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The Van Winkle Law FirmPrincipal
John G. Kelso
Pro

John G. Kelso

4.9
28 reviews

11 North Market Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Estate Planning, Taxation, Estate & Trust Administration and 4 more

About John G. Kelso

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)

 

John G. Kelso (Asheville, North Carolina) View website

Awards

Client Reviewed
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Champion Badge Reviewed
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

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Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

John G. Kelso got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

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Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for John G. Kelso

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Overall Rating
4.9
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28
3.6
Lawyers.com
2
5.0
Martindale
26
Avvo
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Showing 1-2 of 2 client reviews from Lawyers.com
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What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
3.5
Quality of Service
4.0
Responsiveness
3.5
Value for Money
3.5
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
September 17, 2019
Hired Attorney John G. Kelso

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 much easier. When I look at what his experience meant for the estate, I know that his involvement added value to its administration. His charges are fair and his work ethic is strong. I’m an attorney, retired, who’s seen the work of many lawyers over the years. He is at the pinnacle of our profession.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
May 02, 2013
Hired Attorney John G. Kelso

Incredibly inconsistent in providing a timely response, and at times totally non-responsive to emails and phone calls for weeks or months. Responded with sarcasm or blanket excuses when confronted with difficulties in working relationship regarding response times and prioritization of responsibilities to clients. Paid lot of money to review documents, and eventually had to find legal assistance elsewhere. Not what a potentially high paying client would expect from a high caliber law firm...

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Trusts and Estates 1
    • Estate Planning
  • Taxation
  • Other 5
    • Estate & Trust Administration
    • Charitable Gift Planning
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Trust Reformations and Terminations
    • Trusts, Estates & Elder Law

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Accepted Credit Cards
    American Express
    Discover
    MasterCard
    Other
    Visa
  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
    Video Call Options
    Zoom
    Microsoft Teams
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Principal
    Firm Name
    The Van Winkle Law Firm
  • Additional Links
    https://www.vwlawfirm.com/john-g-kelso/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1996, North Carolina
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    New York University
    Class of 1997
    LL.M.
    Taxation

    University of North Carolina
    Class of 1996
    J.D.
    with honors
    Other Education
    Davidson College
    Class of 1992
    B.A.
    cum laude
    Legal Certifications
    Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1970
    Atlanta, Georgia, June 2, 1970

Contact John G. Kelso

Principal at The Van Winkle Law Firm
4.9
28 reviews

11 North Market StreetAsheville, NC 28801U.S.A.

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Office Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    John G. Kelso was admitted in 1996 to the State of North Carolina.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    The Van Winkle Law Firm has 4 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John G. Kelso attended New York University and University of North Carolina.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    The Van Winkle Law Firm was established in 1907.

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