Intersection of Real Property & Estate Planning CLE

The intersection of real property and estate planning can be fraught with potential problems without proper planning and preparation. As attorneys and advisors, we are often asked how to best facilitate transfers of real property without compromising the careful plans put in place for our clients’ estates. This CLE addresses common questions and concerns that arise in real estate and estate planning practices, and how to address them.

In this seminar, we will discuss:

1. Real property and Medicaid
2. Primary Residence v Investment Property
3. “Lady Bird” Deeds, Life Estates, and the alternatives
4. Estate Planning – Creating Certainty as to Vesting of Title
   1. Residuary Clauses – who is “my issue”?
   2. Legal Descriptions of Property in will.
5. Partition Sales and Special Proceedings
6. Road Map to Closing
   1. Notice to Creditor requirements
   2. Role of an estate indemnity agreement

Our presenters are:

Anna V. Stearns spent 15 years working as a paralegal at Sneed and Stearns before leaving to attend Campbell University School of Law, where she graduated with honors in 2018. While in Raleigh, Anna served as Legislative Assistant for Representative Brian Turner in the General Assembly and as General Counsel and Chief of Staff to Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court. In 2021, she returned home to the mountains to practice in the firm where her legal career began more than twenty years ago. Anna serves on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Pro-Bono Committee and is a member of the N.C. Bar Association, N.C. Advocates for Justice, N.C. Association of Women Attorneys, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley. Anna can be reached at anna@sneedlaw.com or by phone at 828-669-7953.

Kathleen Rodberg is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law. From traditional estate planning and administration to the unique and challenging issues facing the elderly and those with disabilities, Kathleen will work to support you and your family as you address current concerns and plan for the future. The often-complex situations of elderly or disabled clients require detailed planning and a specific knowledge base in the area of elder law. Kathleen regularly helps clients establish and administer guardianship and special needs trusts, develop comprehensive Medicaid and long-term care plans, and prepare traditional estate planning documents. In addition, Kathleen frequently gives presentations on topics like recent developments in elder law, special needs trust taxation, and probate matters. Kathleen can be reached at krodberg@mwblawyers.com or by phone at 828-254-8800.

Kristi Moretz-Icard is a Title Attorney for Investors Title Insurance Company. She provides underwriting support to approved attorneys and the Investors Title branch and agency offices in North Carolina. Prior to joining Investors Title in 2022, she served as managing title attorney for a law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and prior to that,  she was the managing attorney of a residential real estate practice in Hickory, North Carolina. Kristi began practicing real estate law in 2008 and was in private practice for fourteen years before she joined Investors Title.  She earned her Juris Doctor degree from The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law (2008) and her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and social and economic justice from UNC-Chapel Hill (2004). Contact Kristi directly at 919-945-2401 or kicard@invtitle.com.

 Everyone who signs up will receive a link to join this virtual seminar 24 hours before the event.