Adoption Services

Adoption

We are experienced in all facets of adoption law. For more than 30 years Brinton has practiced adoption law, including representing prospective adoptive parents and birth parents in independent and agency adoptions. Many of our adoptions are interstate adoptions. We also assist adoptive parents with re-adoptions of children adopted internationally, help foster families negotiate adoption assistance agreements, finalize stepparent adoptions and represent prospective adoptive parents and agencies in contested adoptions. We handle uncontested adoption cases on a fixed fee basis.

Estate Planning

We offer comprehensive estate planning advice, including the creation of estate plans to minimize potential liability for federal and North Carolina estate taxes, facilitate for transitions of family businesses, prepare for possible disability, provide for the care of a disabled child or parent (including Medicaid and SSI issues), and make estate administration easier and less costly.

Each client's situation is reviewed individually. In most cases we offer an initial consultation at no cost or obligation to the client and a fixed fee quote for preparation of the recommended documents.

Basic estate planning typically involves preparation of Wills (including Wills appointing guardians for minor children and providing for trusts for the care of minor children), Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Care Powers of Attorney. Estate plans that go beyond the basics often include Revocable Estate Planning Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Special Needs Trusts for disabled family members, Family Partnerships or Family Limited Liability Companies, Charitable Remainder Trusts, charitable foundations and/or inter-family gifts and charitable gifts.

Estate and Trust Administration

We assist families in the settlement of estates, including court administration, tax reporting for federal and North Carolina income, estate and gift taxes, and the distribution of assets. If trusts are involved, we offer advice and assistance in trust formation, administration, taxation and distribution of trust assets.

We also represent clients who need to make important elections as to estate property to minimize estate taxes and those who are involved in litigation or disputes regarding estates and trusts.