If I don’t have receipts for most purchases, can bank statements or medical paperwork still support an estate claim? – North Carolina

Short Answer

Yes. In North Carolina, a claim against an estate does not automatically fail just because receipts are missing. Bank statements, cancelled checks, pharmacy records, appointment logs, and medical paperwork can help prove that expenses were paid or that services were provided, especially when they line up with dates, locations, and the decedent’s needs. The bigger risk is usually timing: a creditor claim must be presented to the personal representative within the estate’s claims period.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina probate, can a caregiver who paid out-of-pocket and coordinated care for a decedent still make a claim against the decedent’s estate when most receipts are missing and there is no written caregiver agreement? The decision point is whether other records (like bank statements and medical paperwork) can reasonably show that the expenses or services were for the decedent and were not intended as a gift.

Apply the Law

In North Carolina, a person seeking reimbursement or payment for services generally must (1) timely present a claim to the estate and (2) prove the amount and basis for the claim. Documentation is part of proof, but the law does not require a receipt for every line item. The main forum for estate administration is the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the estate is opened, and claims are presented to the estate’s personal representative (executor/administrator) during the creditor-claims period.

Key Requirements

Timely presentation of the claim: The claim must be presented to the personal representative within the estate’s creditor-claims period, or it can be barred.
Proof the claim is for the decedent (not a personal expense): Records should connect the spending or services to the decedent’s care, needs, or benefit.
Proof of amount and reasonableness: The claim should be supported by a clear total and a reasonable explanation of how the total was calculated, even if some receipts are missing.

What the Statutes Say

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-22 (Actions against a personal representative; notice/claim presentation timing) – ties lawsuits against a decedent’s personal representative to timely presentation of the underlying claim within the estate claims period.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: The facts describe unpaid caregiving and out-of-pocket purchases over several years, plus coordination of medical care and transportation, with few receipts and no written caregiver agreement. Bank statements and medical paperwork can still support a claim by showing (1) payments that match the decedent’s needs (pharmacy purchases, medical supply vendors, mileage/transportation patterns) and (2) a timeline that matches the decedent’s appointments and care plan. The claim is stronger when the records show a consistent pattern and when the claimed amounts can be summarized in a clear spreadsheet with supporting documents attached.

Process & Timing

Who files: The person seeking reimbursement/payment (the claimant). Where: Present the claim to the estate’s personal representative in the North Carolina estate opened with the Clerk of Superior Court. What: A written creditor claim describing the basis (reimbursement for specific expenses and/or payment for caregiving services), the total amount, and supporting documentation (bank statements, cancelled checks, pharmacy printouts, calendars, mileage logs, and medical appointment documentation). When: During the estate’s creditor-claims period stated in the estate notice to creditors.
Next step: The personal representative reviews the claim and may request more detail (for example, a breakdown by month, copies of bank pages showing the transactions, and an explanation of why each category benefited the decedent). If the claim is disputed, the personal representative may reject it, which can trigger a need to pursue the claim in court within the applicable deadlines.
Final step: If allowed, the claim is paid from estate assets according to statutory priority rules (some claims get paid before others). If not allowed, the claimant may need to file suit to establish the debt, and the estate may defend by arguing the payments were gifts, were not for the decedent, or are not adequately proven.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

“Gift” arguments: Family members often argue caregiving and small purchases were done out of kindness. A claim is stronger when records show repeated out-of-pocket payments, a consistent caregiving schedule, and communications indicating an expectation of repayment or compensation.
Power of attorney confusion: Holding medical power of attorney can explain access to medical information and decision-making, but it does not automatically create a right to payment. The claim still needs proof of the debt and the amount.
Vague totals: A single lump-sum number without a breakdown is easier to reject. A month-by-month spreadsheet tied to bank entries and appointment dates is usually more persuasive than a narrative alone.
Mixed personal and decedent expenses: If purchases were made at general retailers, the claim should separate clearly decedent-related items from personal items and explain the method used to do that.
Late filing: Even good proof may not matter if the claim is not presented within the estate’s claims period. For more on how the deadline works, see how long creditors have to file claims against an estate.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, missing receipts do not automatically prevent an estate claim for caregiving-related expenses or services. Bank statements, cancelled checks, pharmacy records, calendars, and medical paperwork can help prove that the spending or work benefited the decedent and support a reasonable total. The key is to present a clear, itemized written claim to the estate’s personal representative within the creditor-claims period stated in the estate notice to creditors.

Talk to a Probate Attorney

If a caregiver is trying to document out-of-pocket expenses or unpaid services and other people are disputing the claim, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help organize the proof, evaluate the claim basis, and track the probate deadlines. Call us today at [CONTACT NUMBER].

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.