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Heather Elizabeth Hazelwood

Estate planning Attorney at Durham, NC

5.0   24 reviews

also known as Heather Hazelwood, Hazelwood Law

Message
Professional & painless
Nina
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Streamlined process
Ann
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About Heather

Learn Heather’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    65%
    Estate planning doesn’t need to be a confusing, stressful, and opaque process. I demystify estate planning by making the process straightforward, manageable, and transparent. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more make up estate planning.

    12 years

  2. Probate
    20%
    Probate is the court process that validates a Will as authentic and empowers the Executor to carry out the instructions of the deceased. If someone dies without a Will, Probate still happens - through a process called intestacy.

    12 years

  3. Power of attorney
    5%
    A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document giving someone legal authority to act on your behalf/make decisions for you. Health Care and Durable General/Financial POAs are key parts of estate planning.

    12 years

  4. Trusts
    5%
    Trusts are used to manage, control, and distribute property. At and after death, a Trust functions similarly to a Will but is not subject to the Probate/Estate Court’s oversight.

    12 years

  5. Wills and living wills
    5%
    A Will is a legally enforceable document that specifies how someone wants their property and financial assets distributed after their death and who they want responsible for that process (Executor/Personal Representative).

    12 years

Estate planning made easier. Really. In 2016, I founded my Durham, North Carolina-based law firm, Ampersand Law, on the belief that estate planning doesn’t need to be a confusing, stressful, and opaque process. With more than 10 years of experience, I demystify estate planning by making the process straightforward, manageable, and transparent. The best way to see this in action (other than being my client) is via the law firm’s Instagram account @ampersandlawnc. Outside my (home)office, you can find me walking my dogs, working out with Peloton, reading, and/or drinking champagne (but generally not all at the same time).

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Licensed for 11 years
State NC
Status Active
Acquired 2016
Updated 05/14/2023
State WI
Status Good Standing
Acquired 2011
Updated 03/05/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Heather

