redcomet, Author at Merline & Meacham

Take steps to help ensure your estate plan won’t be challenged after your death

It’s not uncommon for family members to contest a loved one’s will or challenge other estate planning documents. But you can take steps now to minimize the likelihood of such challenges after your death and protect both your wishes and your legacy. Family disputes often arise not from legal flaws, but from confusion, surprise or […]

Are you and your spouse considering splitting gifts?

The gift tax annual exclusion allows you to transfer up to $19,000 (for 2026) per beneficiary gift-tax-free, without tapping your $15 million (for 2026) lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. You can double the exclusion amount if you elect to split the gifts with your spouse. Gift-splitting in a nutshell Gift-splitting allows married couples to […]

There’s still time to set up a SEP and reduce your 2025 taxes

If you own a business or are self-employed and haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan, consider establishing one before you file your 2025 tax return. If you choose a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), you’ll be able make deductible 2025 contributions to it, saving you taxes. Not only is the SEP deadline favorable, but […]

Owning real estate in multiple states can negatively affect beneficiaries

A vacation home, rental property or future retirement residence may play an important role in your long-term plans. However, if you hold properties across multiple states, it can create estate planning issues that can be easily overlooked. If not addressed properly, these issues can have consequences for your heirs. Multiple properties can result in multiple […]

Middleton Sworn into the North Carolina Bar

Merline & Meacham, P.A. is proud to announce that attorney M. Chalmers Middleton II was officially sworn into the North Carolina State Bar today. This milestone marks a significant expansion of the firm’s ability to serve clients with complex legal needs across state lines. With this admission, Chalmers joins Michelle King as one of the firm’s attorneys licensed to practice in both North Carolina and South […]

Michell King speaks at the 2026 SC Bar Convention

Fantastic job by our very own Michelle King at this year’s South Carolina Bar Convention in Savannah, Georgia! Michelle gave an outstanding presentation on state and federal legislative updates for the Probate, Estate Planning and Trust Section of the South Carolina Bar. We are incredibly proud of her continued dedication to the legal community. Michelle’s […]