Weddington Asset Protection Attorney
Assisting Clients With Asset Protection Matters in North Carolina
Your home, retirement savings, and other assets represent years of hard work. When divorce, remarriage, long-term care costs, or family changes are on the horizon, it is natural to worry that what you planned for your family could be put at risk. An experienced asset protection attorney in Weddington can help you understand where those risks really lie and what you can do about them under North Carolina law.
At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, we focus our practice on family law and elder law, so we see every day how legal issues affect homes, businesses, and inheritances. Our attorneys have more than 350 years of combined experience guiding families across North and South Carolina through these complex decisions. We work to give you a clear path forward so you can move from uncertainty to a more secure plan.
Call us today at (704) 396-4011 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our asset protection lawyer in Weddington.
Why Protecting Assets Matters?
Many people put off asset protection planning because it feels uncomfortable or they assume they have time. Often, a sudden change brings the issue to the forefront, such as a spouse mentioning separation, a parent entering assisted living, or a new marriage in a blended family. Waiting until a crisis can limit your options and make the process far more stressful.
North Carolina uses an equitable distribution system in divorce, which means a court generally classifies property as marital or separate, then divides marital property in a way it considers fair. For families with a home, retirement accounts, or a closely held business, these rules can have a major impact on who keeps what.
For older adults, the cost of long-term care is often the biggest financial unknown. Nursing home or assisted living expenses can quickly affect savings if there is no plan in place. Medicaid rules in North Carolina have detailed requirements about which assets count and which may be protected. Without thoughtful elder law planning, families may feel forced to use more of their resources than they expected before qualifying for help.
Families who care for a child or adult with special needs face additional questions. They often want to leave funds for that person, but do not want to jeopardize important public benefits. Coordinated planning can address these concerns while also considering other children, stepchildren, or a surviving spouse. The key is to begin the conversation before documents, decisions, or court orders limit your choices.
How to Prepare For Asset Protection
Many people delay calling a lawyer because they are not sure what to bring or fear that the process will be overwhelming. Our goal is to make each step manageable. During an initial phone or video consultation, we talk about your main concerns and any upcoming decisions, such as a potential divorce filing, a move to assisted living for a parent, or a planned remarriage.
After that first conversation, we typically ask you to gather information about your assets, liabilities, and existing documents. This might include deeds, account statements, beneficiary designations, prior separation agreements, or current wills. You do not need everything perfectly organized before you reach out. We can help you identify what is most important to locate first.
If you are wondering how to begin, these steps can help you get started:
- Make a simple list of what you own, such as your home, retirement accounts, life insurance, and any business interests.
- Write down your main worries, including divorce risks, long-term care costs, or concerns about a child’s future stability.
- Collect copies of key documents, including titles, beneficiary forms, and existing estate planning papers, if you have them.
- Schedule a consultation with our asset protection lawyer in Weddington to review your situation and discuss potential planning approaches.
Throughout the process, we explain each recommendation and how it fits into the broader plan. Our attorneys coordinate within the firm so that family law issues, elder law questions, and estate planning needs do not work at cross purposes. We strive to keep you informed, answer questions in clear language, and adjust the plan if your circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Asset Protection If I Am Not Very Wealthy?
Yes, many of our clients are not ultra-wealthy. If you own a home, have retirement savings, or support family members, planning can still be valuable. Our firm focuses on practical strategies to help Weddington families preserve what they have, even if their assets are modest compared to those of others.
How Can Your Team Help Protect Assets In A North Carolina Divorce?
We help you understand how North Carolina’s equitable distribution rules may apply to your property, then discuss options such as marital agreements and careful structuring of settlements. Our Board Certified Family Law Specialist offers insight into complex property and support issues that directly affect asset protection in divorce.
Can You Help Me Plan For Long Term Care Costs?
Yes, we routinely advise clients on planning for potential long-term care expenses. We look at your income, assets, and family situation, then consider tools such as certain trusts or other planning approaches that may work with North Carolina Medicaid rules. Our goal is to balance care needs with asset preservation.
What Should I Prepare Before Our First Asset Protection Meeting?
You do not need everything perfectly organized. It helps to bring a basic list of your assets, copies of any wills or powers of attorney, and information about mortgages or major debts. We review what you have, ask questions, and outline what additional information will be most helpful.
Contact Our Asset Protection Attorney in Weddington Today
Thoughtful planning can help you protect key assets, reduce uncertainty, and support the people who depend on you. When you work with Collins Family & Elder Law Group, you gain access to a team that combines deep family law and elder law experience with a practical understanding of what Weddington families face.
We strive to make the process approachable, whether you prefer to meet by phone or video. Our attorneys listen carefully, explain options clearly, and work with you to build a plan that reflects your values and priorities. If you are ready to discuss your concerns with an asset protection lawyer in Weddington, we invite you to contact us.
Contact us today to get started with our Weddington asset protection attorney.
Weddington, NC 28104
Our Satisfied Clients
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"I could never tell you how much I appreciate what you have done for me"Emiline Northcut
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"Your professionalism, compassion, and dedication are truly commendable. I am truly fortunate to have had you as my attorney."Rusty Strawn and Family
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"Shayna Matheny is incredibly amazing. She went above and beyond to help me in a very complicated case. She worked earnestly and did not give up the fight to get my kids and me the best outcome."Cecia Villalta
Meet Our Team
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Shawna Collins Founder -
Isla Tabrizi Partner & Chief of Legal Development -
Candace S. Faircloth Partner & Chief of Trial Strategy -
Jennifer Rodrigue Partner & the Regional Director of Lowcountry -
Kathryn Cook DeAngelo Senior Counsel -
Melinda Taylor Senior Attorney -
Amber R. Morris Senior Attorney -
Kristen Leonard Managing Attorney -
Nancy Roberts Attorney at Law -
Ali Miller Attorney at Law -
Monica Schuring Attorney at Law -
Stephanie Smith Attorney at Law -
Spencer Schold Attorney at Law -
Christine Robbins Attorney at Law -
Alexa Litt Attorney at Law -
Madison Woschkolup Attorney at Law -
Shayna Matheny Attorney at Law -
Chelsea Josey Attorney at Law -
Kaitlyn Yost Attorney at Law -
Tabitha Alcott Attorney at Law -
Mikaila Matt Attorney at Law -
Patti Tutone Attorney at Law -
Lauren Riedy Attorney at Law -
Paulina Havelka Attorney at Law -
Emma Blakley Attorney at Law -
Peyton Staab Attorney at Law -
Meredith Jolin Attorney at Law -
Ann-Marie Murzin Attorney at Law -
Savanna Kimble Earles Attorney at Law -
Nicole Jackson Attorney at Law