Four Decades Of Experienced, Aggressive Representation

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Zealous And Seasoned Legal Representation In Cases Involving Undue Influence

An estate plan is an invaluable tool comprising various legal documents to protect what you care about the most. Individuals expect to make their wishes known upon death regarding debts, taxes and asset transition, among other aspects. Other documents take effect after specific events, such as incapacitation or defined timeframes and milestones, and serve particular purposes.

An estate plan is a living set of documents that might change after the initial draft to adapt to the owner’s needs. However, not all changes may reflect an individual’s true wishes. In some cases, our elderly loved ones could have been influenced to change their estate plan to benefit a specific party. If you suspect someone unduly influenced your loved one in North Carolina, you may start a civil action against that individual or institution.

Protecting Your Loved One’s Property And Wishes

At Law Offices of West & Smith, L.L.P., our attorneys have over 8 decades of combined legal experience handling complex family dispute cases. From our very first consultation, our goal is to give you peace of mind, determine whether you have a case and explain your options and how our lawyers can help you.

We will explore and analyze all the facts that suggest undue influence, such as:

  • Whether the testator excluded specific members of the family
  • Whether the testator lacked the mental capacity to draft an estate plan
  • Any suspicious behaviors from beneficiaries, like isolation of the testator from other beneficiaries
  • Improper use of a power of attorney to transfer assets for the benefit of the holder of the power of attorney or that person’s family member

Individuals who might have unduly influenced a loved one can range from a caregiver in a nursing home to a lawyer, a family member or anyone who had a trusting relationship with the testator. Every case is unique, so we will take the time to learn all about your situation to provide you with highly personalized legal solutions to best meet your legal needs.

Contact A Reliable Ally To Guide You Through The Process

We are ready to address your concerns at the Southern Pines office. Call 910-684-3998 or send us an email. You have a free initial consultation with our attorneys.