STONE & CHRISTY, P.A. provides legal representation in all civil matters including real estate (transactional and litigation), estate planning and administration, estate-based litigation, general civil litigation, wrongful death, collection, contract, landlord/tenant and minor criminal offenses.
Misdemeanors
Traffic matters and other misdemeanors can have a startling impact on your ability to obtain reasonably priced auto insurance or even affect your job prospects. We can help by providing effective representation to mitigate the effects of such a charge. Please be sure to contact us as early as possible to allow for appropriate preparation.
 Areas of expertise in which we can offer assistance include collection of delinquent accounts (including filing of statutory liens to compel payment), organizing and streamlining the collections process, drafting of employment contracts, drafting of general business contracts, and general legal consulting to businesses.
There are many problems that can arise with real estate matters that may involve litigation, including disputes about title defects, boundary disputes, easements and ownership of property. We have experience in helping clients to understand the issues at stake, to understand the options available to address the problems, and to reach the best decision for them about the appropriate approach. Whether you have been named a party to a lawsuit, or need to bring an action, we can assist you.
Real Estate Transactions
Buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions you will make, and represents for many people, the most significant financial transaction. We offer assistance in all areas of real estate transactions. We can assist i
We assist Executors and Trustees with administration of estates and trusts. We are experienced in all aspects of trust and estate administration, including probate court proceedings, settlement of estate and income tax liabilities with the Internal Revenue Service and North Carolina Department of Revenue, and settlement of all issues involving creditors and beneficiaries of the estate or trust. We take pride in helping Executors and Trustees to fulfill their many responsibilities and to solve various problems that arise in the course of administering an estate or trust.
Wills
With attorneys in our firm who concentrate in estate planning, estate administration, and litigation, we are well placed to assist you with issues that arise from the administration of an estate, whether that involves protection of beneficiary interests, will contests (caveats or dissents), or the removal of administrators or executors for misdeeds or mishandling of the estate. We are also available to help with wrongful death actions, contested insurance claims, collection of claims by the estates against debtors of the estate, and negotiation or litigation of claims against the estate.
Trusts
We prepare wills, financial powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney. We also advise and assist clients with designation of beneficiaries of life insurance policies, IRAs and other retirement accounts, and annuities. The plan may include a revocable trust (or “living trust†) agreement, which can be an effective way to reduce the costs of settling the client’s estate upon the client’s death. If the client owns a business, we provide advice and assistance with the wide variety of issues that can arise upon death or incapacity, and assist business owners with succession planning.
Power of Attorney
Probate
We assist clients with the creation and implementation of estate plans that control the management and disposition of their assets upon death or disability. We take pride in our ability to listen to each of our clients, to understand the unique circumstances that each family presents to us, and to provide a plan that will accomplish the result that the client desires. We have two attorneys with Masters degrees in Taxation, one of whom is a Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law.
We can assist in collecting amounts owed to you whether through negotiation or litigation. We are experienced in asset searches, collection litigation and post-judgment proceedings to maximize the return of our clients including bank account freezes, execution against a debtor’s assets, and foreclosure. We also have significant experience in preparing, filing, and enforcing mechanics and materialmens liens under the N.C. General Statutes. This is an important tool for protecting your right to collect monies, and must be exercised, in most situations, within 120 days of the last date you rendered goods or services to the property in question. Contact us if we can assist you in collecting funds wrongfully withheld from you.