Meet Michele English of Maitland Law

Michele English’s practice is focused in the areas of wills, trusts, and estates; taxation; elder law; family law; and real estate law. She is licensed and admitted to the North Carolina State Bar.  She is also admitted to practice in the United States Tax Court.  Michele is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and the Judicial District 15B Bar Association.

Michele received a Master of Laws In Taxation (LLM) degree from The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in Gainesville, FL, her J.D., cum laude, from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, FL, and a B.A. in English, cum laude, from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC.

Outside of work, Michele enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons and volunteering for community projects. She has served as an assistant coach and team mom for both little league baseball and youth soccer.  Michele also took on the role of Playground Planning Committee Member and Playground Builder for one of Disney’s Kaboom projects in Orlando, FL.  Michele currently serves as social coordinator for her neighborhood community association.

Annual Reports: An Essential but Often Overlooked Business Filing

This time of year many individuals are focused on the April 15^th deadline for the purpose of filing their individual and business income taxes.  However, for registered corporations and limited liability companies, this date is representative of the Annual Report filing deadline required by the North Carolina Secretary of State.

The Maitland Law Firm provides efficient and timely filing assistance for businesses that need help in filing annual documents with the NC Secretary of State's office.  We understand the numerous responsibilities of owning your own business present to you and we want to assist in taking some of that burden away by offering our service to with the goal for you to remain focused on the operations of your business.

There are six essential items that are required to be included within your Annual Report.  The most important step is to realize there is a statutory requirement to submit the Annual Report each year. Regarding the information contained in the document, you are required to document any changes that your business has experienced including, but not limited to: updated address, registered agent, notification of new entity members (LLC) or board members (corporation).

There are four entities not required to file annual reports which include: Professional Corporations, Professional Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships and Non-Profit Entities.

So remember, in addition to the changing of seasons and the filing of tax documents before the April 15^th deadline; the spring also represents a time when individuals must remember to file annual reports with the Secretary of State to ensure their limited liability company and/or corporations do not become subject to administrative dissolution.

For more information, call Brad Hicks at 919-265-0800. 

Congratulations to Coach Larry and Christin Fedora on the purchase of their new home in Southern Village! Four true Tar Heels in this picture! Thanks to The Robby Oakes Group - Corporate Investors Mortgage Group. for this special day. GO HEELS!

Closing Pictures!

It's been busy at the Law Firm! 

Client Reviews

See what just a few of the many satisfied clients of The Maitland Law Firm have to say about their experiences: 

"Thank you Rob so much for handling that difficult conversation with my parents with such sensitivity. Your time was greatly appreciated!" - S.S. 

"Thank you very much Mr. Maitland for seeing us today about our family estate planning, real estate, and elder law issues. I can't tell you how helpful it is to have talked this through with you, and have our options presented clearly devoid of all the emotional weight that can't help but cloud each of our own family associations with them, especially as they relate to our family beach cottage. Rob, thank you especially for the empathy and care you gave to our overall well-being and the longer-term considerations attendant on this decision -- I hadn't really acknowledged my own financial situation, but I do now and appreciate your concern, wisdom, and decency." - D.N.

Please visit our website for more client reviews

Maitland Law Firm's Latest Closings!

   Attorney Rob Maitland on one of our busiest days of the year!

 Congratulations to all of our new home buyers!

Estate Planning You Can Trust

         People often consider trusts to be asset transfer tools of the super wealthy.  However, the truth is that trusts can prove to be a smart choice for people of average income too.  

           

        The true benefit of establishing a revocable living trust is that it allows your heirs to avoid a headache-inducing process known as probate.  Probate is the court-administered procedure that is legally required in order to pass assets down to your children, grandchildren, or other designated heirs.  The process often takes over half a year and legal challenges are quite common during this period.  One can expect to receive a hefty bill too.  For example, North Carolinians may pay close to $6,000 in court costs, even before lawyers’ fees.  Probate also reduces your privacy, as it allows others to see the content of your estate.  

        If you set up a trust before passing away, you can avoid all the disadvantages mentioned above. Of course, should Congress change tax laws in the future, the trust may protect you then too.  Please call the Maitland Law Firm if you would like to learn more about the benefits of trusts.  We would love to help you and your family with your estate planning and trust-related needs.