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- Gregory Herman-Giddens
About Gregory
I grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and most of my family is in the area. I now split my time between Naples, FL and Chapel Hill, but remain a die hard Tar Heel fan! I guide high net worth individuals and families through the complex legal and tax aspects of estate planning, probate and trust administration. After over 26 years of helping folks, I like to say that I specialize in "peace of mind."
Personally, I enjoy traveling, the outdoors, reading history, and spending time with my rather large family!
Practice areas
- Estate planning: 30%
Sophisticated estate planning, including use of revocable and irrevocable trusts, estate tax planning, asset protection planning, and special needs planning
27 years, 2,000 cases
- Probate: 30%
Estate and trust administration in North Carolina and Florida.
32 years, 600 cases
- Tax: 20%
Fiduciary income tax, estate and gift tax, individual income tax planning
28 years, 400 cases
- Trusts: 20%
I serve as counsel for trustees, beneficiaries and trust protectors; as well as handle modifications and terminations of irrevocable trusts.
27 years, 1,750 cases
Languages spoken
English
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Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY | Currently registered | 2011 | 06/01/2020 |
| TN | Active | 2004 | 06/26/2020 |
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 1992 | 04/19/2020 |
| NC | Active | 1988 | 07/09/2020 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate Law | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2019 |
| Pro Bono Honor Society | North Carolina Bar Foundation | 2018 |
| North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate Law | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2018 |
| The President's Volunteer Service Award | Corporation for National & Community Service | 2018 |
| North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate Law | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2017 |
| Fellow | American Bar Foundation | 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Bono Publico | North Carolina Legal Aid and New Hanover County Bar Association | 2012 |
| North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate Law | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
| Best Tax Lawyer in North Carolina | Voted on Legal Force website | 2009 |
| Impact Financial Leader | Triangle Business Leader magazine | 2008 |
| North Carolina Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate Law | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2007 |
| Legal Elite in Tax and Estate Planning | Business Leader Magazine | 2007 |
| Certified Financial Planner | Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. | 2007 |
| Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialist | North Carolina State Bar Board of Specialization | 1997 |
| Phi Beta Kappa | Phi Beta Kappa | 1984 |
| National Psychology Honor Society | Psi Chi | 1984 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholder | Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. | 2019 - Present |
| Manager | TrustProtector, LLC | 2007 - Present |
| Of Counsel | The Andersen Firm | 2004 - 2004 |
| President and Shareholder | TrustCounsel | 1996 - 2019 |
| Associate | Northen Blue Law Firm | 1994 - 1996 |
| Associate | Catalano Fisher Gregory & Crown | 1993 - 1993 |
|---|
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Law Section | Member | 2012 - Present |
| Law Society of England and Wales | Solicitor (non-practising) | 2011 - Present |
| WealthCounsel | Speakers Bureau | 2009 - Present |
| American Bar Association | Member - Advisory Panel | 2008 - Present |
| WealthCounsel | Member | 2007 - Present |
| North Carolina Association of Non-Profits | Pro Bono Panel Member | 2003 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section | Member | 1994 - Present |
| North Carolina Bar Association, Tax Law Section | Member | 1994 - Present |
| Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section | Member | 1992 - Present |
| American Bar Association | Member | 1988 - Present |
| 15-B Judicial District Bar | President | 2014 - 2015 |
| 15-B Judicial District Bar | Secretary/Treasurer | 2012 - 2014 |
| Orange County Bar Association | President | 2010 - 2010 |
| Chatham County Chamber of Commerce | Board of Directors | 2009 - 2012 |
| Orange County Habit for Humanity | Director | 2008 - 2011 |
| North Carolina Bar Association, Medico-Legal Liaison Committee | Member | 2008 - 2014 |
