Beaufort Estate Planning News

Does a Divorce Affect Your Ability to Move Forward With an Adoption?

January 9, 2025

Divorce can feel like the end of one chapter in life, but it can also be the beginning of a new one. For many, adoption offers the opportunity to grow their family and provide a loving home to a child in need. But does a divorce impact your ability to pursue an adoption? The answer…

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Should You Create Your Own Estate Plan?

August 14, 2024

With information at our fingertips online, it’s easy to search for solutions – whether you’re fixing a leaky faucet or troubleshooting your car. However, when it comes to complex legal matters like estate planning, relying on the internet can lead to significant challenges. Estate planning is more than just filling out a form or downloading…

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What Does Dying Intestate In North Carolina Mean?

July 11, 2024

A common question we receive at Schulz Stephenson Law is: What happens if I pass away without a will in North Carolina? When someone dies without a will, known as dying “intestate,” North Carolina law determines what happens to their estate. In this article, we’ll explore how state law distributes property when someone dies intestate…

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Bradley Schulz Honored With NCBA Citizen Lawyer Award

April 14, 2023

We are proud to announce that Bradley Schulz of Schulz Stephenson Law has been awarded the Citizen Lawyer Award by the North Carolina Bar Association. The Citizen Lawyer Award was established to recognize and thank lawyers who, in addition to their legal work, exemplify the ideals of a citizen lawyer by volunteering their time for…

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What Is A “Dependent Spouse” In North Carolina?

February 14, 2022

In North Carolina, spousal support is used to describe the different types of alimony that a spouse needs to pay to the other spouse when a marriage ends. However, for a spouse to receive this support, the court must first determine whether they are a “dependent spouse” as defined by the state’s laws.  What Exactly…

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In North Carolina, Who Pays The Attorney’s Fees In A Divorce?

January 21, 2022

Attorney fees can be a contentious issue in any divorce case. In most civil cases in North Carolina, the parties are required to pay their individual attorneys out of pocket in the absence of an agreement to do otherwise. However, with family law cases, North Carolina statutes provide a legal basis for one party to…

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What Happens If You Die Without A Will In North Carolina?

November 5, 2021

A very common question we see from estate planning inquiries is: What happens if I die without a will in North Carolina? Dying without a will is called dying “intestate”. When someone dies intestate in North Carolina, state law determines what happens to their possessions. In this article, we’ll dive into how state law handles…

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need a will

Do I Need A Will?

October 25, 2021

With everything going on in the world, more people than ever are making sure that their families and legacies would be supported if they were to pass away. There are major decisions made during the estate planning process, and it’s important to be able to go through the process without being rushed.  Regardless of the…

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