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Ampersand Law
PO Box 61182
Durham, NC, 27715
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  24 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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Posted by Nina | June 29, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional & painless
I can't get enough of Heather. My spouse and I went through the whole estate planning shebang with Heather, who made the process completely painless. When a recent change in circumstances arose, we made some edits to our wills and yet again, it was so easy. And then it happened again. The third time was even smoother than the first and second--she even made flowcharts so that we could visualize what our unique plans were! While these conversations and decisions are not easy, working with Heather sure is.
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Posted by Ann | May 7, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Streamlined process
Very clear and streamlined process for creating the documents that no one wants to talk about...Heather was friendly, professional, and efficient. I highly recommend for your estate planning needs.
Posted by anonymous | May 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Helpful estate planning
Heather was great to work with, provided really clear information on the estate planning process for someone totally new to it. She also makes efforts to use inclusive language in her materials which I really appreciated. She provided straightforward but detailed answers to questions throughout the process and I recommend working with her.
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Posted by Carrie | May 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Simple & quality estate planning
I was overwhelmed by the idea of estate planning and unsure where to start. Heather made the whole process clear and simple. She's approachable and competent, and I'm so glad I went with Heather and finally crossed this off my to do list.
Posted by Ali | May 3, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Smart and easy to work with
Heather made the wills for my boyfriend and I, and it was clear she really knew her stuff. But she still managed to make the process super simple and clear. All we had to do was fill out a pretty short intake form and then review the drafts she wrote up for us. Heather very helpfully color coded different sections to let us know which things were fairly standard and which things we needed to make sure got our wishes across. She was so patient at responding to my many, many questions. As a procrastinator, I really appreciated that she gave us deadlines to get things done. And at the same time, it was clear that she could be flexible if those deadlines didn't work. I completely trust that Heather put together the best documents for us (an unmarried couple), and I recommend her to all my friends.
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Posted by Richie | May 3, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Wonderful Expereince
My wife and I began working with Heather several years ago when we decided it was time to adult and draft up our estate planning documents. We were tempted to go the LegalZoom route but, after an initial discussion with Heather, it was clear that a product drafted by a true legal professional was the most appropriate route for us. That way, we could ensure that our wishes were accurately captured and no scenarios were left unaddressed. Working with Heather was, and remains to be, a pleasure. She is knowledgable; professional; thorough; patient; and kind. We were thrilled with the results and have recommended Heather's services to friends and family members alike.
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Posted by Audrey | May 3, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Accessible, friendly, and responsive!
I loved working with Heather on my will -- she's very approachable, patient, and really took the time to get to know me and what I needed (and all my hang-ups). I was (and am) in my early 40s when Heather helped me start getting my affairs in order. I wanted to be prepared for myself and for my family even though I'm in excellent health, etc. I was initially intimidated by all the information and what I thought was an extensive process but Heather was able to point me toward resources to help me make decisions, talked through the details, and also provided drafts that were focused and seemingly designed to help me ask further questions. Heather is also very good at managing her workflow and projects. I always knew when to expect the next iteration and what was expected of me as a client. For a type A person such as myself, this collaborative process was a dream.
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Posted by Amy | January 5, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning - wills, POAs, health care docs
We worked with Heather to update our estate planning documents. Heather was great to work with! She knew the NC law and guided us to build documents that would make it easy for our executor and associated people to follow our wishes and make their tasks "easier." She also helped us understand the issues involved in naming people outside of NC in our estate documents. We would definitely work with her again.
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Posted by Hal and Anne | June 19, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Recommended without reservation!
After many years of delaying preparing various legal documents (Will, Health Care Power of Attorney, and Durable Power of Attorney) we contacted Heather Hazelwood. After an initial consultation is was clear that she was pleasant, diligent, knowledgeable and very easy to work with and any questions we had were answered clearly and promptly. The entire process was very easy, actually pleasant, and not nearly as painful as we had feared! My advice would be to do it sooner rather than later and when you decide to get your documents in order I would recommend working with Heather without reservation.
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Posted by Beth | October 30, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent, Professional Service
I hired Heather for an estate plan and will. She takes the time to explain legal-ese, she listens carefully, and she outlines expectations clearly (both hers and what you can expect from her). Heather takes the stress out of what can be a stressful issue. She was great to work with and I highly recommend her services.
Posted by George | September 25, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Reliable and professional
Heather is a consummate estate planning attorney. She drafted wills and estate planning documents for myself and my spouse, taking care of a long-delayed task we needed to do to take care of our growing family. Heather kept us on track, explained processes clearly and left us very happy and reassured that we had made the right choice with the right legal professional.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood October 30, 2017
George, thank you so much for your kind words. It was my pleasure to help you get estate plan documents in place! Congrats on your new arrival!