| North Carolina Bar Association, Endowment Committee | Member | 1998 - 2008 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthcounsel Quarterly | Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts | 2016 |
| Estate Planning magazine | IRA Tax Deferral: Trusts, Rollovers, and Distributions | 2014 |
| The Will and the Way (NCBA) | Estate and Gift Tax Planning for Non-Citizen Spouses | 2012 |
| Core Compass | Tax Consequences of Equitable Distribution | 2010 |
| North Carolina Bar Association publication | IRAs and Creditor Protection in North Carolina | 2010 |
| North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law Section - Gray Matters | North Carolina Repeals Rule Against Perpetuities | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Lawyers Weekly | Every Client Needs an Estate Plan - 10 Reasons Why | 2002 |
| North Carolina Lawyers Weekly | New FTC Rules Apply to Estate Planning and Tax Attorneys | 2001 |
| North Carolina Lawyers Weekly | 529 College Savings Plans Offer Estate Planning Advantages | 2001 |
| Taxation For Accountants | Charitable Remainder Trusts | 1998 |
| Taxation for Lawyers | Charitable Remainder Trusts | 1998 |
| North Carolina Estate Planning Blog | Estate Planning, Probate and Tax postings | N/A |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of Miami School of Law mi School of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | 1993 |
| Tulane University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1988 |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1984 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Fiduciary Income Tax Workshop | Federal Fiduciary Income Tax | 2019 |
| Word on the Street Webinar | Estate Tax Planning for Non-Citizen Spouses with QDOTs | 2018 |
| Lawyers, Guns, and Money | Title I and Title II Firearms | 2018 |
| Lawyers, Guns, and Money | Liability Concerns for Gun Owners and Gun Dealers | 2018 |
| Fiduciary Income Tax Workshop | Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates | 2017 |
| 21st Annual Elder and Special Needs Law Sympoisum | Gun Trusts in Elder and Special Needs Law | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Meeting | Planning for Firearms | 2016 |
| August Meeting | Federal and NC Gun Law | 2016 |
| Annual Meeting | In Guns We Trust | 2016 |
| Thought Leader Webinar | Fiduciary Income Tax Considerations in Drafting Trust | 2015 |
| Annual Meeting | In Guns We Trust | 2015 |
| Webinar | IRA Beneficiary Trusts | 2014 |
| Virginia Forum | IRA Trusts: Now More Than Ever | 2014 |
| South Carolina Forum | Estate Tax Planning after DOMA | 2014 |
| South Carolina Forum | Estate Planning after ATRA | 2014 |
| North Carolina Forum | IRA Trusts: Now More Than Ever | 2014 |
| Financial and Legal Strategies and Planning, and Assistance Paying for Long Term Care | North Carolina Elder Law: Covering Care Expenses | 2014 |
| Fiduciary Income Tax Seminar | Fiduciary Income Tax | 2014 |
| Division of Geriatric Medicine | Incompetency and Guardianship in North Carolina | 2014 |
| Attorney/Trust Officer Liaison Conference | Federal Gun Law and Gun Trusts | 2014 |
| 20th Annual Black Hills Motor Classic CLE Seminar | Federal Gun Law and Gun Trusts | 2014 |
| South Carolina Forum | IRA Trusts and Asset Protection | 2013 |
| Proper Post-Death Administration of an IRA Beneficiary Trust | IRA Beneficiary Trust Administration (Repeat) | 2013 |
| Proper Post-Death Administration of an IRA Beneficiary Trust | IRA Beneficiary Trust Administration | 2013 |
| NTSAA 403(b) Summit (Chicago) | Estate Planning, Beneficiary Designations and Asset Protection | 2013 |
| National Webinar | Using IRA Trusts to Preserve Assets and Minimize Taxes | 2013 |
| National Webinar | Estate Planning with Education Trusts and 529 Plans | 2013 |
| National Webinar | Estate Planning with Education Trusts and 529 Plans | 2013 |
| National Teleconference | IRA Trusts, Rollovers and Distributions | 2013 |
| Interdisciplinary Webinar | Using Trust to Asset Protect Inherited IRAs | 2013 |
| How to Draft IRA Trusts | IRA Trusts | 2013 |
| Equitable Distribution Workshop | Tax Aspects of Equitable Distribution | 2013 |
| Education Trusts and 529 Plans: Estate Planning Strategies for College Savings | Education Trusts & 529 Plans | 2013 |
| To the Health of Your Wealth -OLLI | Estate Planning | 2012 |
| Professional Day - Greensboro NC Chapter | Asset Protection Planning | 2012 |
| North Carolina Forum | The Use of Trust Protectors in North Carolina | 2012 |
| National Webinar | IRA Trusts in Estate Planning for Tax Savings and Asset Protection | 2012 |
| National Teleconference Continuing Legal Education | Incorporating Education Trusts and 529 Plans in Estate Plans | 2012 |
