Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Planning for the future isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone—it’s about making intentional choices now to protect the people and the life you’ve built. At Ellis Family Law in North Carolina, we help individuals and families in North Carolina create Wills and Trusts that reflect their values, goals, and priorities.
Whether you’re drafting a simple Will or building a comprehensive estate plan, our approach is personal, clear, and designed to give you lasting peace of mind.
You’ve thought about it—writing a Will, setting up a Trust, making sure your family isn’t left guessing. You might have a new child or grandchild. You might have seen what happens when a loved one dies without a plan. Now, you’re ready to take the next step—and we’re here to help you do it with clarity and confidence.
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. And it’s not about predicting the future. It’s about making sure your voice, your family, and your values are protected—before someone else is forced to guess.
At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C., we help individuals and families across North Carolina create thoughtful wills and trusts that reflect who they are—and what matters most to them.
Our wills and trusts attorneys make the process simple, respectful, and tailored to your life, not someone else’s template.
Both tools help you plan. But they do it in different ways.
A will is a legal document that:
Wills are public and go into effect after you pass away.
A trust is a legal entity you create to hold and distribute assets:
We regularly assist:
Life changes. Your estate plan should, too.
We make sure your will and trust reflect your current priorities, not just your past.
Without a will or trust:
We help you take control of those decisions today.
Most people put this off because they think it’s complicated, expensive, or depressing. But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be any of those things.
We walk you through:
Then we turn that into clear, legally sound documents—so your family isn’t left guessing.
We draft wills and trusts based on your needs, not cookie-cutter forms.
Need to update your plan later? We’re here for that, too.
We work with clients throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and surrounding areas. Whether you’re planning for yourself, your children, or aging parents, we’ll help you do it with confidence and care.
We also coordinate with your divorce, custody, or adoption case if you’re already working with us on family law matters.
We help you plan for what happens after you’re gone—so your values, your voice, and your legacy live on.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity. And we’ll help you take the next step with confidence.
Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
...Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and...
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and helps you work through a difficult process. I appreciate her guidance and the team’s support. Highly recommend.
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law, I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of...
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law,
I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of the most stressful and emotional situations I’ve ever faced, and having Shannon in my corner gave me an incredible amount of peace of mind.
From the beginning, I trusted her completely. Even with an incredibly short notice with my request for help, Shannon handled every aspect of my case tactfully, professionally, and with genuine care. She was an incredible negotiator, always made sure I understood what was happening and when/why it was happening, and most importantly, made sure I felt comfortable with every decision along the way.
In a situation that naturally comes with so much stress and uncertainty, Shannon took a tremendous amount of that weight off my shoulders. I knew she was fighting for what mattered most to me and that I could trust her judgment every step of the way.
Calling her a lifesaver honestly feels like an understatement. I will always be grateful for what Shannon did for me and my family. If you are looking for an attorney who is professional, compassionate, trustworthy, and someone you genuinely want in your corner, I cannot recommend Shannon and Ellis Family Law highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation, thank you so much!
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job!...
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job! My only regret is I didn’t meet her years ago
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations...
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations that I’d only hoped for. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my divorce.
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter...
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter can be incredibly overwhelming, but having an attorney who is knowledgeable, responsive, honest, and truly listens has made such a difference.
Kathleen has taken the time to understand my situation, answer my questions, explain my options, and help me navigate decisions that I never expected to have to make. I have always felt that my concerns were taken seriously and that I had someone in my corner advocating for me while still giving me realistic and straightforward advice.
The entire office has been professional, compassionate, and helpful throughout the process. When you’re dealing with something that affects your children, your family, and your future, having confidence in the people representing you means everything.
I am extremely grateful for Kathleen and her team and would highly recommend this office to anyone looking for knowledgeable and compassionate representation in a family law matter.
We are equally skilled in litigation and in resolving disputes outside of court.
Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative approaches that resolve disputes with less stress and more cooperation.
Thoughtful advocacy for parenting arrangements that protect your children and preserve what matters most.
Because your future deserves more than good intentions. It deserves a plan.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
