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Gary B. Ernst, Jr.
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Gary offers legal services focused on estate planning, trust administration, probate and corporate law.
He specializes in providing clear and compassionate guidance to clients, ensuring they understand the planning and legal processes involved and can make informed decisions during sensitive times.
About
Gary Ernst is a seasoned attorney specializing in estate planning, trusts, probate administration, and business succession, dedicated to providing clear, compassionate guidance during life’s most challenging transitions. Recognizing the emotional complexities inherent in these matters, Gary prioritizes client understanding by explaining legal processes and ensuring informed decision-making.
With a proven track record spanning hundreds of cases, Gary has successfully navigated diverse estate scenarios, from modest asset holdings to complex, multi-million-dollar portfolios. His clientele includes a broad spectrum of individuals and entities, including business owners, surviving family members, and corporate fiduciaries, reflecting his ability to tailor sophisticated legal strategies to unique circumstances.
Leveraging a comprehensive legal background that extends beyond estate planning, Gary brings valuable insight from his experience in commercial litigation, corporate governance, and real estate. This multidisciplinary perspective is particularly advantageous when structuring estate plans for clients with intricate business interests or unique asset configurations. A lifelong animal lover, Gary is a leading attorney in the field of animal law, including the drafting and administration of both simple and complex pet trusts. Prior to joining Manning Fulton, Gary worked at Trusts and Estates Law Group of North Carolina (formerly Brady Cobin Law Group), a boutique estate planning firm.
A proud “double Tar Heel,” Gary earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His commitment to service is exemplified by his contribution to an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, advocating for the rights of “Blue Water” Navy Vietnam Veterans affected by Agent Orange exposure. He has also offered pro bono assistance on high-profile animal welfare cases at both the state and national levels.
Beyond his legal practice, Gary is an avid reader of classic literature and enjoys exploring the natural beauty of local trails and greenways.
Credentials
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Juris Doctorate (J.D.) – 2007
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – B.A. in History/Archaeology – 2004
Admitted to Practice
- North Carolina, 2008
- Western District of North Carolina, 2017
Professional Memberships & Activities
- American Bar Association – Member
- North Carolina Bar Association– Member
- Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section
- Wake County Estate Planning Council – Member
- Presented on estate planning at National Business Institute legal conferences
- Presented estate planning seminars for financial institutions Raymond James and Corval Strategic Wealth Management
Community Engagement
Western North Carolina Nature Center (Asheville, NC)
- Previously served on Board of Directors
Discovery Place Nature (Charlotte, NC)
- Previously a volunteer animal curator