Jan242026
Probate Q&A Series

What rights does a surviving spouse have to a house if the will leaves the house to an adult child and the spouse is not named in the will? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, a surviving spouse who is not named in a will may still have strong rights that affect a house left to an adult child. The spouse may be able to claim an elective share of the decedent’s “total net assets,” and may also be able to elect a life estate in the marital home (a right to live there for life) in lieu of an intestate share or elective share. These rights are time-sensitive and are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court in the estate proceeding.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina probate, the key question is: when a parent dies with an older will that leaves the home to an adult child, but the parent later remarried and the surviving spouse is not named in the will, can the surviving spouse still claim rights in the house. The decision point usually turns on whether the surviving spouse chooses to assert statutory spouse protections through the estate proceeding, and whether those rights were waived. Timing matters because some spouse claims must be filed soon after the estate is opened.

Apply the Law

North Carolina does not automatically revoke an older will just because the person later married. Instead, North Carolina law gives the surviving spouse certain statutory rights that can override what the will says, at least to some extent. In a “house-to-adult-child” situation, the two most common rights that change the outcome are (1) the spouse’s elective share claim and (2) the spouse’s option to elect a life estate in the marital residence in lieu of an intestate share or elective share. A surviving spouse may also have a year’s allowance claim, which can affect estate cash and personal property and sometimes influences whether the house must be sold to raise funds.

Key Requirements

  • Elective share eligibility and percentage: The surviving spouse must be the spouse of a North Carolina domiciliary at death and must file a timely elective share petition. The percentage depends on the length of the marriage (15%, 25%, 33%, or 50% of “total net assets,” with credit for what already passes to the spouse).
  • Life estate election (the “right to live there” option): If the spouse qualifies and makes a timely election, the spouse can seek a life estate in one-third of the decedent’s real estate value, and can specifically elect a life estate in the usual dwelling house occupied at death if the decedent owned it at death.
  • No valid waiver: These rights can be waived (for example, by a written waiver in a marital agreement or by joining in certain real estate conveyances). If there is a valid waiver, the spouse’s claim may be reduced or barred.

What the Statutes Say

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the will leaves the house to an adult child, but the decedent later remarried and the surviving spouse is living in the home and is not named in the will. Under North Carolina law, the surviving spouse may still file an elective share claim, which can require the estate (and sometimes beneficiaries) to satisfy the spouse’s statutory share even if the will gives the spouse nothing. Separately, if the spouse chooses, the spouse may pursue a life estate election that can preserve the spouse’s ability to remain in the home even though the child is the will beneficiary.

Process & Timing

  1. Who files: The surviving spouse (or, in limited situations, an authorized agent or guardian). Where: The Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the estate is administered. What: A petition to claim the elective share and/or a petition to elect a life estate under the statute. When: An elective share claim must be filed within six months after letters testamentary or letters of administration are issued.
  2. Information and parties: The clerk process typically requires notice to the personal representative and other interested parties. The estate will need enough financial information for the clerk to determine what assets count toward the elective share and what property (if any) already passes to the spouse.
  3. Outcome: If the spouse proves entitlement, the clerk can enter an order determining the elective share and directing transfers to satisfy it, or can oversee the life estate allotment process if the spouse elects that route. The practical result is often either (a) a negotiated settlement, or (b) an order that affects whether the house can be transferred free and clear to the adult child right away.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

  • Waiver issues: A valid written waiver (often in a marital agreement) can reduce or eliminate elective share and related rights. Real estate documents signed during the marriage can also matter for life estate rights.
  • “Not named in the will” does not mean “no rights”: A spouse can still have statutory rights even when omitted, but those rights usually require affirmative filings with the clerk.
  • House title and non-probate transfers: The way the house is titled (and whether assets pass outside probate) can change what is available to satisfy a spouse’s claim and who may have to contribute. This is a common source of surprises and litigation.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, a surviving spouse who is not named in a will can still have important rights that affect a house left to an adult child, including the right to claim an elective share and, in some cases, to elect a life estate in the usual dwelling house. These rights are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court in the estate proceeding and are deadline-driven. The most important next step is to determine when letters were issued and, if appropriate, file the spouse’s claim within six months after letters.

Talk to a Probate Attorney

If a will leaves a house to an adult child but a surviving spouse is living in the home and was not named in the will, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help explain elective share and life estate options, and the deadlines that apply. Call us today at 919-341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.

Category: Probate Q&A Series

Author: Pierce Law

Pierce Law Group is a North Carolina law firm focused on probate administration, real estate partition matters, and surplus funds claims across North Carolina. We know these situations often come with stress, family dynamics, and time-sensitive decisions—so we prioritize clear communication, steady guidance, and a practical plan from day one. Our goal is to make a complicated process feel manageable, while protecting what matters most to you.