From day one, Kathleen made me feel supported and heard. She is comforting, pays close attention to every detail, and responds quickly. I continue to fully trust her to protect both my best interests and my son’s. I am beyond thankful for Kathleen.
At Ellis Family Law, our trusted estate planning attorneys in Cary, North Carolina are dedicated to helping individuals and families build estate plans that align with their values, priorities, and goals for the future. From Wills to Revocable Living Trusts, we provide personalized guidance to safeguard what matters most and reduce stress for your loved ones.
Estate planning isn’t just about preparing for the end—it’s about making smart, compassionate choices for the people you love and the life you’ve built. Whether you’re starting a family, navigating a divorce, nearing retirement, or managing generational wealth, a thoughtful estate plan gives you clarity, control, and peace of mind.
Estate planning is the process of preparing legal documents that explain how your assets, decisions, and responsibilities will be managed during your life and after your death. It gives you the power to:
Without a plan, the state decides what happens. Estate planning ensures that your wishes—not default laws—guide the outcome.
We offer comprehensive estate planning services tailored to your stage of life, family structure, and financial picture. Our services include:
A Will is the foundation of most estate plans. It allows you to:
We help you draft a legally valid, clearly written Will that reduces confusion and honors your intent.
Trusts can offer added flexibility, privacy, and control—especially for clients with blended families, real estate, or long-term financial goals. We assist with Revocable Living Trusts to help ensure an easy transition of control of your assets should you no longer be able to manage them due to incompetency or upon your death, avoiding the need for probate.
A durable Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to handle financial matters on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. We draft POAs that:
We ensure your POA is up to date and compliant with North Carolina law.
These documents spell out your healthcare preferences if you cannot communicate them yourself. We help clients create:
Clear instructions can bring peace to your loved ones during emotionally difficult moments.
We understand that modern families come in many forms. We help:
We’ll help you create a plan that respects every branch of your family tree.
Life changes, and your estate plan should keep up. We recommend reviewing your documents every few years, and especially after:
We make the process of updating your plan straightforward, respectful, and efficient.
If you pass away without a Will or Trust in North Carolina, your estate will go through intestate succession, and your assets will be distributed according to state law—not necessarily your wishes.
This can result in:
We help you avoid those outcomes with a proactive, tailored plan that fits your life and goals.
You don’t have to be wealthy—or nearing retirement—to benefit from estate planning. We regularly assist young families, professionals, and newlyweds who want to:
Because we are also a family law firm, we understand how life transitions such as divorce, remarriage, or custody changes, impact your estate plan. We work closely with our family law attorneys to:
We believe estate planning and family law go hand in hand, and our integrated approach reflects that.
Our board-certified specialists lead every case with strategy, care, and a commitment to your best outcome.
From day one, Kathleen made me feel supported and heard. She is comforting, pays close attention to every detail, and responds quickly. I continue to fully trust her to protect...
From day one, Kathleen made me feel supported and heard. She is comforting, pays close attention to every detail, and responds quickly. I continue to fully trust her to protect both my best interests and my son’s. I am beyond thankful for Kathleen.
Learning to trust an attorney that you’re just beginning to work with is really difficult. The anxiety I felt along this journey was supported by Kathleen, but what she did...
Learning to trust an attorney that you’re just beginning to work with is really difficult. The anxiety I felt along this journey was supported by Kathleen, but what she did in court this afternoon was beyond. I didn’t know what I didn’t know; but she did. She blew opposing counsel away. She knows her stuff and she knows what’s needed. Her staff went above and beyond for me also, and I’m so grateful
Wow! I’m actually excited about moving forward on my divorce now! I was terrified, now I’m not in the least bit. So excited to have Kathleen Murphy in my corner.
...Wow! I’m actually excited about moving forward on my divorce now! I was terrified, now I’m not in the least bit. So excited to have Kathleen Murphy in my corner.
Kathleen Murphy is simply the best. If you’re looking for someone who protects your best interests along with creating a clear, concise and strategic game plan. Look no further!
...Kathleen Murphy is simply the best. If you’re looking for someone who protects your best interests along with creating a clear, concise and strategic game plan. Look no further!
Ellis Family Law is always there for your family legal needs. I can personally recommend Kathleen Murphy, she is excellent.
...Ellis Family Law is always there for your family legal needs. I can personally recommend Kathleen Murphy, she is excellent.
I hired Attorney Shannon Tucker with Ellis Family Law for help with a DVPO case, and I’m very grateful for their support. They responded quickly, explained every step of the...
I hired Attorney Shannon Tucker with Ellis Family Law for help with a DVPO case, and I’m very grateful for their support. They responded quickly, explained every step of the process in a way I could understand, and made sure I felt prepared for court. The case moved faster than I expected, and their professionalism and compassion made a difficult situation much easier to handle. I highly recommend them for anyone needing prompt and effective help with protective orders.
Because your future—and your family’s—deserve more than good intentions. They deserve a plan.
Cary Office
Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C.
201 Shannon Oaks Circle Suite 100 Cary, NC, 27511
Fax: 877-678-1584
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 5:30pm
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
