ASHEVILLE, NC—Attorney Christopher M. Craig of Craig Associates, PC was recently featured in an Asheville Citizen Times article, which discussed estate planning for new families—a critically important, yet often overlooked, aspect of a growing family.
In the article, titled “Back to basics: Legal basics for parents,” the Asheville estate planning attorney acknowledged that estate planning may not be top of mind for new parents, but emphasized the importance of preparing for life’s “what if” moments before they become real-life emergencies.
“If you are young parents, you should be concerned with two things regarding yourselves: your own disability and your death,” said Chris Craig, estate planning lawyer at Craig Associates, PC. “So whatever estate planning gets created should be addressing both of those things in a way that’s substantive.”
As the founder of Craig Associates, PC, which serves families and individuals throughout the state of North Carolina, Craig brings decades of experience helping families craft customized estate plans that account for the unique needs of new and growing families. In the article, published March 21, 2025, he speaks candidly about how most people—especially younger adults—tend to avoid estate planning simply because it’s uncomfortable to think about: “It is likely that while they need estate planning, they don’t want estate planning,” Craig told Citizen Times.
Craig explained that any estate plan for parents should account for both short- and long-term contingencies, especially when minor children are involved. For instance, he asked, “Does the babysitter know who to call so that DSS is never going to be involved?,” highlighting the potential consequences of not having a plan in place.
According to Craig, North Carolina has a solid legal framework that allows parents to name immediate emergency contacts as well as long-term guardians for their children. However, these designations need to be made in legally binding documents, and those named need to be informed and prepared.
“That’s really a godparent relationship in true form,” Craig said, “because they need to feel responsible, even though they aren’t responsible. It’s a relationship building tool, and it’s also something that’s likely to change.”
Rather than treating estate planning as a one-time event, Craig encourages families to think of it as an ongoing conversation. As children grow and relationships evolve, guardianship designations and estate plans should be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.
Craig also reminds families that estate planning isn’t just about preparing for the worst—it’s also about gaining peace of mind. “There’s a whole lot of terror that can be eliminated by having good guidance, careful guidance, with the awesome tools that are available to us,” he said.
Craig Associates, PC aims to offer that careful guidance to its clients. The firm focuses on empowering families with knowledge and actionable steps by offering services that span from basic wills and guardianship documentation to complex trust structures and special needs planning. Their approach is centered on accessibility, clarity, and relationship-based planning.
Craig emphasizes his commitment to serving the unique needs of families in Western North Carolina and beyond. “We’re not just preparing documents,” he said. “We’re helping families prepare for life and giving them the tools they need to feel confident in an uncertain world.”
Craig Associates, PC is located at 149 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. The firm offers free estate planning seminars that are open to the public and designed to introduce the foundational concepts of estate planning in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment. Upcoming seminar dates and registration details can be found on their website.
For more information about estate planning for families, or to schedule a consultation, visit https://www.chriscraiglaw.com/ or call (828) 258-2888.
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