What an estate planning attorney does
An estate planning attorney drafts the documents that decide who handles your money, health choices and property if you can't, and who inherits when you die. A typical package includes a will, a revocable living trust where it makes sense, a durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and a living will. Many Matthews firms also handle probate, trust administration and planning for blended families, special needs beneficiaries or small business owners.
What to look for
Choose a lawyer whose practice is mostly estate work, not one who does it on the side. Ask whether pricing is flat-fee or hourly, who actually drafts the documents, and whether the firm helps you retitle assets and update beneficiary designations. Those steps are where plans often fail. Check that the attorney is licensed in North Carolina and that the office will answer questions after signing.
How our scoring helps
We compare the 7 Matthews listings on the same published criteria, so you aren't judging on a polished website alone. See the ranked guide to estate planning attorneys in Matthews for the order, and read how we score to see what each factor counts for.