Posted by Molly | August 30, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate planning
Heather is someone you can trust. She is detailed and you know she is certain in her responses to questions. Her process is easy as possible with secure electronic delivery, online scheduling, and what I appreciated most was clear time frame expectations from the start. I see a lot estate planning documents in my business. I am confident that Heather has drafted the right documents for us.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood September 5, 2017
Molly, thank you for your kind words. It was my pleasure to work with your family.
Posted by Viki | July 1, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Will preparation
Heather Hazelwood did an amazing job for us. She went to great lengths in the preparation of our wills. My husband has profound health issues. Heather found creative ways to keep us on track and help us to complete these important documents.
Response from Heather Hazelwood August 29, 2017
Viki, you are so very kind. I appreciate the complexity undertaking estate planning work while also being a primary caregiver. It was an honor to work with you and your husband. Thank you for your review.
Posted by Shruti | February 20, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great experience
I had a wonderful experience working with Heather. I am a young professional with little knowledge about living wills and wanted to prepare documents for the first time. Heather explained everything well, answered all my questions and was very timely in preparing my documents. Scheduling appointments with her and communicating with her via email was also incredibly easy. Overall I had a great experience and have already recommended her to other folks I know!
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Response from Heather Hazelwood September 5, 2017
Shruti, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It was a pleasure to work with you.
Posted by anonymous | November 4, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Setting up LLC
I hired Heather to look over my LLC (a single-member type) process. I created my own LLC documents and then gave them to her for review. She also answered my questions and made helpful suggestions to make sure my documents were up to date, conformed to NC laws, and was legally sound and valid. Because of that I was able to create a LLC fairly easily and quickly and very painlessly - which is a feat considering I've never done one before! This is a great cost-effective way to make sure that your LLC documents are up to standard, especially if you do them yourself, need to change them, or amend them. I would definitely hire her again!
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Response from Heather Hazelwood August 29, 2017
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was my pleasure to work with you to ensure your LLC documents were in order and you were able to have a smooth start to opening your own business!
Posted by Teresa | September 19, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning for Dad
Heather did an outstanding job working with my father-in-law to set up a revocable trust, general power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney. He is a person of modest means who simply wanted to make sure that his choices were in the best interest of his adult children. Heather listened carefully and made sure he knew all of his options. She patiently guided him through the process and was readily available to answer questions. We enjoyed working with her and will certainly retain her when we re-visit our own estate plan.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood September 20, 2016
Teresa - it was my pleasure to work with your father-in-law, in coordination with you and your husband. It's gratifying to be able to help a family make plans together and I really appreciate the multi-generational approach the three of you took to this matter. Thanks again and best wishes to all of you!
Posted by Matt | August 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
High Praise for Heather Hazelwood - Estate Planning
Heather assisted my wife and I will our estate planning. She clearly explained all of our options, was a great listener as we considered what steps we should take, was highly organized, and help keep us on track to finish the process in a timely manner. Thanks so much for making this a smooth and positive experience for us, Heather!
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Response from Heather Hazelwood September 20, 2016
Matt - thank you so much for your kind words. It was my pleasure to work with your family. Also, it's always an extra treat when I get to work with a fellow Badger (On Wisconsin!). Thanks again and all the best to you and your family!
Posted by anonymous | July 18, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Closing a small business
Heather was very helpful and organized when I had to close a small business I started with other people. She made sure that we stayed on track and looked up all the relevant documents and information and made what might have been a tedious and confusing process relatively straightforward. I would recommend her if you are looking for an attorney for all your small business matters.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood July 19, 2016
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind words.
Posted by anonymous | July 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Recommendation for Heather Hazelwood
We would highly recommend Heather Hazelwood as an attorney. She worked with us to develop a will, which we had never done before. With two young children at the time, we wanted to be sure our wishes were clear. Heather met with us to discuss various options and guided us through the array of paperwork. She was very patient and answered all of our questions. She is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and very smart. We know that she takes her responsibilities very seriously and holds all information in confidence. We felt very comfortable working with her, and would recommend her without reservation.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood July 18, 2016
Thank you so much for your kind words. Working with families like yours is one of the reasons I love the estate planning side of my practice!
Posted by Julie | July 13, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Personal counselor
Heather provided me with peace of mind and great support in the writing of my will and estate plan. Who really wants to think about taking care of your children upon your own death? Makes you anxious, right? But Heather was calming and supportive as she took me through this process. She is knowledgeable, professional, and personal. All the best you need in a personal attorney.
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Response from Heather Hazelwood July 15, 2016
Julie - thanks so much for your kind words. It's been my pleasure working with you!
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 175-250 per hour
Payment methods
Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Solo Practitioner
  • Hazelwood Law, PLLC dba Ampersand Law
  • 2016 - Present
  • Associate
  • Hurley, Burish & Stanton, S.C.
  • 2011 - 2015

