Coastal Legal Counsel

12/09/2025

How should you approach your estate in Q4? Please read the article below by Attorney Aaron D. Lindquist on key steps you can take before year-end to optimize your estate plan.

12/10/2024

**Big Changes Ahead for Coastal Legal Counsel**

After careful consideration, Attorney Lindquist is closing the real estate portion of the practice effective December 20th. This change will allow Attorney Lindquist to focus and dedicate the firm's resources to what he is truly passionate about – estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters.

We are incredibly grateful for the trust our clients, realtors, and colleagues placed in us over the years in the real estate space. We’ll continue to ensure a smooth transition for all ongoing matters and are here to assist with any questions.

Looking ahead, we are excited to help families and individuals secure peace of mind for the future. Thank you for your continued support!

12/04/2024

Many people I've spoken with have not even heard of the Corporate Transparency Act ("CTA"). Yet, it stands to regulate almost every single business (that isn't a sole proprietorship) in the US. A Texas judge just enjoined the CTA on the grounds that it violates Congress's Constitutional authority.

The Corporate Transparency Act and its implementing regulations, which require US business entities to report stakeholder information to the Treasury Department, were preliminarily blocked nationwide by a Texas federal court on Tuesday.

10/04/2024

WE MOVED!!!

Our office is now in the Porters Neck area of Wilmington at 7627 Market Street, Suite 201-4, Wilmington, NC 28411. All of our other contact information remains the same. We look forward to continuing to service our clients from our new office location!

Send a message to learn more

03/22/2024

Have you heard about the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”)? Here are the highlights:

What is it? The CTA is a federal law that came into effect on January 1, 2024, aiming to enhance transparency in business ownership.

Who does it affect? Virtually every small business was formed through the North Carolina Secretary of State (or your state’s equivalent).

Why is it important? The CTA aims to provide law enforcement agencies with business ownership information, helping to combat illicit activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing.

What do I need to do? If you own or manage a business you must understand your reporting obligations under the CTA, which can require submitting copies of government-issued identification and other personally identifying information.

Stay informed and compliant with the Corporate Transparency Act to contribute to a more transparent and secure business environment!

Many companies are required to report information to FinCEN about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. FinCEN began accepting reports on January 1, 2024. Learn more about reporting deadlines.

03/01/2024

Today, Friday, March 1 is the annual 4ALL-Lawyers on Call pro bono event where anyone in North Carolina can call and talk to a lawyer for free, 10am-7pm. Several hundred lawyers, paralegals, and law students will be volunteering throughout the day. Please share the info!

02/23/2024

Last week we noted the potential pitfalls of adding joint owners to your 🏦🏦 bank account(s)🏦🏦. While joint ownership may not be the answer, you should consider adding payable-on-death (POD) beneficiaries to your financial accounts.

The benefits of designating POD beneficiaries include:

(1) ✈️✈️ Streamlined Asset Transfer✈️✈️: POD accounts allow for assets to be transferred directly to beneficiaries upon your passing, bypassing the probate process.

(2)🚪🚪Privacy and Control 🚪🚪: Keep your asset distribution private and within your control by designating specific beneficiaries for each account.

(3) 🗣️🗣️Avoid Family Disputes🗣️🗣️: Clearly outlining beneficiaries can help prevent potential disputes among family members regarding asset distribution.

(4) ⏩⏩Fast and Easy⏩⏩: Setting up POD beneficiaries is a quick and simple process that can be done at your bank, brokerage, or other financial institution.

(5) 🧘🧘Flexibility 🧘🧘: You have the flexibility to change beneficiaries at any time, allowing you to adapt to life changes. Changing POD beneficiaries is much easier and faster than rewriting your Will.

Utilizing POD beneficiaries can help you ensure that your loved ones are taken care of without having to go through the probate process to get access to money they are otherwise entitled to. As always, you should discuss the use of POD beneficiaries with your attorney or financial advisor to ensure that it is a proper strategy within the confines of your existing estate and financial plans.

02/16/2024

At Coastal Legal Counsel, we understand the importance of estate planning and asset management. This is why we want to highlight a potential pitfall regarding joint ownership of 🏦 🏦bank accounts🏦🏦. Here's why adding someone as a joint owner can inadvertently lead to disinheriting others:

(1) Survivorship Rights: Joint ownership typically includes survivorship rights, meaning that upon the death of one owner, the remaining funds automatically pass to the other joint owner.

