Theodora A. Vaporis

“I am fiercely protective of my clients, especially my elderly clients, and try to treat them as I hoped my parents would be treated by others.”

Theodora Vaporis has been practicing law for over 25 years. Throughout her career, she has focused on assisting clients with their estate planning needs including estate administration after the loss of a loved one. Theodora has developed a reputation as a fierce advocate for the elderly and other persons vulnerable to undue influence. As such, Theodora assists clients in investigating disputes that can arise from fraudulent conveyance, misuse of a Power of Attorney or a Last Will and Testament procured by fraud or duress. She also helps clients establish Guardianships for the elderly and disabled, and assists the guardians appointed by the Court in maintaining proper accountings of those Guardianship Estates. Theodora regularly speaks to financial planning groups, churches and other organizations whose members want to learn more about how to protect their loved ones and make sure that their testamentary intent is fulfilled.

Theodora grew up in Boston as the daughter of a Greek Orthodox priest and a modern artist. Theodora maintains an active California law license from her years living and practicing in San Diego. She represents clients in California and as well as clients in North Carolina that own property in, or have other ties to, California.

Recent Representative matters:

• The case where Theodora felt she made the greatest impact in the last year was the restoration of competency to a 19 year old young man who she believed had been improperly declared incompetent losing his rights to make any decisions for himself. However, on a day-to-day basis Theodora helps families navigate the path of sorting out financial issues after the death of a loved one.

• Together with another attorney and many health care professionals, Theodora helped create the Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will used by many hospitals in North Carolina.

Outside of the office:

Theodora is married to Dr. Tom Schermerhorn, a retired Commander in the U.S. Navy. She and Tom love to travel including trips to Greece to visit Theodora’s extended family. Together they visit art museums in every city that they visit. One of their favorite recent trips was to South Africa with the Africa Project which benefits children in the impoverished township of Khayelitsha.  Theodora and Tom have three children, all of which are resident physicians, and two of which are active duty Navy physicians. For the past three summers they have hosted their “summer son” – a young man from Nigeria who has lived with them and has become a part of their family.

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