Elder Law Report

Big-hearted plans beat vague intentions. We dig into clear, workable ways to support the causes you care about—without neglecting the people you love. From simple will language to more advanced tools, this conversation breaks down how to structure charitable gifts so they’re easy to carry out, tax smart, and aligned with your values. We start with the building blocks: specific gifts versus percent...

Want a simple way to keep full control of your home today and pass it to your heirs instantly when you’re gone? We dig into the nuts and bolts of the Ladybird deed—formally called an enhanced life estate deed—and explain why it’s a powerful, court-tested tool in North Carolina and beyond. You’ll hear how it avoids probate, preserves eligibility for long-term care Medicaid, and protects against cer...

Benefits you earned shouldn’t be out of reach just because the rulebook is complex. We sit down on Veterans Day to map a practical path to VA Aid and Attendance—a pension that can help pay for in‑home care, assisted living, or nursing home care—without draining a lifetime of savings. Drawing on years of elder law practice, we unpack the real asset limits, the home and acreage rules, and the underu...

Meet the newest member of our elder law team, attorney Josh Hunter—a history major turned lawyer who pairs environmental policy training with a calm, strategic approach to complex family needs. We walk through the realities of apprenticeship in a focused practice: why mastering estate planning, long-term care benefits, probate, trust administration, and litigation takes more than textbooks, and ho...

A Halloween greeting sets the stage for a conversation about the real scares families face: probate, guardianship, and the high cost of long-term care. We unpack how to turn those fears into treats by using practical tools that keep control in your hands, protect your home, and speed assets to loved ones without a courtroom drama. We start with the case for avoiding probate. A thoughtfully drafted...

Probate doesn’t just slow things down—it can turn a time of grief into a grind of court dates, public filings, and creditor claims. We sit down to unpack why probate so often feels like a maze and map out practical ways to keep your family out of it with clear, simple planning moves that protect what matters. We start with the human cost: how an open estate can freeze a home sale, stall car title...

Imagine sorting a loved one’s papers and finding ten different wills—each telling a slightly different story about who gets what. That’s how family peace turns into a courtroom drama. We pull back the curtain on why outdated wills and mismatched beneficiary forms can derail even the most well‑meaning plans and how a few practical moves can keep your wishes clear, enforceable, and drama‑free. We br...

What if the scariest part of probate isn’t the paperwork—but the creditors waiting to drain an estate dry? We pull back the curtain on practical, legal tools that keep wealth intact, from the first filing to the final distribution. Jane and Haley explain how to start the clock with a proper notice to creditors, why a thorough inventory creates leverage and clarity, and how a clean estate bank acco...

Most people assume a caring family and a good doctor’s note will steer a loved one through a crisis. The hard truth in North Carolina: only a judge can declare incompetence, the evidence bar is high, and family conflict can put strangers in charge of the most personal decisions. We unpack the four biggest guardianship nightmares—thin medical proof, missing powers of attorney, contested petitions,...

Protecting your loved ones from the devastating financial impact of long-term care costs is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them. In this eye-opening episode, attorneys Greg McIntyre and Haley Matson reveal crucial strategies to shield your home, retirement savings, and other assets if nursing home care becomes necessary in your future. The conversation begins with a fundamental truth...

What would you do if you knew there was a 70% chance a meteor would hit your home? You'd move, right? According to the Department of Health and Human Services, that's the same probability seniors face for needing long-term care—yet most aren't prepared for the financial impact. Nursing homes in North Carolina now cost between $8,000-$13,000 monthly, amounting to a staggering $100,00...

Taking on the role of trustee means stepping into a position of significant responsibility that comes with legal obligations many people don't fully understand. This enlightening discussion between attorneys Haley Matson and Jordan McIntyre breaks down the critical aspects of being a trustee and managing someone else's assets as a fiduciary. The attorneys clearly explain that accepting a...

