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Lawyer Profile

Image of Michael H. Godwin

Michael H. Godwin

Schell Bray PLLC
  • Recognized Since:
    2007
  • Recognized in:
    Trusts and Estates
  • Website:
    http://www.schellbray.com
  • Location:
    Renaissance Plaza, Suite 1500
    230 North Elm Street
    Greensboro, NC 27401

Mike Godwin’s practice is concentrated in the areas of wealth and transfer tax planning, fiduciary advice, trust and estate disputes and working with owners of closely-held businesses and their families on succession planning matters.

In helping clients pass family wealth to their chosen beneficiaries in the most tax-efficient manner, Mr. Godwin's focus is to find practical solutions that are appropriate for the family in question. He strives to take into account non-tax factors such as the need for asset protection, concerns about future marital issues and family dynamics. This work often involves designing and drafting Wills and Living Trusts, as well as  implementing more sophisticated techniques such as generation-skipping trusts, grantor retained interest trusts, sales to defective grantor trusts, life insurance trusts, transferring discounted interests in business entities and working with limited liability companies, partnerships and Subchapter S corporations.

In the areas of fiduciary law, Mr. Godwin regularly advises trust beneficiaries, as well as trust companies, as to their rights and duties under trust agreements. He is experienced in trusts and estates disputes and often provides support and advice in trusts and estates litigation.

The modification and termination of trusts is another area in which Mr. Godwin has broad experience. He is often consulted on trust modification and termination questions and frequently helps clients modify or terminate trusts through court proceedings, non-judicial settlements and trust decanting.

For a number of years, Mr. Godwin has been active on the Legislative Committee of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and has been on the drafting committees for the North Carolina Uniform Trust Code and the statutes dealing with trustee compensation and the elective share.

Mr. Godwin is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court Mediator.

Mr. Godwin is married to Nancy, has two grown sons and three grandchildren. He enjoys golf and following college sports.

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  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details

Lawyer Bio

Mike Godwin’s practice is concentrated in the areas of wealth and transfer tax planning, fiduciary advice, trust and estate disputes and working with owners of closely-held businesses and their families on succession planning matters.

In helping clients pass family wealth to their chosen beneficiaries in the most tax-efficient manner, Mr. Godwin's focus is to find practical solutions that are appropriate for the family in question. He strives to take into account non-tax factors such as the need for asset protection, concerns about future marital issues and family dynamics. This work often involves designing and drafting Wills and Living Trusts, as well as  implementing more sophisticated techniques such as generation-skipping trusts, grantor retained interest trusts, sales to defective grantor trusts, life insurance trusts, transferring discounted interests in business entities and working with limited liability companies, partnerships and Subchapter S corporations.

In the areas of fiduciary law, Mr. Godwin regularly advises trust beneficiaries, as well as trust companies, as to their rights and duties under trust agreements. He is experienced in trusts and estates disputes and often provides support and advice in trusts and estates litigation.

The modification and termination of trusts is another area in which Mr. Godwin has broad experience. He is often consulted on trust modification and termination questions and frequently helps clients modify or terminate trusts through court proceedings, non-judicial settlements and trust decanting.

For a number of years, Mr. Godwin has been active on the Legislative Committee of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and has been on the drafting committees for the North Carolina Uniform Trust Code and the statutes dealing with trustee compensation and the elective share.

Mr. Godwin is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court Mediator.

Mr. Godwin is married to Nancy, has two grown sons and three grandchildren. He enjoys golf and following college sports.

Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Additional Information
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge
  • Lawyer of the Year Badge

Education:

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , J.D., graduated 1974
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, A.B., graduated 1971

Affiliations:

  • Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro - Development Committee
  • Greensboro Rotary Club -
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section - Past Chair; Legislative Committee, Past Chair
  • North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization - Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law
  • UNCG Spartan club - Executive Committee Member

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for:

  • Trusts and Estates, Triad (2020)
  • Trusts and Estates, Greensboro (2012)
 

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Trusts and Estates

Special Focus:

  • Corporate
  • Estate Planning
  • Fiduciary Duties
  • Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
  • Planning for Closely Held Businesses
  • Succession Planning
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Schell Bray PLLC View Firm Profile
Schell Bray PLLC
http://www.schellbray.com
 
Headquarters
Renaissance Plaza, Suite 1500
230 North Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 370.8800
3 Office Locations
in 1 Country

United States

United States

North Carolina

North Carolina

Winston-Salem, NC

500 West Fifth Street, Suite 800

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

United States

(336) 749.0490

Get Directions

Chapel Hill, NC

100 Europa Drive, Suite 271

Chapel Hill, NC 27517

United States

(919) 929.0990

Get Directions

 
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