusts in the Triangle & Wake Forest Area
While your will is an important part of your estate plan, it is not the most effective way to transfer assets to your beneficiaries. The benefits of a trust make it the preferred method for estate planning. Any assets not placed in a trust when you pass away must go through probate before they reach your intended beneficiaries. The main benefit of a trust is the ability to avoid probate, bypass delays in title transfer, and reduce the thousands of dollars in taxes and attorney’s fees often required in probate.
At NC Wills & Trusts, we help you create a trust that avoids probate complications and protects your wealth. We take time to understand your unique estate planning goals and recommend the right trust or trusts for you. Our experienced attorney provides personalized guidance throughout the process and tailors your trust to reflect your specific wishes, giving you peace of mind while potentially saving your loved ones thousands in probate costs.
For families in Raleigh or throughout Wake County, laws governing trusts can influence the structure and management of your estate. The North Carolina Uniform Trust Code sets standards for trust administration and provides clear guidelines for trustees and beneficiaries. By working with someone familiar with local court procedures, you avoid common mistakes and delays that often happen with generic, out-of-state solutions.
Our fees are affordable, with trusts starting at just $1,900 and discounts available for married couples. We also offer virtual meetings.
It’s never too early to incorporate a trust into your estate plan. Call (919) 759-6353 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Raleigh trust formation lawyer.
Our Trust Formation Process: Step by Step
We aim to make the trust creation process as simple and accessible as possible for individuals and families in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina. When you reach out to NC Wills & Trusts, you’ll start with a free initial consultation to discuss your specific goals, family structure, and types of assets. We listen closely to your needs and clarify how different trust structures may support your wishes.
Once you decide to move forward, we guide you through each phase, including data collection, selecting beneficiaries and a trustee, and reviewing optional protections such as inheritance conditions or tax planning considerations. Our trust attorney prepares the legal documents in clear language, ensuring they comply with North Carolina law, and arranges either an in-person or virtual review meeting for your approval. We answer your questions at every stage and remain flexible to adjust as your life circumstances change. Our team helps you with trust funding and explains best practices for updating related beneficiary designations or titling assets correctly.
If your property or financial accounts span more than one county in North Carolina—or beyond state borders—we offer guidance on how to align your trust with local property and recording requirements. After execution, we remain available to review, amend, or answer any follow-up needs that may arise. Our plain-language process keeps the focus on your wishes, with transparent flat fees and clear timelines, giving you confidence whether you’re in Raleigh or anywhere in the state.
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Accessible Pricing
Estate planning should be accessible to everyone. Our flat fees are often one-third to one-half the cost of traditional firms—without sacrificing quality or care.
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Direct Attorney Access
Every client works directly with attorney Kevin Peach, ensuring personalized guidance and expert insight from start to finish—never passed off to support staff.
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Transparent Service
No hidden fees, no pressure tactics. We’re committed to making the process clear, simple, and easy to understand—so you can plan confidently.
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Rooted in Community
As a Raleigh native, Kevin Peach brings a local perspective, empowering clients through free webinars and educational resources.
Five-Star Reviews From Happy Clients
See the Difference Our Personalized
At NC Wills & Trusts, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I highly recommend NC Wills and Trusts"Kevin did a great job with our estate planning documents. We had lots of questions which he answered promptly and thoroughly. We were anxious to get our affairs in order and he was very responsive and reasonably priced. I highly recommend NC Wills and Trusts for your estate planning needs.- P.B.
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"He was very polite and knowledgeable."Kevin was really helpful. He finished our required documents quickly. He answered all of our questions. His fees are quite affordable. He was very polite and knowledgeable.- S.S.
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"I would highly recommend him."Attorney Peach is thorough in details and explanations. He is also very easy to talk with. I would highly recommend him.- B.E.
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"Very helpful and delivered"
These folks do great work Mr. Peach was on time very helpful and delivered
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"Very smooth process."I had my Trust/Will prepared by Kevin Peach. Very smooth process. Kevin was a pleasure to work with, very professional and informative, and completed the documents on a timely basis. I highly recommend NC Wills & Trusts to anyone who needs a Living Trust and Will prepared.- S.P.
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"Kevin was amazing to work with!"Kevin was amazing to work with, very knowledgeable, and very timely. His prices and processes are clear and transparent. He answered all of my questions. If you want timely service without the runaround, NC Wills and Trusts is for you!- Q.S.
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"Very polite and professional"Mr. Peach is very polite and professional. My mother’s passing put my father in a position to have to redo his will and estate. I felt my Dad would be more comfortable at home with this process and Mr. Peach was happy to do so. Great experience.- J.M.