Facing the possibility that you or your spouse might need nursing home care is daunting enough without the added stress of potential financial ruin. The stark reality—nursing homes cost between $10,000 and $15,000 monthly—means even substantial estates can be rapidly depleted, leaving a healthy spouse vulnerable. In this deeply informative conversation, Elder Law attorney Greg McIntyre and his col...

We all avoid the uncomfortable conversations, but what if facing them actually brought peace of mind? Attorney Greg McIntyre tackles one of life's most difficult topics—end-of-life planning—with compassion, wisdom, and practical guidance. Drawing from his two decades of experience in estate planning and elder law, Greg shares why these sensitive discussions shouldn't be postponed. He app...

The landscape of long-term care benefits in North Carolina is shifting dramatically with the implementation of the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This legislation introduces several key changes that could significantly impact how you or your loved ones access crucial healthcare services when they're needed most. Most notably, the bill establishes a flat home equity cap of $1 million for...

When it comes to navigating real estate decisions, particularly for older adults or those managing inherited properties, professional guidance isn't just helpful—it's essential. This enlightening conversation between Jane Dearwester of McIntyre Elder Law and Jason Brodsky of Owners Only Real Estate reveals why DIY approaches to property valuation and sales often lead to significant finan...

What exactly is a trust, and do you really need one? Attorneys Haley Matson and Jane Dearwester tackle these questions head-on in our latest episode, breaking down complex legal concepts into practical, actionable information. Think of a trust as a private container for your assets with specific instructions attached. Unlike the common misconception that trusts are exclusively for the wealthy, the...

Early Conversations and Legal Documents for Aging Parents: Jordan McIntyre emphasized the importance of discussing aging and estate planning early to ensure legal documents are in place. These crucial documents include powers of attorney and a will, which help manage assets outside of probate. Greg McIntyre highlighted the dangers of not having these documents, such as losing capacity and needing...

What happens when disaster strikes without warning? A vacation accident, a sudden health diagnosis, or an unexpected incapacitation can leave you and your loved ones vulnerable if you haven't prepared properly.  Throughout this eye-opening conversation, we explore the critical importance of crisis planning and what options exist when emergencies occur. While we stress that pre-planning is alw...

Securing your family's financial future while accessing necessary long-term care is possible with the right legal strategy. This conversation between attorneys Greg and Jordan McIntyre reveals how their firm helps clients navigate this critical balance. The cornerstone of this discussion focuses on a two-pronged approach: qualifying for Medicaid benefits to cover assisted living or nursing ho...

Wondering what really happens during an estate planning consultation? Attorneys Greg and Jordan McIntyre pull back the curtain on this often-misunderstood process, revealing a surprisingly relaxed experience that's more like a friendly kitchen table conversation than a formal legal meeting. Far from being a high-pressure situation, estate planning consultations are designed to be comfortable...

Money gifted with good intentions can lead to devastating financial consequences when long-term care becomes necessary. This eye-opening discussion between Elder Law attorneys Greg McIntyre and Brenton Begley tackles one of the most misunderstood areas of senior planning: how well-meaning asset transfers can backfire when seeking Medicaid and special assistance benefits. The conversation cuts thro...

Probate hearings rarely make for casual conversation, but they're a critical part of estate administration that can become surprisingly contentious. Join Jane Dearwester and Haley Matson from McIntyre Elder Law as they pull back the curtain on these often-misunderstood legal proceedings in North Carolina. Most people assume probate is just paperwork and forms, but contested estates can involv...

Forget everything you thought you knew about estate planning. That nagging belief that it's only for the wealthy with beach houses and trust funds? It's completely wrong. As attorneys Jordan McIntyre and Haley Matson explain, everyone has an estate worth protecting, whether you're retired on a fixed income or just starting your family journey. What most people don't realize is...

What exactly happens when someone names you as the executor of their will? Far more than most people realize. In this enlightening discussion, attorneys Jane Dearwester and Haley Matson of McIntyre Elder Law pull back the curtain on the executor's role during their "Probate Boot Camp." The conversation begins with a crucial concept many new executors don't fully grasp: the fidu...