Business Details
Trusted Legal Services for Estate Planning and Business Law in Fayetteville, NC
Our firm provides comprehensive legal services in estate planning, business law, and commercial real estate. With decades of combined experience, our attorneys specialize in crafting personalized estate plans, administering trusts and estates, and advising businesses on entity formation and complex transactions. We prioritize client needs through tailored strategies, leveraging deep expertise in tax law, probate litigation, and real estate matters.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our certifications, including Board Certification in Estate Planning and membership in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. We serve individuals and corporations in Fayetteville and surrounding areas, delivering trusted counsel rooted in local knowledge and national standards of professionalism.
Services
Estate Planning
Trust Administration
Business Entity Formation
Commercial Real Estate
Probate Litigation
Highlights and features
- Decades of combined experience in estate and tax law
- Personalized estate planning with tax optimization strategies
- Business entity formation and S corporation/C corporation guidance
- Commercial real estate expertise from seasoned practitioners
- Proven track record in probate litigation and trust administration
Associations and certifications
- Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- AV Peer Rating by Martindale Hubbell
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning service creates comprehensive strategies including wills, revocable trusts, and tax-efficient gifting plans. We specialize in minimizing estate taxes through irrevocable life insurance trusts and family partnerships. Clients receive personalized guidance on healthcare directives and retirement benefit planning, ensuring their legacy aligns with both legal requirements and personal wishes.
Trust Administration
We handle full trust administration from probate court filings to tax return preparation. Our attorneys represent fiduciaries in asset distribution, debt settlement, and IRS compliance matters. The practice includes resolving disputes over trust validity and managing complex multi-state estate settlements with attention to both legal precision and client confidentiality.
Business Entity Formation
This service advises on optimal business structures including LLCs, S corporations, and partnerships. We draft operating agreements and shareholder documents while providing tax classification guidance. Our counsel extends to merger agreements, acquisition contracts, and exit strategies, supporting businesses from formation through succession planning with customized legal frameworks.
Commercial Real Estate
Specialized real estate counsel covers commercial property acquisitions, zoning compliance, and lease agreements. The practice includes title examination, financing documentation, and development project representation. Attorneys negotiate complex transactions while ensuring alignment with clients' broader business objectives and tax planning goals through strategic documentation.
Probate Litigation
Our litigation service resolves contested wills, trust breaches, and fiduciary duty claims. We represent executors, beneficiaries, and trustees in court proceedings while pursuing alternative dispute resolution when appropriate. The practice combines procedural expertise with deep knowledge of North Carolina probate law to protect client interests in contested estate matters.
People
Robert G. Ray
Founding Attorney (1943-2022)
Board Certified Estate Planning Specialist with 35+ years' experience. NYU Tax Law LLM graduate who shaped North Carolina's probate standards. AV-rated attorney and American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Fellow. Led firm until his passing in 2022.
Steven J. O'Connor
Attorney
Commercial real estate specialist with extensive transactional experience. Advises businesses on property acquisitions and development projects. Combines real estate expertise with corporate law knowledge to deliver integrated legal solutions for clients' investment strategies.
Deanna L. Coleman
Attorney
Estate planning and probate attorney focusing on tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. Assists clients with trust creation, charitable giving plans, and complex estate settlements. Provides counsel on healthcare directives and guardianship matters.
Isaac C. Halverson
Attorney
Business law practitioner handling entity formation and corporate transactions. Advises startups and established companies on S corporation elections, partnership agreements, and merger documentation. Represents clients in commercial contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
Shannon Reyes
Legal Staff
Supports attorneys in estate planning document preparation and trust administration tasks. Coordinates client communications and maintains case records with attention to confidentiality and procedural compliance.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
We recommend wills, revocable trusts, healthcare directives, and financial powers of attorney. Our attorneys create customized packages based on family needs, asset complexity, and tax considerations.
How does business entity selection affect taxes?
Entity choice determines whether taxes apply at both corporate and individual levels. We analyze S corporation, C corporation, and partnership structures to optimize tax efficiency while meeting operational requirements.
Can you help with out-of-state property transactions?
Our commercial real estate practice handles multi-state transactions through coordinated legal strategies. We work with local counsel to ensure compliance with jurisdiction-specific property laws and tax regulations.
What happens during probate litigation?
Contested estates go through formal court proceedings. We represent executors or beneficiaries in will validity challenges, trust breaches, and asset distribution disputes while pursuing negotiated settlements when possible.
Do you offer business succession planning?
Yes, we create transition plans for business owners including buy-sell agreements, leadership transfers, and tax-efficient exit strategies tailored to corporate structure and long-term objectives.