(2) Impact on Inheritance: If funds are held jointly with the right of survivorship, they will not be considered part of the deceased's estate in North Carolina. This can potentially bypass instructions in your will or trust. 📄📄📄

(3) Unintended Consequences: This arrangement could unintentionally disinherit intended beneficiaries, leading to disputes and legal challenges. 💸💸💸

To avoid such complications, it's crucial to consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure your wishes are appropriately documented and legally protected.

10/13/2023

Hey everyone! 👋

Unfortunately, real estate fraud is on the rise. We wanted to share some valuable information with you about the benefits of signing up for fraud notification warnings from the North Carolina Fraud Detection Alert System. 🚨

Protect Your Property: By receiving alerts about potential fraud or unauthorized activity related to your property, you can take swift action to safeguard your assets.

Early Detection: Fraudulent activities can be nipped in the bud with early notifications, minimizing potential damage and losses.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have a system actively looking out for your interests provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what matters most.

Timely Response: With alerts in real-time, you can respond promptly to address any suspicious activity.

Stay Informed: Stay in the loop about potential threats to your property without having to actively search for updates.

Don't wait for fraud to strike – take a proactive step to protect what's important to you. Sign up for the North Carolina Fraud Detection Alert System today and enjoy these benefits!

Currently, 75 of the 100 County Registers of Deeds offer this program. Learn more at https://www.ncard.us/fraud-detection-alert-system/.

09/22/2023

If you create a business in North Carolina, you will very likely receive a letter like the one below. These letters are not fraudulent, but they ask you to pay the (somewhat) official-sounding North Carolina Business Filing Center way too much money.

The North Carolina Business Filing Center is not a government agency. It's a business trying to get you to pay them for things you can do for free or at a nominal charge.

Note the two items circled in red in the picture below.

1) Certificates of Existence can be ordered directly from the North Carolina Secretary of State's website for $12!!! $12!!! Not $89.95. Don't overpay for something you can find very easily yourself. Just search for your business at ----> https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/_Business_Registration.

Once you find your business, there's an option to "Order a Document Online".

2) An EIN can be obtained from the IRS online in mere minutes for FREE!!!!! DO NOT pay $199.95 to get an EIN. That's right, your tax dollars have been used to make your life easier in this regard. Get your EIN for FREE here ----> https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

If you're considering starting a business, Coastal Legal Counsel will form the business with the Secretary of State, create your governing documents, and secure an EIN for you. We will ensure that you leave our office with what you need to lawfully transact business. You can schedule a consultation online at https://coastallegalcounsel.com/schedule-a-consult or by calling us at 910-409-6231.

08/10/2023

There have been a few changes around the office this month!

First, as of August 1, 2023, our office location moved. We moved across the hallway and are now located at 1904 Eastwood Road, Suite 316, Wilmington, NC.

Second, our new mailing address is 8209 Market Street, Suite A, PMB 256, Wilmington, NC 28411.

Third, we have updated our website so that clients can now schedule a virtual or in-person appointment. We also offer the option to come to you. Check out our new scheduling page below!

As always, we're here to help you with your estate planning, business law, probate, real estate, and guardianship matters. Call us at 910-409-6231 or schedule online!

You can schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Attorney Aaron D. Lindquist by clicking on one of the buttons below.

07/21/2023

📢 Important Announcement: Coastal Legal Counsel is Moving!

Dear valued clients and friends,

We are excited to share some news with you! Coastal Legal Counsel is moving from Suite 315 to Suite 316 at Lumina Station, 1904 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC, effective August 1, 2023.

This new space better accommodates our team and clients' needs. Suite 316 will provide us with a more comfortable and efficient environment to serve you even better.

Our commitment to providing top-notch legal services remains steadfast, and we look forward to continuing to assist you with all your legal needs. Whether it's closing real estate transactions, crafting bespoke estate plans, or offering general counsel services to your small business, Coastal Legal Counsel is here to help you every step of the way.

We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and trust in our firm. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your legal journey. We can't wait to welcome you to our new office suite and continue serving you with excellence.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always here for you. Our contact numbers remain the same, and you can still reach us at 910-409-6231.