My Story

Susan M. Healy

Attorney
Probate / Estate Administration, Incompetency / Adult Guardianships

Susan Healy was born and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Penn State as well as a Master of Arts in English from North Carolina State University. She earned her JD from Thomas Cooley Law School.   Susan is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the State Bar of Michigan.

Susan has extensive trial experience, having worked as an assistant public defender, a family law advocate, and an assistant probate judge, called a “judicial hearing officer” in North Carolina.

North Carolina does not have a probate court per se; instead, the Clerk of Superior Court appoints certain attorneys to be assistant clerks/judicial hearing officers. Judicial hearing officers function as de facto probate judges who preside over incompetency/guardianship cases, foreclosure matters; and a host of other estate and special proceedings matters.

Experience Matters

Susan fully understands the law and procedures governing incompetency and estate matters.  She has represented parties as an advocate as well as having presided as an assistant probate judge.

Philosophy

Susan understands that navigating legal matters can be confusing, overwhelming, and emotional, especially when a loved one is incapacitated or has passed away. In addition to legal skills, compassion and empathy are important.  She believes in explaining the legal process in understandable terms, and she keeps her clients informed at each stage of the process.  Susan works diligently for her clients and strives to achieve the best possible outcome.

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

Areas of Practice

Incompetency/ Adult Guardianships

Probate/ Estate Administration

(administration of decedents’ estates)

Wills, Living Wills, Healthcare Powers of Attorney

Financial Powers of Attorney

(Durable Power of Attorney)

Professional Associations & Volunteer Associations

North Carolina State Bar

State Bar of Michigan

North Carolina Bar Association

Mecklenburg County Bar

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Collie Rescue of the Carolinas