The Impact of Divorce on Real Estate and Estate Planning in Lenoir County Divorce is a life-changing event that can have significant implications on your real estate and estate planning. Whether you own a family home, investment properties, or have complex financial arrangements, the dissolution ...

How is Agricultural Land Considered in Estate Planning in Lenoir County? Agricultural estate planning is a critical process for farmers, ranchers, and landowners in Lenoir County, North Carolina. It involves the strategic management and transfer of your agricultural assets, including your land, l...

How Can I Determine My Property Lines in Lenoir County? The first step in resolving a disputed property line is to understand where your property boundaries lie. In North Carolina, you can find this information in your property deed, which should contain a legal description of your property's bou...

How Can I Legally Transfer Real Estate to a Family Member in Lenoir County? Transferring real estate between family members in Lenoir County, North Carolina, can be a complex process. It involves several legal steps and documentation, but with the right guidance, it can be done smoothly. The firs...

Lenoir County, like many other counties in North Carolina, has specific regulations that govern home renovations. These rules are designed to ensure that all construction work is safe, environmentally friendly, and in line with the community's aesthetic standards. For instance, if you're planning...

What Are Health Care Directives and Why Are They Important? Health care directives, also known as living wills or advance directives, are legal documents that express your wishes regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your desires. These documents ensure...

What Is Probate and Why Should I Avoid It? Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is distributed to their heirs or beneficiaries. This process involves validating the will, appraising the property, paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets as...

Why Should I Consider a Living Trust Over a Will? A living trust, also known as a revocable trust, is a legal document that allows you to place your assets into a trust during your lifetime and then transfer them to designated beneficiaries upon your death. This differs from a will, which only be...

What is a Power of Attorney and How Does it Work? A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint another person to act on your behalf to make decisions related to financial matters, health care, and, of course, real estate transactions. In North Carolina, there are sever...

What is a Living Trust and Why Should I Consider One? A living trust, also known as a revocable trust, is a legal document that allows you to place your assets into a trust for your benefit during your lifetime and then transfer them to designated beneficiaries upon your death. It's a powerful to...

What Should I Understand About Inherited Property in Lenoir County, North Carolina? In Lenoir County, as in the rest of North Carolina, inheriting property typically occurs through a will or intestate succession (when the deceased has no will). Understanding the nature of your inheritance and the...

Being arrested in North Carolina is a terrifying thing, whether it is for a minor shoplifting incident or for murder. Most times, you are arrested on the spot, where the crime allegedly happened. Sometimes, the arrest comes after the crime has occurred. Other times, you know a criminal investigat...

What is Self Defense in Kinston, Greenville, or Goldsboro? Self-defense is a legal defense against a violent crime. It justifies a defendant's use of force against another person, on the basis they were protecting themselves against an imminent threat of harm or death. The defense attorneys at Sw...

We cannot all be experts in the law. That said, if we get in trouble with the law (or are accused of it), we want someone who knows the law to represent us. Fortunately, the backbone of our legal system is each person's right to an attorney. This right is true regardless of whether you can afford...

When you have a disability and need Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in North Carolina, time is critical. You need to apply because you may have been out of work and you need the money, so you apply without proper documentation. You know you have a disability, so it is hard to understand...

Imagine a United States of America where police hold all the power, and citizens have no power. That world, for some, may not be so unimaginable. If you have found yourself on the other side of police officers in Kinston, Greenville, Goldsboro. , you know you can appreciate that there are laws in...

What is an Improper Search in Kinston, Greenville, Goldsboro.? An improper search in North Carolina is an illegal search that violates an individual's constitutional right to privacy. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states: The right of the people to be secure in ...

Social security disability benefits can be confusing for some because there are two key programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Confusion can result in delays or denial of benefits, and that's something you cannot afford at a time when you are...

Courts make decisions all the time that affect children. These decisions are often related to things like child custody, child support, any future modifications to custody and support, and termination of parental rights. These decisions are made in light of the best interests of the child. At Swi...

Your estate plan in North Carolina can include several documents, many of which may require beneficiaries, like any trusts you may have set up or intend to set up and non-probate assets like 401(k), IRA accounts, life insurance policies, and pensions. Assets from these accounts will go to the ben...

If you have been involved in an accident, you probably have to deal with an auto insurance adjuster. Typically, you have to at least give a statement to your own insurance company after the accident, but you should never give a statement to the other party's insurance adjuster. At Swindell Law Fi...

Auto insurance in North Carolina is used to help owners of motor vehicles protect themselves, whether they cause an accident or are the victim of an accident. After an auto accident and when it is safe to do so, the owners or drivers of each vehicle must share their auto insurance information. Ne...

Your estate plan in North Carolina can include several documents, many of which may require beneficiaries, like any trusts you may have set up or intend to set up and non-probate assets like 401(k), IRA accounts, life insurance policies, and pensions. Assets from these accounts will go to the ben...

Titling and deeds in North Carolina are a central part of real estate transfers and transactions of residential and commercial property. It is critical to make sure you understand what they are, how they differ, and the roles they play with regard to ownership rights. Being informed is your best ...

When you have a disability and limited income in North Carolina, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is a program managed through the Social Security Administration (SSA), and it can be a godsend when you most need it. The problem is the SSI process. It can be confusing f...