Previous Law Firm Name

• Gregory Herman-Giddens, J.D., LL.M., P.A., June 30, 2004

Law Firm Overview

TrustCounsel, P.A.'s principal, Gregory Herman-Giddens, JD, LLM, CFP,  is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, and holds a Master of Laws in Estate Planning in addition to his Juris Doctor. He is the only attorney in North Carolina with both credentials who is also a Certified Financial Planner. Admitted to the North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida Bars, Mr. Herman-Giddens serves clients in all three states and throughout the country.

Mr. Herman-Giddens is a frequent speaker on estate planning topics throughout the Research Triangle area and eastern North Carolina. He is the author of an article on Charitable Remainder Trusts which appeared in two national tax journals, and also has written several articles for the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly.

Whether you wish to reduce estate taxes, provide for the orderly control and disposition of your assets, plan for the care of your children, or the illness or incapacity of a loved one, we offer specialized legal assistance and personal attention.

FIRM MISSION STATEMENT: We are dedicated to providing exceptional wealth planning, protection and management services tailored to the goals of our clients through individualized attention and careful selection of appropriate strategies. We strive to keep abreast of innovative estate planning techniques and the constantly changing state of the law by annual attendance at the foremost national educational conferences and membership in leading professional organizations. We use technology to increase efficiency, improve the quality of our work, reduce costs and keep our clients informed. Above all, we seek to maximize client satisfaction by providing meaningful counsel and the best tools to achieve a client's objectives.

Areas of Practice

• Business & Commercial Law 15%
• Business Organizations
• Contracts
• Estate Planning 75%
• Probate & Estate Administration
• Real Estate Law
• Taxation Law 10%
• Trusts
• Wills
• Asset Protection Planning
• Property Agreements
• Fiduciary Administration

Honors and Awards

• Phi Beta Kappa
• Psi Chi

Published Works

• "Charitable Remainder Trusts", Taxation for Accountants, Journal, May, 1998
• "Charitable Remainder Trusts", Taxation for Lawyers
• "New FTC Rules Apply to Estate Planning and Tax Attorneys", North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, June, 2001
• "529 College Savings Plans offer Numerous Estate Planning Advantages", North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, December, 2001
• "Every Client Needs an Estate Plan - 10 Reasons Why", North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, September, 2002

Pro Bono Activities

• North Carolina Center for Non-Profits - Panel Attorney, 2001 - Present

Ancillary Businesses

• Investment Management
• Tax Return Preparation

West Practice Categories

Business Organizations, Business Successions, Closely Held Businesses, Dissolution, Formation & Business Planning, Limited Liability Companies, Non-profit & Tax-exempt Organizations, Partnerships, Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Trusts, Wills, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Estate Administration, Real Estate Law, Conveyancing, Taxation Law, Estate & Gift Taxation, Income Taxation