| National Teleconference | How to Draft IRA Trusts | 2012 |
| National Teleconference | How to Draft IRA Trusts | 2012 |
| Estate Planning and Probate Practice for Paralegals | Assisting with Guardianships | 2012 |
| 5th Annual Review Course | Wills and Probate | 2012 |
| 2 Part (120 minute) Online Course | IRA Trusts | 2012 |
| Orange County Bar Association | Estate Planning | 2011 |
| OLLI Retirement Course | Estate Planning | 2011 |
| Health Care Reform Symposium | Tax Implications of Health Care Reform | 2011 |
| Financial Planning Association | Asset Protection Planning | 2011 |
| Ohio Forum Meeting | Basic Trust Administration | 2010 |
| Mid-Atlantic Million Dollar Round Table | Special Needs Trusts | 2010 |
| Fearrington Cares | Legal and Contractual Aspects of Continuing Care Retirement Communities | 2010 |
| North Carolina Foot & Ankle Society Summer Meeting | Medico-Legal Guidelines | 2009 |
| Equitable Distribution Workshop | Tax Consequences of Equitable Distribution | 2009 |
| Elder Law - End of Life Decisions | Advance Directives | 2009 |
| A Day in the Life of an Estate Paralegal | Trusts - Implementation and Administration | 2009 |
| Personal Finance Course | Estate Planning | 2008 |
| Certified Financial Planner Course | Estate Planning and Probate | 2008 |
| Certified Financial Planner Course | Estate and Gfit Tax | 2007 |
| LGBT Legal Issues in North Carolina | Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples | 2004 |
| Program on Aging | Incompetency and Guardianship Procedures | 2001 |
| Guardianship for Paralegals | Guardianship | N/A |
Peace of mind
Posted by Tracy
Fri Apr 26 2019
Excellent Attorney
Posted by Jim S.
Wed Apr 17 2019
Excellent and thorough
Posted by James
Thu Mar 01 2018
Excellent advice
Posted by Linda
Sun Jun 12 2016
Client Review
Posted by anonymous
Thu Oct 02 2008
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Attorney endorsements
(9)David Feakes, Trusts Attorney on Jun 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I know Greg to be a smart, thorough, and conscientious professional. I have and will continue to recommend Greg to friends and family.
Charles Griffin, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 16, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Gregory Herman-Giddens is one of the top-notch estate planning practitioners in our state. He and I have worked together on an estate planning matter and I found him to be very experienced, professional, and easy to work with. I highly endorse and recommend him
Bradford Weston, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 6, 2015
Relationship: Friend
I endorse this lawyer. Greg is the "go to guy" if you need trust work or estate planning. He is very trustworthy, smart, knows the law and is easy and fun to work with. If you are his client then you are in good hands. If I need advice in connection with his field for my own criminal practice in California then I go to Greg.
Sergio Cabanas, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 3, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Gregory is a very knowledgeable and professional attorney.
Mina Sirkin, Trusts Attorney on Jun 24, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Greg is a true professional in the Trust & Estate areas. I have worked with him on a matter and can always count on his advice when to comes to matters in North Carolina.
Christian Lassen, Life insurance Attorney on Sep 13, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
Wesley Hill, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 26, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney Herman-Giddens always offered sound advice as a member of the Avvo Community. I would and plan to recommend his services to friends and family.
David Goldman, Elder law Attorney on Nov 5, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Gregory is always helpful with it comes to explaining legal and tax issues as they may concern clients and other lawyers. I have seen him go out of his way to help others beyond what is required. He provides excellent trusts and is licensed in several states. We have worked on several NFA trust issues in NC and he has dealt with them timely and professionally.
Jeffrey Matsen, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 13, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Herman-Giddens is an extremely competent and knowledgeable estate planning attorney. He has excellent client follow through skills and tremendous experience. I highly recommend him.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$95-$525/hour
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