Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Custody and Visitation
  November focuses on "Family Matters," covering crucial topics impacting families: closely held businesses, life changes, divorce, death, child custody, and estate planning.
• Premarital Agreement
  Or even the entry of a divorce decree – the exceptions being (1) the existence of a separation agreement or premarital agreement providing a waiver of any beneficiary designations in the event the spouses are separated and/or divorced or (2) by court order specifically and expressly waiving the surviving spouses rights to such assets. It is important to discuss with your family law attorney the possibility of removing your spouse as a beneficiary on these policies as soon as possible. However, some policies, including retirement accounts governed by ERISA, will not allow you to remove your spouse as a beneficiary during the separation period and before a divorce decree is entered without the consent of your spouse, a separation agreement or premarital agreement, or court order.

Criminal Law

• Wrongful Death

Business and Corporate Law

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property
  Beyond his managerial role, Brad is a skilled civil litigation attorney who handles intellectual property disputes, as well as commercial, business, estate, and professional licensing cases. In 2023, he was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates for his outstanding contributions to the profession.

Employment Law

• Employment Litigation

Property Law

• Premises Liability
• Eminent Domain
• Land Use and Zoning
  Zoning and land use laws enacted by the state and federal governments, counties, and municipalities significantly affect the acquisition, sale, development, and use of real property. Government agencies and governing bodies increasingly have enacted more comprehensive zoning and land use rules and regulations governing development, sometimes with the intent to restrict or prohibit development. Because these rules and regulations often are complex and involve technical issues and special procedures, Ward and Smith, P.A. has organized the Zoning and Land Use Planning Practice Group.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
• Medical Malpractice
• Auto Accidents

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Media Mention: Jenny Boyer and Matt Thompson Share Estate Planning Insights in Business North Carolina - Ward and Smith, P.A.
• Trusts
  A grantor retained annuity trust ("GRAT") is a special kind of irrevocable trust. The person who creates and funds the trust – the "grantor" – retains the right to an annuity payment from the trust for a period of years. At the end of the term, the remaining trust property passes to other beneficiaries (such as the grantor's children) either outright or in further trust. Assuming the grantor survives the term, those remaining trust assets are removed from the grantor's taxable estate.
• Power of Attorney
  After Hurricane Helene in 2024, this article presents crucial legal and financial advice for families, drawing on 2018's Hurricane Florence. A Will ensures proper inheritance, especially for blended families with young children. Revocable trusts streamline estate transfers privately, while Powers of Attorney empower designated decision-makers during incapacity. The article also addresses estate tax planning to minimize future liabilities. Finally, it strongly encourages readers to establish or update estate plans for family protection. READ MORE

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Tax Law
• Debt Collection
  Other services we regularly provide community associations are resolution of construction, insurance, contract, and leasing issues, as well as the negotiation and preparation of contracts with various types of entities. The Practice Group also assists clients in complying with state and federal laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the North Carolina Condominium Act, the North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act, the North Carolina Planned Community Act, and the North Carolina Unit Ownership Act.