B.J. Kilgore is a principal with The Van Winkle Law Firm where he serves as the chair of Van Winkle’s Trusts & Estates practice group. BJ focuses his practice on probate law, trust & estate planning, trust & estate administration, business succession planning, charitable planning, and trust reformations and terminations. Regardless of the level of complexity, B.J. takes pride in ensuring that his work is straightforward and understandable to his clients. B.J. works with clients to determine their goals and develops a customized plan to meet their individual needs. This often involves working with clients who own businesses, have minor children, have blended families, or have another unique set of circumstances. In addition, B.J. has significant experience working with clients and their other advisors to use tax efficient strategies designed at maintaining, preserving, protecting, and transferring wealth from one generation to another. Sometimes this involves the creation and implementation of charitable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and other sophisticated estate planning techniques.

B.J. has been recognized as a North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” B.J. is the current president of the Land of the Sky Estate Planning Council. B.J. is a member of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, where he is previously served as co-chair of the Continuing Education Committee. As a frequent speaker on numerous matters related to estate planning, estate and trust administration, business succession planning, legal ethics, and other related topics, B.J. is very active among North Carolina’s estate planning community.

B.J. is also active in the local community, where he is a member of the Asheville Humane Society Board of Directors, the board of the Asheville Museum of History, the Professional Advisory Committee to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts Legacy Committee, and the Lawyers Mutual Western Carolina Community Board. B.J. is a graduate of Leadership Asheville 37.

Practice Areas

Awards & Honors

  • Buncombe County bar 2022 Distinguished Young Lawyer
  • 2020 – 2024 Super Lawyers “Rising Star”
  • The Best Lawyers In America 2024 – 2025

Presentations

  • Co-Planner, 42nd  Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program, North Carolina Bar Association (7/22/2021)
  • Co-Planner, 41st Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program, North Carolina Bar Association (7/23/2020)
  • Business Succession Planning – MSPCA Annual Meeting (10/3/19)
  • North Carolina Probate Law – North Carolina Bar Association 2019 Estate Planning and Probate Law Survey Course (9/26/19)
  • Basics of Estate Planning – North Carolina Bar Association 2018 & 2020 Basis of Will and Revocable Trust Drafting (2/9/18)
  • North Carolina Probate Law I – North Carolina Bar Association 2017 Estate Planning and Probate Law Survey Course (9/27/17)

Publications

  • Basics of Estate Planning – North Carolina Bar Association 2018 & 2020 Basis of Will and Revocable Trust Drafting
  • North Carolina Probate Law “Part I” – North Carolina Bar Association 2017 Estate Planning and Probate Law Survey Course
  • Co-Author – Sale of Property and Distributions – NBI Probate Process from Start to Finish
  • North Carolina Probate Law – North Carolina Bar Association 2019 Estate Planning and Probate Law Survey Course

Education

  • Campbell University – Juris Doctor, 2012
  • Appalachian State University – B.A. (Business Management), 2007

Professional Affiliations

  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section
    • Young Lawyers Division
    • Appellate Division
    • Wills for Heroes Committee (former)
    • Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section CLE Committee
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Buncombe County Bar
  • Tennessee State Bar
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section CLE Committee Co-Chair (former)
  • Former President of Land of Sky Estate Planning Council
  • Pisgah Legal Services Young Professionals Board (former)
  • United Way Highlands Circle Executive Committee Member (former)
  • Pro Bono Volunteer at Mountain Area Volunteer Lawyers
  • Pro Bono Volunteer at Care Partners Hospice
  • Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Professional Advisory Committee
  • Leadership Asheville Class 37
  • Former Board of Directors, Read 2 Succeed Asheville/Buncombe
  • Board of Directors for Asheville Humane Society
  • Wortham Center for the Performing Arts Legacy Committee
  • Board of Directors Asheville Museum of History
  • Lawyers Mutual Western Carolina Community Board

B.J. is a native of Western North Carolina, having grown up in Linville, North Carolina (near Banner Elk/Boone). After eight years in Raleigh, he is excited to be back in the mountains. When he is not working, B.J. enjoys spending time with his wife Jackie, and their children Hollis and Sam. In his free time, B.J. enjoys playing sports (particularly basketball, soccer and tennis), exploring the numerous outdoor activities Asheville has to offer, traveling, and learning about history. B.J. is an avid sports fan and particularly follows college football and college basketball.

  • Favorite foods – NC Barbeque (Lexington style) & Seafood
  • Favorite Places to Visit – Boca Grande, Florida, Kiawah Island, Germany, Italy
  • Favorite Music – Widespread Panic, Tyler Childers, Avett Brothers
  • Guilty Pleasure – College Football on Saturdays in the fall