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Estate Planning
Providing friendly and efficient legal services to the Piedmont-Triad area of North Carolina
Recognized by Expertise.com
Protect your family in 3 easy steps.
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Complete our estate planning workbook
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Review and sign documents
What Our
Clients Say
“We are using this law firm to create our will that is well overdue. They are very patient and easy to work with. They have obviously done this many times because their pre-meeting summary is very thorough and great to get all the questions out and determined. Happy to recommend them.”
-Matt Gibbons
Download Our Simple Guide to Estate Planning
In this FREE download, you will learn:
- Why you need an estate plan
- How to protect your spouse and children
- What documents are included in an estate plan
Robert W. Brown III
Attorney
BS Appalachian State University
JD The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Rob and his family have lived in Guilford County since 2013. Before that, Rob worked at a small firm north of Raleigh handling a wide variety of matters including estate planning and residential real estate. Upon moving to the Triad, he served as an attorney for the Guilford County Department of Social Services handling child abuse, foster care, and adult protective services cases. In 2017, he transitioned to Stegall & Clifford, PLLC where he has focused on estate planning for a wide variety of clients.
In combination with some of the area’s best financial advisors, Rob works to ensure that his client, their assets, and their families are protected from taxes, creditors, and changes in the family dynamics both during life and after death. Seeing the results of elder abuse, Medicaid liens, divorce, mental illness, and when parents of young children pass away unexpectedly has given him a front row view of what can happen when individuals and families fail to take the necessary steps to protect themselves before something happens.
When not helping people with their legal needs, Rob is a member of the Hartley YMCA Board of Directors and enjoys taking his two boys backpacking, skiing, canoeing, and rock climbing. He is also an avid international traveler, lover of live music, and motorcyclist.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’”
Hunter S. Thompson
What Our
Clients Say
“Always a fantastic experience with the attorneys at Stegall & Clifford. I have experience in working with them on both real estate and estate planning. Highly recommend!”
-Whit Holbrook
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What Our Clients Are Saying
Used this attorney's office to sell and buy our new home!! NO HEADACHES! Very involved in the process and helped us along the way! If you're buying or selling I highly recommend them!!
R. McKenzie
Wonderful company! really care about making things seamless for buyers, sellers, and agents. Great price as well. They even offer discounted estate planning if you close on a property with them. The atmosphere is fun, friendly, and professional!! Would recommend for agents and those in the real estate market!
M. Jones
Simply the best! I have been using them for real estate closings for more than a decade and find them to be consistently outstanding. Friendly staff, excellent paralegals and a brilliant set of attorneys help make this THE "go-to" place for my real estate needs.
S. Vosburgh
I just love this team! From the front desk experience through to closing, they're a joy to work with. The attorneys and paralegals are swift and thorough. I love how they interact with my clients and how comfortable and confident they make everyone feel.
A. Richardson
Very nice and dedicated also professional!
J. Gant
The best closing attorney’s in the Triad!!
M. Menshew
These guys are great. They did the closing for my house. Robert explained everything in good detail and easy to understand. Highly recommend. Will use everytime.
Steven
Fast and efficient closing process. Very friendly staff as well.
V. Davis
I was amazed at the professionalism displayed. I personally could not be happier. Not only did they perform my Real estate closing quickly, accurately and professionally they stepped in and assisted me when dealing with another closing attorney that wasn't as professional or expedient. They also reviewed my current will and prepared a total estate planning package for a great discounted price and processed everything the same day I gave them information. This is truly and outstanding Legal Firm. Thanks Robert and the whole firm
B. Hiller
I was the seller and this company represented the buyer. Still, Brian Clifford worked with me, and made my part so very smooth. They really have it all together. I do recommend this firm.
J. Collins
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate planning is more than a will that handles your belongings after death. A good estate plan includes documents that protect you during your lifetime in the case of incapacity. It also includes a plan to pass on your belongings with minimal court interference and protecting and maximizing your assets for your heirs and beneficiaries. To learn more, read our blog.
There are three types of basic estate plans. Intestate Succession and Guardianship which is dictated by state law and is the default plan. Then there are plans centered around a Last Will and Testament and plans based on a Trust. Each type has its pros and cons. Continue reading to see which plan might be a better fit for you.
While the process of estate planning is not fun by any definition of the word, our team will ensure that it is an easy and uncomplicated process. You start with a worksheet about your life and your assets and then we schedule our first meeting and review the first draft of your plan. Adjustments can be made based on our conversation and then the plan will be finalized and signed. Estate plans based on a Will or Revocable Living Trust will be charged a flat rate—we will meet as many times as you need to feel comfortable about your plan. Learn our step-by-step process here.
The IRS has indicated that many of the activities involved in estate planning are tax deductible. See IRS Publication 529 or speak to your tax professional (CPA) for more information.
Without an estate plan dictated by you, a default plan set up by the state legislature will be used. If you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself (and have no Healthcare Power of Attorney), this plan includes a lengthy process to determine a guardian. If you die without a Will, all assets will go through the probate process and will be distributed according to the law, which is likely not the plan you had in mind. To learn more about your “default” estate plan, check out our blog.
A Living Will is also known as an Advanced Directive for Natural Death. It provides direction to doctors on how to proceed with end-of-life treatment. This takes away the burden of the decision off your family or loved ones if the doctor recommends withdrawing life-prolonging measures. Continue reading our blog to learn about a Living Will and how it differs from a DNR order.