Burt Schain Law Group, P.C.

02/02/2026

People in the transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming community face regular harassment from the use of their birth name, or “dead name”, which they have left behind. A legal name change allows these individuals’ official identification to reflect their true selves.

A name change may allow transgender or gender-nonconforming people's official ID to reflect their true selves. Click for more/DIY info.

01/31/2026

When a person who owns property in more than one state dies, it's sometimes necessary to open estates in each of those jurisdictions. The home state's one is "domiciliary"; the others are "ancillary".

Ancillary probate is necessary when an estate includes out-of-state property; the laws of the state in which the property is located apply.

01/29/2026

Don’t wait to find out the hard way that your marital property is not titled properly. After losing a spouse, the survivor has enough to worry about without the added legal nightmare created by potentially losing half of the marital home to creditors or unintended heirs.

Did you buy your home before getting married? You must take action to be protected by "tenancy by the entirety" ownership.

01/27/2026

What odds are you okay playing?

In limited cases, a will is not critical. It's best to consult an attorney and make a plan with pre- and post-death considerations in mind.

01/16/2025

https://burtlangley.com/divorce-and-family-law/prenuptials-postnuptials/Congratulations! You’ve found The One. You’re walking on air, sippin’ on sunshine, setting a date. Then someone asks the question that makes your blood run cold:

Prenuptial agreements can bring up uncomfortable feelings, but they are a wise choice in some first and many second marriages.

01/09/2025

When your marriage hits the rocks, family and friends don't always give the best advice.

When your marriage hits the rocks, friends and family don't always give the best advice. Five "don'ts" for handling separation and divorce.

01/02/2025

Are you the heir to property located in North Carolina even though the owner lived in another state? If so, an “ancillary probate” of this part of the estate may be required before title to the property can pass to you – and it’s best to have a local attorney handle it.

Ancillary probate is necessary when an estate includes out-of-state property; the laws of the state in which the property is located apply.

12/28/2024

If you are considering litigation, ask yourself these questions. Attorney Katherine Langley can help you make a sane risk/reward analysis.

12/18/2024

There are some loose ends that typically need to be tied up once your divorce has been finalized. Review this checklist to consider updating your property records, health insurance, and estate planning

Checklist for post-divorce: property records, refinance of debt, beneficiaries, health insurance, name changes, and estate planning/wills.

12/11/2024

In North Carolina, "absolute divorce" is the legal action that terminates the marriage. This is the easy part: you can DIY or hire an attorney for convenience. But it is important that you have taken care of the division of the marital estate first, as equitable distribution claims are lost upon divorce.

In North Carolina, "absolute divorce" is the legal action that terminates the marriage. You can DIY or hire an attorney for convenience.