Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning Partner in Raleigh
Thornton Law Firm, established in 2012, has been serving Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area with dedicated legal expertise in estate planning and small business law. Our founder, Chad Thornton, brings over 25 years of experience as a licensed North Carolina attorney, having graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with both a business administration degree and a law degree. We specialize in creating wills, trusts, living wills, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to individual family needs. Our practice extends to assisting entrepreneurs with business formation, operating agreements, and state filings.Understanding the challenges of modern schedules, we offer flexible consultations at clients' homes or offices, including evenings and weekends. Our commitment to personalized service is reflected in numerous client testimonials praising our approachability, clarity in explaining complex legal matters, and efficient document preparation. We maintain active memberships in the North Carolina State Bar and local bar associations, ensuring our practice remains current with evolving legal standards. Our focus on accessibility and affordability has made estate planning more approachable for families across Wake, Durham, and surrounding counties.
Services
Wills
Trusts
Living Wills
Durable Powers of Attorney
Small Business Setup
Estate Administration
Guardianships
Healthcare Directives
Operating Agreements
Document Filings
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of legal experience in North Carolina estate planning
- Our mobile services accommodate busy families with home visits and evening appointments
- We provide clear explanations of complex legal documents in plain language
- Our practice combines affordability with personalized attention for every client
- We maintain active memberships in state and local legal professional organizations
What people say
Quick and easy process
Affordable pricing
Patient explanations
Home visits available
Professional yet personable
Services
Wills
Our wills ensure your final wishes are legally documented. We help clients establish property distribution plans and guardianship arrangements for minor children. Our attorneys explain all legal requirements while creating customized documents that meet North Carolina standards. Clients receive clear guidance about executor selection and document execution procedures.
Trusts
We create various trust arrangements to manage assets during life and after death. Our services include revocable living trusts for probate avoidance and special needs trusts for dependents. We explain different trust structures and help clients choose appropriate beneficiaries and trustees. Our documents ensure proper asset management according to your specifications.
Living Wills
Our living wills document your medical preferences for end-of-life care. We help clients establish healthcare directives that comply with North Carolina law. The documents address life-sustaining treatment preferences and include necessary witness requirements. We coordinate these with healthcare powers of attorney for comprehensive planning.
Small Business Setup
We assist entrepreneurs with business entity selection and formation. Our services cover LLCs, partnerships, and S-Corporations. We prepare and file necessary documents with the Secretary of State while explaining tax implications and liability protection. Clients receive customized operating agreements for business governance.
Durable Powers of Attorney
We draft durable powers of attorney for financial decision-making. Our documents specify effective dates and scope of authority while meeting North Carolina requirements. Clients learn about agent selection and document activation conditions. We provide both immediate and springing power options based on individual needs.
People
Chad Thornton
Owner/Attorney
Chad Thornton is a North Carolina licensed attorney since 1997, specializing in estate planning and small business law. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with both business and law degrees. As a father of two, he understands clients' scheduling challenges and offers flexible consultations. He serves the Triangle area and surrounding counties.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I really need?
Most clients need wills, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney. We'll help determine which documents best meet your family's specific needs during our consultation.
Can you help with business formation documents?
Yes, we assist with LLCs, partnerships, and S-Corporations including all necessary filings and operating agreements tailored to your business structure.
Do you offer home visits for document signing?
We provide home visits for consultations and document signing at your convenience, including evenings and weekends.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding counties including Johnston, Harnett, and Wake counties throughout the Triangle region.
How long does the estate planning process take?
We typically complete documents within one to two weeks after our initial meeting, with flexible scheduling for final document execution.
Are your legal services affordable for average families?
We offer competitive pricing with transparent costs, making estate planning accessible for families at all income levels.
