Adam L. Shealy

Adam is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate law, and a Certified Public Accountant in both North Carolina and South Carolina. His experience as a CPA in private practice and then as a lawyer gives Adam a practical perspective that compliments his strong technical expertise. His practice includes advising his clients regarding estate planning, trust and estate administration, and business and tax planning for the formation, acquisition, sale, transfer and succession of closely-held businesses.

Practice Highlights

Adam has designed and implemented individually tailored estate plans for numerous clients with large sophisticated estates and difficult family issues. These creative plans have allowed his clients to protect their hard earned wealth and to transfer that wealth to future generations with significantly reduced taxes and administrative expenses, while still achieving the clients’ primary goals regarding the appropriate distribution of their assets.

He has helped many surviving spouses and children expediently navigate through the intricate process of administering the estate or trust of a deceased loved one, including the identification of various areas where there are opportunities for tax savings.

In addition, Adam has successfully guided many clients through the legal, tax and business complexities of creating, growing, purchasing and selling a family business, and has devised and executed effective business succession plans to allow his clients to preserve and transfer their businesses to the next generation with a minimum of taxes and administrative expenses.

Adam is a frequent lecturer at North Carolina Bar Association and other continuing legal education programs.

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section
  • Council Member, 2001-2003

Recognitions

• Certified Public Accountant (NC and SC)
• Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law
• North Carolina Super Lawyers
• 2010 Best Lawyers in America

Born in Stuttgart, Germany (his father was a career officer in the U.S. Army), Adam now lives in Hendersonville with his wife, Devon, and their children. Adam is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Georgia Law Review from 1994 to 1995, and as Notes editor from 1995 to 1996. In his free time, Adam enjoys travel, mountain biking and hiking with his family.

Favorite Author: Bill Bryson

Last Place Visited: U.S. Virgin Islands

Favorite Band: R.E.M.

Community Involvement

• Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Chairman, 2007 – 2008
  • Vice Chairman, 2006 – 2007
  • Board Member, 2005 – present
• Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
  • Chairman, 2008 – 2009
  • Treasurer, 2005 – 2006
  • Board Member, 2004 – present
• Henderson County Young Leaders Program
  • Chair-Elect
  • Board Member, 2007 – present
• Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra
  • Board member, 2002 – 2004
• Pardee Hospital Foundation
  • President, 2005
  • Board Member, 1999 – 2006

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC
  • Board Member, 2001 – 2003