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Web Raulston

ARBOR LEGACY LAWYERS
https://arborlegacylawyers.com/

Areas of Focus: Life and Legacy Planning

Licensed States: Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina

Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call

What to expect from Web Raulston

A 15 - minute introductory call to understand your goals and needs
2 - Hour Working Family Wealth Planning Session: A comprehensive look at your current family dynamics and your assets, including a comprehensive inventory of everything you have so none of it is ever lost.
Education on how the law impacts your family and assets, focused specifically on your County, State and Country of residence.
A transparent discussion of your options to care for what matters most to you, no matter what happens Planning options that work for you and the people you love. Relational, compassionate counsel to help you make "eyes wide open" choices for yourself and the people you love.
A clear plan (not just documents) for how your assets and those you love will be taken care of, throughout every stage of life, and in the event of your incapacity or death.

About Web Raulston

For years, as a real estate attorney, I've guided countless clients through the intricate process of buying, selling, and transferring property. On the surface, these are often seen as transactional matters – contracts, deeds, and closing statements. But beneath the legal documents, I've consistently witnessed a deeper, more profound reality: property, and indeed all assets, are inextricably linked to family, emotions, and the hopes we hold for the future. I've seen firsthand how the division and transfer of assets, especially without a clear plan, can ignite bitter family strife, turning what should be a legacy into a source of immense stress and regret.

This understanding isn't just professional; it's deeply personal. My "why" for founding this firm, for dedicating my practice to helping families plan for their future, stems from a painful lesson learned within my own family.

My grandparents, salt-of-the-earth people, faced incredible financial hardships. They mismanaged some funds, then lost a significant portion in a recession. In their later years, they took out a reverse mortgage on their beloved home, hoping to secure their comfort. Yet, despite all these challenges, they defied the actuarial tables, outliving the mortuary chart to be left with virtually nothing.

When they passed away within a year of each other, the aftermath was heartbreaking chaos. There was no plan, no clear directives beyond a simple wish to be cremated. Probate dragged on endlessly, a bureaucratic nightmare that amplified the family's grief and confusion. My mother's brothers, each with their own lives and perspectives, were left to pick up the pieces. One had already passed away, another was living in a commune in Colorado, and the third, here locally, was burdened with the entire, unplanned estate.

The lack of guidance meant profound uncertainty. No one truly knew what my grandparents would have wanted for their final resting places. The speculation, coupled with the stark reality of their lost assets, led to deep-seated arguments and lasting resentment. One grandparent's ashes were spread in a beloved local spot, while the other's traveled thousands of miles away, a poignant symbol of the disconnect and unresolved questions. The legacy they intended to leave, one of love and family, became overshadowed by stress, speculation, and financial void.

It was in the midst of that turmoil that a powerful conviction solidified within me: We could do so much better with a plan.

This isn't just about avoiding probate or minimizing taxes; it's about preserving dignity, honoring wishes, and fostering harmony. It's about creating a roadmap for your loved ones, a clear expression of your values and desires, no matter what your "legacy" looks like in terms of assets. It's about ensuring that what you leave behind is admired, brings peace, and strengthens family bonds, rather than becoming a source of needless stress and division.

That is the core of Arbor Legacy Lawyers. We believe in proactive planning, thoughtful communication, and crafting a legacy that truly reflects who you are and what you cherish. We're here to help you build a future that is secure, clear, and leaves your family with a sense of peace, not strife.

Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call

THE PERSONAL FAMILY LAWYER PROMISE

What makes PFL lawyers different?

How you hire us.

We begin with a comprehensive inventory of everything you own, and everyone you love, and consider it all in a working meeting, called a Family Wealth Planning Session, to guide you to clarify your financial life and legacy goals before we draft a single document.
How we plan.

We work with you throughout every life stage to map out the most likely scenarios for you and the people you love, planning for each as your life, the law, and your assets change over time.
What we protect.

Our Life & Legacy Planning process ensures everything that matters most -- from your financial assets to your values, insights, stories and experience -- are captured and documented during your life and cared for over the generations to come.
What you see.

Transparency in our process, and our fees … all of which are flat fees, agreed to in advance, based on your choices and with no surprises, ensuring we stay on the same side of the table - supporting you to make a lifetime of great decisions - every step of the way.
How we deliver.

Our systems help you get clear and organized, overcoming the exact issues that keep most estate plans from actually working when they are needed most. We help you leave your family with a gift of love, and not a mess.
How our plans work.

One-and-done estate plans focused only on money are a recipe for a big mess. We help you throughout every stage of life and be there for the people you love, when you can’t be.