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Charles N. Griffin III

also known as Chess Griffin
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Avvo Rating10
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Licensed for 23 years
  • Free consultation
Charles N. Griffin III
Charles N. Griffin III
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About Charles

Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law.

Mr. Griffin is a native North Carolinian who is admitted to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina.  He attended college at Vanderbilt University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English.  He then attended the Wake Forest University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1997.  During law school he was a member and Senior Articles Editor of the Wake Forest Law Review.  He was also a member of the Wake Forest Moot Court Board and the Wake Forest Elder Law Clinic.

 

Mr. Griffin is a member:of the American Bar Association (Business Law, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, and Tax Sections), the North Carolina Bar Association (Business Law, Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Tax Sections), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Wake County Bar Association, and the Wake County Estate Planning Council. He is accredited to practice before the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.  He is also a member of the Legislative Committee and CLE Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning Section.

 

Mr. Griffin is a shareholder in the Raleigh law firm of Kirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Griffin,P.A.  For almost twenty years he has provided legal advice to clients in matters relating to estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, elder law, guardianship, and tax.  Mr. Griffin is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization.

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Practice areas

ProbateCorporate and incorporationEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 50%

    24 years

  2. Corporate and incorporation: 25%

    24 years

  3. Probate: 25%

    24 years

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1735209 1453919853

Contact

Kirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Griffin, PA

3714 Benson Drive
Raleigh, NC, 27609

Website
http://www.kirschlaw.com 

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    SCGood Standing199708/04/2021
    NCActive199707/24/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers60
    Legal guides1
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate granted
    Super LawyersThomson Reuters2018
    AV Preeminent RatedMartindale-Hubbell2016
    Board Certified Specialist - Estate Planning and Probate LawNorth Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization2014
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    AttorneyKirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Griffin, P.A.1998 - Present
    AttorneyOgletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart1997 - 1998
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section, Legislative CommitteeMember2014 - Present
    North Carolina Bar Association, Elder Law SectionMember2000 - Present
    National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember2000 - Present
    North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law SectionMember1998 - Present
    North Carolina Bar Association, Tax Law SectionMember1998 - Present
    Wake County Bar AssociationMember1998 - Present
    American Bar Association, Business Law SectionMember1997 - Present
    American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law SectionMember1997 - Present
    American Bar Association, Taxation SectionMember1997 - Present
    North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law SectionMember1997 - Present
    Publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    South Carolina LawyerTrade Secrets in South Carolina: New Act Changes Outlook for Employers1998
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Wake Forest University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1997
    Vanderbilt UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1991
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Estate Planning DinnerEstate Planning2016
    Catholic ConvocationAdvance Directives: What You Need to Know2014
    End of Life PlanningNuts and Bolts of End-of-Life Decision Making2005
    Legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    Estate of SmithWe were able to help the parties resollve this matter in an amicable manner without resulting in litigation. It was a very messy probate and there were hard feelings all around but ultimately I think we got it resolved to everyone's mutual satisfaction.

    Reviews

    (23)
    5 Star
    		96%
    4 Star
    		0%
    3 Star
    		0%
    2 Star
    		0%
    1 Star
    		4%
    Review Charles Griffin

    Excellent Service

    Posted by

    Chess was exactly what we were looking for when my wife and I needed to get our estate in order. Chess spent the time up front to explain to us in detail what we needed and what he recommended and made sure that we understood every step in the process. This was a very low pressure situation -- he works within your constraints and timeline. I did check out a few other lawyers prior and they were all very high pressure. We couldn't be happier with our experience. We are also impressed that he said we can come in whenever and talk to him or have him review our documents in the future to ensure that we have proper coverage and without charging us additional fees. Some firms I went to want a yearly maintenance fee! We would use Chess again in a minute.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    Charles Griffin's response: Thank you very much for the kind words! We try very hard to provide excellent legal work at a fair price with down-to-earth and personable service. I appreciate you taking the time to leave the review!

    Kind, courteous, and professional - best in Raleigh

    Posted by

    We have worked with Chess Griffin and his paralegal for several years and have always found him to be very kind, courteous, and professional. After having worked with other estate planning lawyers many years ago, he has been a breath of fresh air. He and his staff have bent over backwards to help us out with various side matters, often at no charge. He reviewed some out of state documents for a friend of mine at no charge too. I think he is very respected among other professionals too, based on what my CPA and financial advisor told me. Highly recommended.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    Charles Griffin's response: You are very kind to take the time to write such a nice review. Thank you very much! We have the best clients and really enjoy working with them and their families.

