Estate planning helps you protect your assets, plan for your family, and decide how your affairs should be handled in the future. It may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Choosing an estate planning lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC can help you create a plan that fits your family, finances, and long-term goals.
This guide highlights 10 estate planning attorneys in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area. It is for informational purposes and is not an official ranking.
How We Selected These Estate Planning Lawyers
We selected these attorneys based on their experience, practice areas, and services related to estate planning in Winston-Salem. We also reviewed publicly available professional profiles and legal directories.
Key factors included:
- Estate Planning Experience: Experience with wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration.
- Related Practice Areas: Knowledge of elder law, tax, business, and asset planning.
- Professional Background: Legal experience, credentials, and relevant professional involvement.
- Local Relevance: Services available to individuals and families in the Winston-Salem area.
This is an informational selection, not an official ranking. Always verify an attorney’s current services, license, fees, and experience before hiring.
List of 10 Estate Planning Attorneys in Winston-Salem, NC
Here are 10 attorneys associated with estate planning and related legal services in Winston-Salem, NC:
- C.W. Lachey
- Kimberly H. Stogner
- Edward W. Griggs
- Brent W. Stephens
- Benjamin Bailey Liipfert III
- John A. Keiger
- Andrew J. Gerber
- Dana Jackson Wilson
- Thomas E. Brock
- Aimee L. Smith
See the detailed profiles below for more information about each attorney and their key services.
1. C.W. Lachey
C.W. Lachey is recognized as a leading Estate Planning Attorney in Winston-Salem, NC, with experience across estate planning, trusts, probate, guardianship, and related matters.
His approach focuses on helping clients create practical plans that protect their assets and address their family’s future needs.
Key Estate Planning Services
- Estate & Trust Drafting: Wills, trusts, and estate documents.
- Probate Administration: Guidance through the probate process.
- Trust Administration: Help with managing and distributing trust assets.
- Adult Guardianship: Legal support for adult guardianship matters.
- Partition Action: Assistance with jointly owned property disputes.
Although C.W. Lachey is based in Mint Hill, clients in Winston-Salem and elsewhere in North Carolina consider his experience and client-focused approach when seeking estate planning guidance.
He is also recognized as one of the notable estate planning attorneys in North Carolina, particularly for his work across estate and trust matters.
2. Kimberly H. Stogner
Kimberly H. Stogner is an experienced Estate Planning Attorney in Winston-Salem, NC, with a focus on trusts, estates, probate, and tax planning. Her background in estate law allows her to help individuals and families organize their assets and prepare for future needs.
She is also a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, reflecting focused experience in these areas. Her work can help clients address both basic estate documents and more detailed trust and tax planning needs.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Probate: Helps with wills, estates, and probate matters.
- Trust & Tax Planning: Provides guidance on trusts and estate-related tax issues.
Her combination of estate planning and probate experience makes her a useful option for clients looking for structured, long-term estate planning guidance.
3. Edward W. Griggs
Edward W. Griggs is an experienced Estate Planning Attorney in Winston-Salem, NC, with a practice focused on estate planning, probate, and related legal matters.
His background also includes tax planning and nonprofit organizations, giving him experience with different issues that can affect an estate.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Tax: Helps clients organize assets and address estate-related tax concerns.
- Probate & Estate Administration: Guides families through probate and the process of settling an estate.
His experience in both planning and estate administration can help clients prepare for the future and handle legal matters when an estate needs to be settled.
4. Brent W. Stephens
Brent W. Stephens is a Winston-Salem estate planning lawyer who focuses on estate planning and elder law. His work helps individuals and families prepare for future financial, legal, and care-related needs.
His practice is particularly relevant for clients planning for retirement, long-term care, asset protection, or changing family circumstances. He can help clients put important legal documents and planning strategies in place before they are needed.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Elder Law: Guidance on wills, trusts, and elder law matters.
- Wills, Trusts & Long-Term Care: Helps with asset protection and future care planning.