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"Personalized Service & Reasonable Fees"We had a very positive experience with Kevin Peach. He was responsive, patient, and answered all our questions. Our documents were prepared with a quick turnaround time. NC Wills and Trusts offers personalized service paired with reasonable fees.- C.S.
What Is a Trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement in which a grantor or trustor transfers assets to a trustee to hold and manage for the benefit of a third party, known as the beneficiary. This fiduciary relationship means the trustee handles the assets according to the instructions in the trust document for the benefit of the named beneficiaries.
Trusts can hold many types of assets, including real estate, bank accounts, stocks, and personal property. They offer flexibility in how and when assets are distributed and may serve various purposes, such as avoiding probate, providing for minor children, managing assets for individuals with special needs, or reducing estate taxes.
For North Carolina residents, trusts also simplify the transfer of real property, including family homes in Raleigh, investment properties, or cabins across Wake County. Compared to judicial probate, trust administration streamlines the process when distributing local or out-of-state assets.
Trusts require precise drafting to be enforceable and to accomplish their intended purpose. You should always work with a seasoned attorney when establishing or modifying a trust.
Revocable Trusts
A revocable trust offers flexibility, allowing the trustor to maintain control over assets during their lifetime. The trustor may modify, amend, or revoke the trust at any point while they remain mentally competent. This trust becomes irrevocable upon the grantor's death or incapacity, after which a designated successor trustee manages and distributes the assets according to the trust’s instructions. Many people use this type of trust to avoid probate and to transfer assets to loved ones after the trustor passes away.
Revocable trusts allow you to update beneficiaries, change instructions, or add property as your situation changes—without needing to start from scratch. Raleigh homeowners often use revocable trusts to protect their family home and keep the transfer process private and outside the probate court system. These trusts are also helpful for blended families or those with complex inheritance goals.
Irrevocable Trusts
An irrevocable trust requires the trustor to permanently transfer assets to a trustee, giving up ownership and control once the trust is established. Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust generally cannot be modified, amended, or terminated except under very specific circumstances. This “irrevocable” structure is its defining characteristic and offers unique benefits.
Once you place assets into an irrevocable trust, they cease to be your legal property. This separation is important for tax purposes and can provide robust asset protection when used appropriately.
Moving substantial assets into an irrevocable trust may reduce your taxable estate and help shield assets from certain creditors, but you must follow North Carolina and federal rules for the transfer. Many Raleigh residents interested in Medicaid Asset Protection or charitable giving select irrevocable trusts to preserve family wealth and support causes meaningful to them while accessing potential tax advantages under state and federal law. For business owners, these trusts can also help transition ownership or set provisions for future management.
Popular applications of irrevocable trusts include:
- Estate tax reduction. By removing assets from your taxable estate, an irrevocable trust can significantly decrease potential estate taxes upon death, which particularly benefits high-net-worth individuals.
- Asset protection. Assets held in an irrevocable trust are typically shielded from creditors, lawsuits, and judgments since the trust’s creator no longer legally owns them. This offers peace of mind, especially if you work in a profession with higher litigation risks.
- Medicaid planning. If you are concerned about long-term care costs, an irrevocable trust—specifically a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)—may help you qualify for Medicaid while preserving your assets for heirs. Property held in your MAPT should pass to your heirs and not to government recovery after your passing, provided the trust is properly structured.
- Charitable giving. Certain irrevocable trusts, such as charitable remainder or charitable lead trusts, allow you to make substantial charitable gifts while possibly retaining an income stream or receiving tax deductions.
- Special needs planning. A special needs trust enables individuals with disabilities to receive an inheritance or settlement without losing eligibility for benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Our trust formation attorney can assist with a plan to provide for a loved one with special needs.
Why Work with a Local Trust Attorney in Raleigh?
Choosing a trust attorney in Raleigh means you benefit from guidance grounded in local law and procedures. In Raleigh and Wake County, courts follow North Carolina’s Uniform Trust Code, but procedures may vary at the municipal or county level, from the timing of filings to the approach clerks take with trustee changes or beneficiary issues. Our local knowledge helps reduce uncertainties and delays.
When you partner with NC Wills & Trusts, you get direct access to an attorney who understands how local probate officials operate and recognizes the nuances of transferring property, settling small estates, or working with institutional trustees in the area. We focus on providing patient answers, complete transparency on fees, and the convenience of virtual consultations to meet Raleigh families’ needs. Whether you are transferring a home in North Hills, an investment property in Cary, or a business in downtown Raleigh, we deliver service tailored to our community.
Working with a local trust lawyer ensures personal communication for meetings, straightforward document signings, and ongoing support for your trust as your needs evolve. We remain available to answer questions about changes, compliance, or life developments that may affect your plan. Your peace of mind matters to us, and we aim to make every step of your trust’s administration or adjustment worry-free.