Hello ,

Winter in Western North Carolina is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. One moment the sky is clear—just a few miles away, fog, ice, or heavy snow can bring everything to a halt. Last year alone, our Hendersonville team navigated Hurricane Helene, forest fires, rapid temperature swings, and winter storms that made travel impossible for many families. 

Attorney Jane Dearwester, who leads our Hendersonville office, knows these challenges well. Her team has built a strong winter readiness plan: remote capabilities, proactive communication, and safety protocols for staff and clients on rural mountain roads.

But winter preparedness isn’t just about weather gear.
It’s about life preparedness—and that’s where estate planning becomes essential.

When You Prepare, You Protect

Life’s emergencies rarely give warning.

Some families see signs—like an Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diagnosis. Others experience sudden events such as a fall or stroke that change everything instantly.

Having the right legal documents in place ensures you have a safe place to land when unexpected events hit.

A complete estate plan can include:

• Financial Power of Attorney – prevents guardianship court and allows someone you trust to manage finances.
• Healthcare Power of Attorney – ensures your medical decisions can be made by the right person.
• Living Will / Advance Directive – guides critical care decisions during emergencies.
• Lady Bird Deed – helps keep your home protected and out of probate.
• Revocable or Asset-Protection Trusts – organize assets and safeguard them during long-term care needs.
• Without these, families often face frozen accounts, court delays, blocked benefits, and stressful crisis decision-making.

As Jane says:
“The difference between being prepared and not being prepared is huge.”

Don't Wait Until The Storm Hits

Jane keeps boots, blankets, and emergency supplies in her car. Greg compares that to estate planning—once the storm arrives, it’s too late to prepare.

Planning ahead gives you options.
Not planning leaves you vulnerable.

Before the season gets colder, consider:
✔ Reviewing your estate plan
✔ Updating old powers of attorney
✔ Protecting your home with a Lady Bird Deed
✔ Setting up a trust to safeguard assets
✔ Making sure your loved ones aren’t left scrambling during a crisis

As part of our annual end-of-year initiative, holiday discounts and Christmas estate-planning coupons are now available—a meaningful gift for yourself and your family.

Thank you for reading our e-newsletter dedicated to protecting your assets and planning for long-term care. We look forward to assisting you with strategic legal solutions that ensure your peace of mind.

Greg McIntyre

Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney 

P.S. Sharing is caring! Forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit from understanding the power of Revocable Living Trusts.