Douglas D. Noreen

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Douglas D. Noreen

I am a litigator focused on two areas of practice:  estate, trust and guardianship litigation and eminent domain matters.  My ability and desire to work towards win/win solutions for my clients has enabled me to reach successful outcomes in both areas.

Estate, Trust and Guardianship Litigation

In my estate, trust, and guardianship cases, I have extensive experience involving disputes that may arise both while relatives are making estate choices, and after loved ones have passed away. The understanding that estate matters are often highly personal and emotional for clients is never far from my mind. It is my goal to remain sensitive to these issues while being an aggressive advocate for those I represent.

I handle a variety of matters including will contests, IRA beneficiary designation changes, pension plan, beneficiary changes, gifts made during life, and deeds to property.

Estate, Trust and Guardianship Litigation Experience: 

Recovered over $100,000 in funds from an IRA for a surviving spouse when a beneficiary designation was changed at the end of her husband’s life.

Recovered real estate property for a client after he executed a deed to a third party while he was suffering from memory issues.

Successfully defended a client (who was her father’s caretaker) in a case initiated by her siblings after she inherited the bulk of her father’s estate following his death.

Successfully petitioned for a client to be appointed guardian of his elderly mother after discovering his sibling was removing funds from the mother’s accounts.

Successfully defended against an attack on a will written by an elderly person which favored a long-time close friend/caregiver over an estranged child.

Eminent Domain

In my eminent domain and condemnation practice, I have extensive experience involving property takings, road widenings and other eminent domain projects that can affect a commercial structure, site access, traffic flow, parking and ultimately business success. My goal is to remain sensitive to client needs throughout the duration of the project while being an aggressive advocate for those I represent.

Eminent Domain Experience: 

I handle all types of eminent domain projects, which often involve multiple and varied issues. I have been able to successfully advocate for redesign of projects, including in one situation keeping an access point open which the state Department of Transportation was going to close, which in turn allowed the store to remain open. I have handled personal property and sign relocation issues. And most importantly, I am a strong advocate in obtaining maximum compensation for my clients, considering all damage to the site.

Speaking and Publications

I recently presented a continuing education program to other North Carolina attorneys entitled “Probate Disputes and Litigation.”  In addition, I authored the materials for a lecture given at the North Carolina Bar Association’s Annual Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Program in 2013 entitled “How to Navigate a Fiduciary Litigation Case.” I have also written several articles including “Fighting Wal-Mart: The Future of Combined Reporting in North Carolina” which was published in State Tax Notes, a publication of Tax Analysts; and I co-authored “State HHS v. Thompkins: No Time Limit on Medicaid Claims?” which was published in The Will and the Way.

Education and Memberships

I am a native of Apex, North Carolina and received my B.A. in 2007 from Davidson College where I was recognized with the Thomas D. Sparrow award for intercollegiate athletic and campus leadership. In 2010, I received my J.D. from the George Washington University.  I am active in promoting charitable activities in the community and serve on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Chapter of the ALS Association and as President of the Board for the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum in downtown Raleigh.

Testimonials

“We are very grateful to Douglas Noreen for his wonderful handling of the… case. We are pleased with the outcome, thanks to his efforts… Douglas kept me informed every step of the way and took into account all of my input. I have worked with dozens of attorneys in my long career, many of whom were also clients of mine. I consider Douglas a stand-out among them. Moreover, his compassion for two special-needs boys was in evidence throughout. – Vincent”

“We’re sending you our heartfelt thanks for a job well done – thanks for hanging in there for us and getting my Mom out of a horrible situation. Because of your knowledge and hard work, my Mom was able to have… happiness and peace…” – Bruce and Elizabeth