MEET
GARY ERNST

Gary Ernst has been practicing law in North Carolina since 2008. He focuses in the areas of estate planning, estate administration (probate), and trust administration. In addition, he has significant experience in the practice of corporate law, real estate, civil litigation, and animal law.

Trust and estate matters often coincide with tragic life events, such as the death of a loved one or the onset of a terminal illness. During these times, clients can easily feel overwhelmed by the complex legal rights and responsibilities arising from such events. As an attorney well-versed in these issues, Gary believes his most important role is to explain the law in “plain English” so that complicated issues can be easily understood.

Gary has advised on hundreds of trust and estate matters ranging from fairly modest asset situations to those involving eight-figure wealth. He has represented clients from all walks of life, including widowed spouses, surviving children, single individuals and couples of all ages, small business owners, franchisors, entrepreneurs, and well-known corporate entities.

Prior to focusing on trust and estate law, Gary practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, corporate governance, commercial and residential real estate, and animal welfare. Additionally, he collaborated on an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of “Blue Water” Navy Vietnam Veterans.

Gary grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a double Tar Heel, having received his Juris Doctor from that same university.

When not working for the benefit of his clients, Gary enjoys reading classic novels, exploring local trails and greenways, and spending time with his wife, their young son, and their small menagerie of pets.