Debbie heads the firm’s Estate Administration Section and has more than 25 years of experience. Debbie often represents key executives and assists high net worth families and individuals in developing and implementing gift and estate tax planning and the administration of substantial and complex estates and trusts. Additionally, Debbie has a broad range of experience with closely-held companies, including mergers and acquisitions, private debt placements and corporate financings, and negotiating contracts.
Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen has been practicing with Manning Fulton since 1988. Debbie heads the firm’s Estate Administration Section and with more than 25 years of experience, she is known throughout the state of North Carolina for her expertise in the areas of estate planning and administration. Debbie often represents key executives and assists high net worth families and individuals in developing and implementing gift and estate tax planning and the administration of substantial and complex estates and trusts. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Debbie’s broad range of experience with closely-held businesses makes her an important part of the company’s outside management team, advising business owners on day-to-day operations, drafting and negotiating contracts, acquiring and disposing of businesses, and advising on financial matters and transactions. Her industry experience includes automotive, manufacturing/sales, and warehouse/distribution.
She is a CPA and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Debbie has been consistently recognized in many State and Nationally respected publications. She has been named in The Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2021) and was selected as 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trust and Estates in Raleigh. Additionally, she was selected for inclusion among North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006-2017 / NC’s Top 100 Lawyers 2009, 2010 / Top 50 Female Lawyers 2006-2014). She has also been recognized in Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite in the areas of Tax and Estate Planning (2005, 2017) and Corporate Law (2006). She is the recipient of a Women in Business Award (2005) presented by the Triangle Business Journal and a Women Extraordinaire Award (2005) presented by Business Leader Magazine