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Charles N. Griffin III
also known as Chess Griffin
About Charles
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 200-400 per hour
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in South Carolina for 28 years
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Licensed in North Carolina for 28 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
Kirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Griffin, PA
3714 Benson Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27609
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Charles N. Griffin III's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
27 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (27)
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Showing 6 - 10 of 27 reviews
Posted by Mary | October 20, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Mary Droessler
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
Posted by Don | July 01, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Excellent professional service
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 wit...
Posted by Bill | June 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Awesome experience
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.
Posted by Matt | January 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Wills
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.
Posted by Rob | October 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Outstanding Estate Planning & Legal Support
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 ...
Charles N. Griffin III's Lawyer Endorsements
"We have different clients in a probate matter. Chess is quite knowledgeable and epitomizes the positive professionalism.to which we aspire."
"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."
"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!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Chas is a very capable and diligent lawyer, and he takes care of his clients. Fred Morelock"
"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."
"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."
Gregory Herman-Giddens
Estate planning lawyer
William Alexander
Elder law lawyer
Larry McBennett
Estate planning lawyer
Fred Morelock
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Board Certified Specialist - Estate Planning and Probate Law, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Work Experience
1998 - Present
Attorney, Kirschbaum, Nanney, Keenan & Griffin, P.A.
1997 - 1998
Attorney, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart
Associations
2014 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section, Legislative CommitteeMember
2000 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Elder Law SectionMember
2000 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember
1998 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law SectionMember
1998 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Tax Law SectionMember
1998 - Present
Wake County Bar AssociationMember
1997 - Present
American Bar Association, Business Law SectionMember
1997 - Present
American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law SectionMember
1997 - Present
American Bar Association, Taxation SectionMember
1997 - Present
North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law SectionMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Estate of Smith
We 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.
Education
1997
Wake Forest University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1991
Vanderbilt University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Estate Planning Dinner
Estate Planning
2014
Catholic Convocation
Advance Directives: What You Need to Know
2005
End of Life Planning
Nuts and Bolts of End-of-Life Decision Making
Publications
1998
South Carolina Lawyer
Trade Secrets in South Carolina: New Act Changes Outlook for Employers
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How to have an executor of a will to get registered with wake county NC?
06 Jun 2017
Q&A
Which power of attorney do you need so it covers everything (insurance, financial ,property real estate)??
31 May 2017
Q&A
How long can an estate stay open in nc?
14 Nov 2016