Lauren S. Martin

The primary goal of my practice is to support my clients while also helping them navigate the often overwhelming and contentious world of fiduciary litigation. Unfortunately, I typically meet my clients immediately following the loss of a family member or in the midst of an escalating dispute. Whether my client is concerned about the validity of a will or is worried that a loved one has been subjected to power-of-attorney abuse, I take the time to listen and understand each client’s specific goals and priorities, taking into consideration all factors and attendant circumstances in order to determine the best course of action for that particular client. A client’s definition of success may range from the restoration of family harmony to obtaining a significant monetary recovery, and it is important for me to adjust my approach accordingly. Once I understand my client’s individual goals, I zealously pursue and advocate for them. At the end of the day, I hope to serve as an advisor and trusted confidant for my clients during difficult situations and to cheer them on in times of triumph, not only as their attorney, but also as a member of their team.

Lauren Martin practices primarily in the areas of fiduciary litigation, estate planning, and estate administration. Having previously served as a law clerk to judges on both of North Carolina’s appellate courts, Lauren brings a unique perspective and experienced-based insight to her litigation practice. She routinely represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in actions aimed at preserving the testator’s or grantor’s true wishes. Whether assisting her clients with a will contest, negotiating the resolution of an estate-related dispute, or advocating for a surviving spouse’s right to an elective share, Lauren never loses sight of the fact that her clients are frequently mourning the loss of a loved one or losing sleep over the matter with which she is assisting them. Therefore, while she brings technical skill to her practice, she also approaches each of her clients with compassion and strives to mitigate the burden associated with litigation as much as possible. In addition to her fiduciary litigation practice, Lauren helps her clients implement estate plans that achieve the client’s personal objectives. Specifically, her practice includes the negotiation of premarital agreements and the preparation of wills, trust agreements, powers of attorney, and healthcare documents to help her clients plan for the future. She also assists her clients with the proper administration of trusts and estates and, when the situation calls for it, she is equipped to facilitate the judicial or nonjudicial modification of irrevocable trusts to address the changing needs of the trust’s grantor and beneficiaries.