Atty. Stephen J. Grabenstein
Steve Grabenstein is the President of the Van Winkle Law Firm where he focuses his practice on will contests, trust and estate disputes and fiduciary related claims. A talented litigator, he has handled numerous will caveat proceedings, suits involving trusts and trustees, fiduciary litigation as well as complex commercial actions and wrongful death claims.
Profile Summary
About Stephen J. Grabenstein at a glance
Stephen J. Grabenstein is an Of Counsel based in Asheville, North Carolina, practicing at The Van Winkle Law Firm. They have 44+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1982. Their practice focuses on wills, trusts, business, poa, and estate litigation. Admitted to practice in Tennessee (1982), District of Columbia (1984), U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee (1989), and North Carolina (1992). Educated at University of Tennessee (J.D., 1982) and University of Tennessee (B.A., 1979). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serands clients in Asheville, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Steve Grabenstein is the President of the Van Winkle Law Firm where he focuses his practice on will contests, trust and estate disputes and fiduciary related claims
- A talented litigator, he has handled numerous will caveat proceedings, suits involving trusts and trustees, fiduciary litigation as well as complex commercial actions and wrongful death claims
- He also represents families in guardianship proceedings
- Grabenstein is also a certified mediator and in that role has helped hundreds of individuals negotiate and settle a wide variety of cases
- In addition, Grabenstein has been trained in the collaborative law approach to resolving disputes outside of court
- Practice Highlights • Led The Van Winkle Law Firm’s successful efforts in regaining control of more than $10 million in assets for an elderly client. • Preserved an inheritance for three daughters who were told their father had no assets when he died
- Following review of banking and financial records, Steve successfully negotiated an $800,000 settlement for the daughters. • Recovered $350,000 for the beneficiaries of a trust in a case where he alleged the Trustee had made inappropriate distributions from the Trust. • Successfully turned back a challenge to a will probated in Arizona thereby preserving a substantial bequest to a non-profit in Western North Carolina. • Led efforts to resolve the distribution of an estate worth more than $2.5 million where there was considerable confusion and uncertainty regarding the provisions of a will and trust. • Has obtained favorable outcomes for several clients with claims involving management of investment accounts. • Stopped efforts to probate a copy of a lost will so that the bulk of the decedent’s estate, worth more than one million dollars, passed to his two daughters
- Awards & Honors • Best Lawyers in Trust and Estate Litigation since 2011 • Super Lawyers in Trust and Estate Litigation since 2012 Community Involvement • Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Former Board Member • Evergreen Community Charter School, Former Board Member • Haw Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Former Board Member • Literary Council, Former Board Member • Pisgah Legal Services, Former Board Member • St. John’s Episcopal Church, Former Vestry Member Professional Affiliations • 28th Judicial District Bar • Harry C. Martin American Inns of Court • North Carolina Bar Association • North Carolina State Bar • Tennessee State Bar
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen J. Grabenstein's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen J. Grabenstein handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Stephen J. Grabenstein is one of 34,541 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in North Carolina →
Stephen J. Grabenstein is one of 104,172 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in North Carolina →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Stephen J. Grabenstein is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in North Carolina →
Stephen J. Grabenstein is one of 33,188 poa attorneys indexed nationally. Browse poa attorneys in North Carolina →
Stephen J. Grabenstein 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.
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