Atty. Heather Whitaker Goldstein

Atty. Heather Whitaker Goldstein

As a principal at The Van Winkle Law Firm, Heather Whitaker Goldstein focuses on incapacity planning, client advocacy and litigation in a wide variety of situations where an elderly person is vulnerable to exploitation. She assists clients with drafting powers of attorney, incompetency and guardianship proceedings, will contests, trust modifications, estate-related litigation, and claims by and against individuals who are serving as executor, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney.

Asheville Asheville 29 yrs experience 29 year
Call (828) 552-5924 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Heather Whitaker Goldstein at a glance

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is a Principal based in Asheville, North Carolina, practicing at The Van Winkle Law Firm. They have 29+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1997. Their practice focuses on wills, trusts, estate planning, poa, and estate litigation. Admitted to practice in Virginia (1997), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (1998), North Carolina (1999), and District of Columbia (1999). Educated at The George Washington University (J.D., 1997) and Duke University (A.B. English, 1993). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Serands clients in Asheville, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • As a principal at The Van Winkle Law Firm, Heather Whitaker Goldstein focuses on incapacity planning, client advocacy and litigation in a wide variety of situations where an elderly person is vulnerable to exploitation
  • She assists clients with drafting powers of attorney, incompetency and guardianship proceedings, will contests, trust modifications, estate-related litigation, and claims by and against individuals who are serving as executor, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney
  • She also assists clients with creating estate plans and planning for long-term care public benefits, and she advises executors, trustees, and guardians on the administration of estates
  • From 2003 - 2012 Heather served as the Executive Director of the Asheville Jewish Community Center, where she worked closely with staff and volunteers to create and strengthen programs and services to support community members during all phases of life
  • Heather was part of the team that worked to establish Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina, a now-independent nonprofit organization providing elder respite care, mental health counseling, and social work case management
  • Before joining our firm, Heather completed a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Welton Curtis Sewell, U.S
  • Magistrate Judge for the U.S
  • District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia
  • She is admitted to practice in the U.S
  • District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of North Carolina, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S
  • Courts of Appeals for the Third and Fourth Districts, as well as all North Carolina state courts
  • In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her four boys’ soccer games, and early morning CrossFit training
  • Awards & Honors • TWIN Award nominee, YWCA of Asheville, Tribute to Women of Influence • Outstanding Service Award, 28th Judicial District Bar Young Lawyer Division • William J. Griffith University Service Award, Duke University • Outstanding Service Award, Pisgah Legal Services • Younger Lawyer Pro Bono Service Award, North Carolina Bar Association • Senior Articles Editor, The George Washington Law Review • Executive Committee, The George Washington Moot Court Board Community Involvement • Asheville’s Affiliates, Former Board Member • Asheville Community Theatre, Former Board Member • Asheville Jewish Business Forum • Asheville Jewish Community Center, Capital Campaign Cabinet • Buncombe County’s Distinguished Young Woman (Junior Miss) Scholarship Program, Former Chair • Congregation Beth Israel • Duke University, Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee • Ira B. Jones Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, Former Fundraising Chair • JCC Association Executive Seminars, Former Cohort Chair • Junior League of Asheville, Sustaining Member • Maccabi Academy of Asheville, Former Advisory Board Member • Morehead-Cain Foundation, Regional Selection Committee, Former Member • Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, Former Board Member • Pisgah Legal Services, Development Council • UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education, Former Board Member • UNC Asheville Center for Jewish Studies, Former Advisory Board Member • United Way of Asheville-Buncombe, Board Member and 2017 Campaign Chair Professional Associations & Memberships • North Carolina Bar Association - Elder & Special Needs Law Section - Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section - Member of the Litigation Section • North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys • Harry C. Martin Inns of Court • Buncombe County Aging Coordinating Consortium • National Association of Elder Law Attorneys • Land of Sky Estate Planning Council

Practice Areas Explained

Heather Whitaker Goldstein's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Heather Whitaker Goldstein handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Wills

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is one of 34,541 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in North Carolina →

Trusts

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in North Carolina →

Estate Planning & Probate

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in North Carolina →

Power of Attorney

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is one of 33,188 poa attorneys indexed nationally. Browse poa attorneys in North Carolina →

Estate & Trust Litigation

Heather Whitaker Goldstein is one of 20,023 estate litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate litigation attorneys in North Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Asheville are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Asheville or all attorneys in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Heather Whitaker Goldstein

Where is Heather Whitaker Goldstein's law office located?
Heather Whitaker Goldstein's law practice is located in Asheville, North Carolina. The firm is The Van Winkle Law Firm. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Heather Whitaker Goldstein handle?
Heather Whitaker Goldstein focuses on wills, trusts, estate planning, poa, estate litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
How long has Heather Whitaker Goldstein practiced law?
Heather Whitaker Goldstein has 29+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1997.
Where did Heather Whitaker Goldstein go to law school?
Heather Whitaker Goldstein earned their education at (J.D., 1997); (A.B. English, 1993).
How can I contact Heather Whitaker Goldstein for a consultation?
You can contact Heather Whitaker Goldstein directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Heather Whitaker Goldstein received?
Heather Whitaker Goldstein's notable recognition includes: Peer Reviewed.

Education

J.D.
The George Washington University
- 1997
A.B. English
Duke University
- 1993

Awards

Peer Reviewed

Bar Admissions

Virginia
Admitted: 1997
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Admitted: 1998
North Carolina
Admitted: 1999
District of Columbia
Admitted: 1999
U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina
Admitted: 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Admitted: 2001
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Admitted: 2003

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