His focus on both estate planning and elder law can benefit families looking to organize their assets and prepare for long-term needs.
5. Benjamin Bailey Liipfert III
Benjamin Bailey Liipfert III is a Winston-Salem attorney focused on estate planning and elder law. His practice is relevant to individuals and families who need to plan for their assets, future care, and changing family needs.
His work can be especially useful when estate planning involves long-term care, protecting assets, or providing for a family member with special needs. A well-structured plan can help families prepare for these concerns while keeping their legal and financial goals in mind.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Elder Law: Helps clients plan their estates and address elder law matters.
- Asset Protection & Special Needs Planning: Supports families with asset protection and special needs planning.
His focus on these areas provides a practical approach for clients looking to coordinate estate planning with long-term care and family protection.
6. John A. Keiger
John A. Keiger is a Winston-Salem lawyer with a strong background in estate planning, trusts, tax, and business law. His experience also covers guardianship and estate administration, allowing him to address several legal issues that may arise during the estate planning process.
His background is particularly useful for clients whose personal estate plans are connected to business interests or more complex financial matters.
Key Services
- Estate & Business Planning: Helps clients organize personal and business assets.
- Wills, Trusts & Administration: Assists with estate documents and administration.
His professional credentials and broad practice areas make him a relevant option for clients seeking coordinated estate and business planning.
7. Andrew J. Gerber
Andrew J. Gerber has practiced law in North Carolina since 1989 and works with individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and businesses. His practice includes estate planning and related matters involving wills, trusts, living wills, and asset transfers.
His approach can help clients organize their assets while considering family needs, business interests, and long-term financial goals.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Probate: Guidance on wills, trusts, and estate matters.
- Business & Asset Planning: Helps with business interests and asset transfers.
His long-standing legal practice provides a broad background for clients with both personal and business estate planning needs.
8. Dana Jackson Wilson
Dana Jackson Wilson is a Winston-Salem attorney who handles estate planning and related legal matters. His practice includes wills, powers of attorney, probate, guardianship, and estate and trust matters.
These services can help individuals prepare important legal documents and give families clearer direction when managing an estate or handling future decisions.
Key Services
- Estate Planning: Assistance with wills, powers of attorney, and related planning.
- Wills & Estate Matters: Support with probate, guardianship, and estate issues.
His broad range of services allows clients to address several important estate-related legal needs in one place.
9. Thomas E. Brock
Thomas E. Brock brings together estate planning, business law, and real estate experience.
This background can be particularly relevant for clients whose estate plans include property, business interests, or other significant assets.
His practice can help clients consider how personal and business assets should be organized and handled as part of their broader estate plan.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Business Law: Guidance for personal and business assets.
- Real Estate & Asset Planning: Helps address property and asset-related concerns.
His combination of practice areas can be useful for business owners and property owners with more involved estate planning needs.
10. Aimee L. Smith
Aimee L. Smith focuses on estate planning and elder law in Winston-Salem, helping individuals and families prepare for important future needs. Her practice areas include planning for long-term care, family needs, and the management of assets.
This type of planning can be especially important for clients who want to prepare for later-life care while also considering how their assets will be handled and passed to family members.
Key Services
- Estate Planning & Elder Law: Guidance on estate and later-life legal planning.
- Long-Term Care & Family Planning: Helps families prepare for future care and asset needs.
Her focus on estate planning and elder law provides a practical option for families preparing for both current and future legal needs.
