John G. Kelso

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John G. Kelso: Attorney with The Van Winkle Law Firm
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
  • Champion Badge Reviewed
About Attorney Awards

Biography

John Kelso is a principal with The Van Winkle Law Firm, practicing in the areas of estate and trust planning and administration. Kelso is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and has earned board certification as a specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law from the North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization. He has over 15 years of experience helping clients develop wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, often involving complex matters that require charitable trusts, insurance trusts, business succession plans and structured gifts. His clients’ estate planning arrangements may also involve coordination with other members of the firm to develop creative business succession, real estate, and charitable giving plans. Kelso’s work also reflects his understanding that tax savings and sophisticated techniques are usually the means to an end, not an end in themselves. His objective is to help create estate plans that meets the clients’ own goals, so careful listening, counsel, and attention to detail are as important as the technical aspects of planning.

Awards and Honors

• AV Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• Best Lawyers in America - 2011-2018

• North Carolina Super Lawyers - 2013-2018

Community Involvement

• Colburn Earth Science Museum (Former President)

• Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (Former Board Member)

• Pack Place Arts, Education and Science Center (Former Board Member)

• UNC-Asheville Foundation (Former Board Member)

Presentations

• Co-Speaker, 34th Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program, NC Bar Association Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section, July 18, 2013

• Co-Speaker, 33rd Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program, NC Bar Association Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section, July 26, 2012

Professional Affiliations

• 28th Judicial District Bar

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

• Ethics Committee of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, Chairman

• North Carolina Bar Association

• Land of the Sky Estate Planning Council, (Former President)

• North Carolina State Bar, Specialization Committee for Estate Planning & Probate Law, (Former Member & Chairman)

• Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, (Former Council Member)
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Areas of Practice (7)

  • Estate Planning
  • Taxation
  • Estate & Trust Administration
  • Charitable Gift Planning
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Trust Reformations and Terminations
  • Trusts, Estates & Elder Law

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Davidson College, B.A., cum laude, 1992
Law School Attended:
New York University, LL.M., Taxation, 1997; University of North Carolina, J.D., with honors, 1996
Year of First Admission:
1996
Admission:
1996, North Carolina
Birth Information:
Atlanta, Georgia, June 2, 1970
Certifications:
Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization
ISLN:
912209492

Payment Information

Credit Cards Accepted
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Other, Visa

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (26 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    5.0/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    5.0/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Tax Law

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Estate Planning

    Mr. Kelso is an accomplished attorney with a thorough knowledge of the law in the area of tax, estate planning, and administration. He is deserving of the highest rating for expertise and ethics.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Family Wealth Transfer

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Estate Administration

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Trusts and Estates Taxation

    A skilled and creative professional.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 11/05/13 in Trusts and Estates

    One of the most knowledgeable attorneys I know. If I had a difficult trusts and estates issue in his general location, I would personally go to him. Has a great future.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 10/31/13 in Estate Planning

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 10/29/13 in Estate Planning

    John is a well respected leader in our practice area.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 10/28/13 in Estate Planning

    I have worked with John extensively and have always come away impressed with his dedication and knowledge

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Sole Practitioner on 10/25/13 in Estate Planning

    John Kelso is an excellent attorney. He also has very high ethical standards.

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Other Legal Directories

Lawyers Client Review
3.6/5.0 (2 reviews)
Client Champion

After my mom passed, John and I took on a complicated administration of her estate. His extensive knowledge of estate and tax law and his connections with the Asheville community made this process muc...

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Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Video Call Options

  • Zoom

  • Microsoft Teams

Contact John G. Kelso

Contact Information:

828-820-5209  Phone

www.vwlawfirm.com/john-g-kelso

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