Education

  • University of Wisconsin
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2011
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 2000

Legal Cases

  • Estate Administration
  • Successfully administered & court case closed
  • Trust Administration
  • Trust successfully administered & terminated
  • Estate Planning - streamlined
  • Estate plan completed
View all legal cases

Associations

  • NCAWA Judicial Endorsement Committee
  • Member
  • 2021 - Present
  • Sixteenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee
  • Member
  • 2020 - Present
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Licensed Attorney
  • 2016 - Present
  • North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (Durham/Orange chapter)
  • Vice President, President, Immediate Past President
  • 2016 - Present
  • Durham County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • Sixteenth Judicial District Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Licensed Attorney
  • 2011 - Present
  • Exceptional Kids Yoga Project, Inc.
  • Board President
  • 2014 - 2018
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Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
  • American Bar Foundation
  • 2021
  • 2019 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society
  • Supreme Court of North Carolina
  • 2019
  • Graduation Cum Laude
  • UW Law School
  • 2011
  • Dean’s Academic Achievement Award
  • UW Law School
  • 2011
  • Mathys Memorial Award for Service to Moot Court
  • UW Law School
  • 2011
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Publications

View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Clio's Legal Trends Report for Solo Lawyers
  • Clio's Legal Trends Report for Solo Lawyers
  • 2021
  • Estate Planning 101: Just the Basics
  • Estate Planning 101: Just the Basics
  • 2020
  • Purpose & Power
  • Estate Planning: The Ultimate Adulting Task
  • 2020
  • Estate Planning: During the COVID-19 Pandemic & Beyond
  • Estate Planning: During the COVID-19 Pandemic & Beyond
  • 2020
  • Clio's Innovate Legal Online: Practice Area Meetup
  • Navigating theChanging Estate Planning Landscape During the COVID-19 Crisis
  • 2020
  • Clio's Innovate Legal Online
  • Level Up Your Firm's Marketing and Social Media
  • 2020
  • What's Your Plan? The Basics of Estate Planning - A Free Informational Session
  • Estate Planning
  • 2016
  • Casualty Claims Seminar - “Negotiations with Insurance Claims”
  • Mediation
  • 2015
  • Casualty Claims Seminar - “Negotiations with Insurance Claims”
  • Mediation
  • 2014
  • UW Law 743: “Art Exhibition Controversy”
  • Negotiation/Mediation
  • 2014
  • Casualty Claims Seminar - “Negotiations with Insurance Claims”
  • Mediation
  • 2013
  • UW Law 743: “Art Exhibition Controversy”
  • Negotiation/Mediation
  • 2013
  • HIPAA Update
  • HIPAA
  • 2013
  • Casualty Claims Seminar - “Negotiations with Insurance Claims”
  • Mediation
  • 2012
  • Lunch & Learn Seminar: Advance Directives
  • Advance Directives
  • 2012
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Attorney endorsements

Received (7)
Given (0)
Endorse Heather
Ana Alexander headshot
Ana Alexander
Estate planning Attorney | May 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I highly recommend Heather as an Estate Planning lawyer. She is not only highly skilled and experienced, but she is organized, thorough and meticulous,."
Anne Gyemant Paris headshot
Anne Gyemant Paris
Business Attorney | Nov 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Jania Braswell headshot
Jania Braswell
Estate planning Attorney | Nov 29
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Nicole M. Quallen headshot
Nicole Quallen
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I send lots of my family law clients to Heather to create or adjust their wills during divorce. I hear back from them that Heather is responsive, professional, and cost-effective."
Kraig A. Rueth headshot
Kraig Rueth
Estate planning Attorney | Jun 23
Relationship: Friend
"I went to law school with Heather. We had many classes together and worked on many projects together. Heather is a person of the highest professionalism and dedication to not only her craft, but her clients."
Brandon Alexander Robinson headshot
Brandon Robinson
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I highly commend Attorney Heather Hazelwood to the North Carolina Triangle-area community. Besides her erudition and deep substantive knowledge of transactional and estate-planning matters, she practices law with the greater good of society in mind. The combination of these attributes, in my opinion, is what makes an especially fine attorney."
Jeffrey Larkin Austin headshot
Jeffrey Austin
Business Attorney | Jun 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I know Heather as a small business and estate planning in the community and am happy to recommend her to anyone needing such services."
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Durham Estate planning Lawyer Heather Elizabeth Hazelwood
Heather Elizabeth Hazelwood
Estate planning Attorney
Durham, NC
Licensed for 11 years
Message