B.J. Kilgore

B.J. Kilgore is a principal with The Van Winkle Law Firm. He focuses his practice on probate law, trust & estate planning, trust & estate administration, and trust reformations and terminations. B.J. works with clients to determine their goals and develops a customized plan to meet their individual needs. Sometimes, this involves the creation of Powers of Attorneys or Health Care documents. 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 to maintain, preserve, protect, and transfer wealth from one generation to another. Regardless of the level of complexity, B.J. takes pride in ensuring that his work is straightforward and understandable to his clients.

Prior to joining The Van Winkle Law Firm, B.J. practiced in Raleigh, North Carolina for approximately four years. During law school, B.J. served as an Articles Editor for the Campbell Law Review. In addition, B.J. has worked at the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Department of Justice, and for several prominent firms in the Raleigh area. B.J. is active in the Asheville community and presently serves on the Pisgah Legal Services Young Professionals Board, Professional Advisory Committee to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and the Executive Committee of Highlands Circle (United Way). B.J. is also a frequent speaker on numerous matters related to estate planning, estate and trust administration, legal ethics, and other related topics.

Publications

• Basics of Estate Planning – North Carolina Bar Association 2018 Basics 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

Presentations

• Basics of Estate Planning – North Carolina Bar Association 2018 Basics of Will and Revocable Trust Drafting (2/9/18)

• North Carolina Probate Law “Part I” – North Carolina Bar Association 2017 Estate Planning and Probate Law Survey Course (9/27/18)

Awards and Honors

• Campbell University Law Review, Articles Editor

• 2014 Clients Choice Award

• 2015 10 Best Client Satisfaction Award

Professional Affiliations

• North Carolina Bar Association

- Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section

- Young Lawyers Division

- Appellate Division

- Wills for Heroes Committee (previously)

- Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section CLE Committee

• North Carolina State Bar

• 28th Judicial District Bar

• Tennessee State Bar

• Land of Sky Estate Planning Council

• Pisgah Legal Services Young Professionals Board

• United Way Highlands Circle Executive Committee Member

• 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