Comparison of These Estate Planning Lawyers
Every attorney has a different practice focus. This table highlights their key strengths and the types of estate planning needs they may be suited to.
| Attorney | Estate Planning | Probate & Trusts | Elder Law & Care Planning | Tax, Business & Asset Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.W. Lachey | Estate and trust drafting | Probate and trust administration | Adult guardianship | Property and asset matters |
| Kimberly H. Stogner | Comprehensive estate planning | Probate and trust matters | Family-focused planning | Trust and tax planning |
| Edward W. Griggs | Estate and tax planning | Probate and estate administration | Estate-related family matters | Tax and nonprofit matters |
| Brent W. Stephens | Wills and trusts | Estate planning support | Elder law and long-term care | Asset and care planning |
| Benjamin Bailey Liipfert III | Estate planning | Estate-related matters | Elder law and special needs | Asset protection |
| John A. Keiger | Wills and trusts | Estate administration | Guardianship planning | Business and tax planning |
| Andrew J. Gerber | Wills, trusts, and living wills | Probate matters | Family estate planning | Business and asset transfers |
| Dana Jackson Wilson | Wills and powers of attorney | Probate and estate matters | Guardianship | Estate and trust matters |
| Thomas E. Brock | Estate planning | Estate-related legal matters | Family planning | Business and real estate |
| Aimee L. Smith | Estate and family planning | Estate-related administration | Elder law and care planning | Long-term care and assets |
Estate Planning Services Attorneys Provide in Winston-Salem, NC
Estate planning is more than simply writing a will. Depending on your situation, an attorney may help you prepare and coordinate:
- Last wills and testaments
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Financial powers of attorney
- Healthcare powers of attorney
- Living wills and advance directives
- Guardianship planning
- Probate and estate administration
- Trust administration
- Business succession planning
- Asset protection planning
- Special needs planning
- Tax-related estate planning
Wills can establish how property should be distributed and may name guardians for minor children. Trusts can provide additional control over how and when assets are managed or distributed.
How to Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer in Winston-Salem
Start by identifying what you actually need help with. A basic will may require a different type of planning than a large estate, family business, special needs situation, or long-term care concern.
Consider these factors:
- Relevant experience: Look for experience with your specific type of estate.
- Practice areas: Check whether the attorney handles wills, trusts, probate, tax, elder law, or business planning as needed.
- Credentials: Review education, licensing, certifications, and professional memberships.
- Planning approach: Ask how the attorney evaluates your assets and family circumstances.
- Fees: Find out whether the work is billed hourly, by a flat fee, or through another arrangement.
- Communication: Choose an attorney who explains complicated legal issues in language you understand.
- Ongoing support: Ask how updates and future changes to your estate plan are handled.
Cost of Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney in Winston-Salem
The cost of estate planning in Winston-Salem depends on the complexity of your situation and the documents you need.
As a general guide, basic estate planning may cost around $500–$2,500, while more complex plans involving trusts, business assets, tax planning, or special needs may cost more.
What Can Affect the Cost?
- Type of Plan: A simple will usually costs less than a plan with multiple trusts.
- Estate Complexity: Business interests, real estate, and significant assets may require additional work.
- Legal Services: Probate, trust administration, and asset protection can increase the overall cost.
- Attorney Fee Structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee, hourly rate, or a combination of both.
Before hiring an attorney, ask for a clear fee estimate and confirm what is included. This may cover document preparation, revisions, signing, trust funding, and future updates.
Benefits of Hiring a Qualified Estate Planning Attorney
A qualified estate planning attorney can help you create a clear plan that follows North Carolina law and fits your family and financial needs.
Professional guidance can also make things easier for your loved ones in the future.
Key Benefits
- Personalized Planning: Build a plan around your family and assets.
- Proper Documents: Prepare wills, trusts, and legal directives.
- Asset Protection: Plan how to manage and protect your assets.
- Probate Guidance: Get help with the probate process.
- Long-Term Care: Prepare for future care and related costs.
- Business Succession: Plan for the transfer of business interests.
- Family Protection: Address the needs of children and dependents.
Regular reviews can also help keep your estate plan updated as your family, finances, and circumstances change.
Final Thoughts
A good estate plan should reflect your family, assets, responsibilities, and long-term wishes.
The right estate planning lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC can help you understand your options and put the appropriate documents in place.
The attorneys listed above have different backgrounds and practice areas. Review their current credentials, services, fees, and availability before making a decision.
Most importantly, choose an attorney whose experience matches the type of estate planning help you need.