    Professional and caring service

    Posted by

    Mr. Griffin worked with my husband and I with our legal estate plan. We worked with him during COVID-19, so we did our work by Zoom and telephone. Despite these limitation, I believe that Mr. Griffin got to know us and delivered legal documents that totally met our needs
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Mary Droessler

    Posted by

    We have been working with Chess for years and we would not think about going to another attorney. he is kind, sincere and trustworthy. I come from a whole family of attorneys in another state...father ( He was also a judge), two brothers and a son. I would recommend him to anyone
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Excellent professional service

    Posted by

    Chess was an excellent choice to review our situation and guide us through estate planning. He was thorough and explained varios options and rational for making certain decisions. Once going through the planning process, he was very efficient in completing our documents. We were very satisfied with the finished documents, and appreciated his professionalism.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Awesome experience

    Posted by

    We had a fantastic experience with Chess. He was thorough and helpful and just a really down to earth and nice guy. We recommend him to everyone we know.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Wills

    Posted by

    We are exceptionally pleased with the personal care and understanding of our needs which Chess demonstrated to my wife and I. His explanations were thorough and comprehensive as he patiently addressed all of our questions. We highly recommend Chess to anyone with estate planning needs.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Outstanding Estate Planning & Legal Support

    Posted by

    My wife and I needed a complete review and re-write of all of our estate planning documents; our revocable trust needed to be cancelled; and we needed to understand any impacting differences between North Carolina law and the laws of our previous residence (Canada). Chess Griffin and his legal team covered all those bases in just two face-to-face meetings. Our trust has been cancelled, all of our estate planning documents are updated (wills, powers of attorney, living wills and health care documents), and we both feel comfortable that we understand anything unique to North Carolina that could affect us one way or another. Chess brought two invaluable, complimentary skills to the table in his effort to meet our needs - first, his listening skills are exceptional, and, second, he is highly skilled at communicating all of the legal concepts and requirements in simple language. The turn-around time and document accuracy provided by his team members was just as exceptional. Finally, his fees are more than fair and reasonable. We are both beyond satisfied with the legal services Chess provided us - we are delighted!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Great estate planning experience

    Posted by

    We recently worked with Chess Griffin on our estate plan and found the experience to be very positive. Chess is easy to speak with, and he took the time to explain everything to us and answer my many questions.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Estate Planning

    Posted by

    Chess was instrumental in helping me setup and implement my last will and estate. His expertise was exactly what I needed to understand everything and feel comfortable with our overall direction. Highly recommended...
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney
    See all reviews

    Attorney endorsements

    (6)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

    Larry McBennett, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 11, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    We have different clients in a probate matter. Chess is quite knowledgeable and epitomizes the positive professionalism.to which we aspire.

    William Alexander, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 12, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. I know Chess Griffin from working with him and collaborating with him on complex tax issues at continuing education events; further, he uses the most advanced software to insure that his clients receive the best documents that can be written. Importantly, he values taking good care of his clients. Plus, Chess is brilliant but humble, and very easy to work with on any matter. He is a top lawyer in my book.

    Andrew Dickens

    I am impressed with Mr. Griffin's thoughtful advice and answers to legal questions on Avvo. He has an in-depth understanding of the law and an ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively. I endorse this lawyer!

    Fred Morelock

    I endorse this lawyer. Chas is a very capable and diligent lawyer, and he takes care of his clients. Fred Morelock

    Gregory Herman-Giddens, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 16, 2016
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    Chess and I worked together on a specialized planning matter and I found him to be knowledgeable, personable, and dedicated to serving his client. I endorse this lawyer.

    William Alexander, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 12, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. I know Chess Griffin from working with him and collaborating with him on complex tax issues at continuing education events; further, he uses the most advanced software to insure that his clients receive the best documents that can be written. Importantly, he values taking good care of his clients. Plus, Chess is brilliant but humble, and very easy to work with on any matter. He is a top lawyer in my book.

    Larry McBennett, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 11, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    We have different clients in a probate matter. Chess is quite knowledgeable and epitomizes the positive professionalism.to which we aspire.

    David Henson, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 12, 2015
    Relationship: Worked together on matter

    I have known Charles for many years and highly recommend his abilities. We have worked not only on matters jointly together, but he and his firm have also provided direct legal services to my law firm. He has the highest level of work ethic, reliability, integrity and character.

    Cost

    RATES
    • Hourly Rates$200-$400/hour
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs
      60 minutes
    OTHER BILLING TYPES
    • Retainer Some attorneys require an upfront payment to secure their services before they begin their work.
      Sometimes
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card