How do I complete a medical affidavit for a deceased parent’s estate when I do not know how to answer one of the questions? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, a person handling an estate should not guess on a medical affidavit. If one answer is unknown, the safer approach is to tell the…
What happens if the estate wants to keep the title in the estate’s name for now instead of transferring it right away? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, an estate can sometimes leave a vehicle or mobile home titled in the decedent’s name for a short period while the personal representative gathers records, protects…
Do I have to open a full probate estate just to change the deed and deal with the mortgage company? – NC Short Answer Not always. In North Carolina, a full probate estate is often not required if the main asset is a house and there is no need to use estate assets to pay…
How are music royalties handled in an estate, and what steps are needed to transfer or collect them? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, music royalties are usually treated as estate assets if the decedent owned the right to receive them at death. The personal representative must identify the royalty source, confirm who owns…
Can the estate hire a tax professional to request the deceased person’s tax records using a power of attorney form? – NC Short Answer Usually yes, but in North Carolina the authority comes from the estate’s personal representative, not from the deceased person’s old power of attorney. After qualification, the personal representative may hire and…
What are the next steps to handle my parent’s estate after a new development comes up? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, the next step depends on what the new development is and whether an estate has already been opened with the Clerk of Superior Court. In most cases, the personal representative must review…
What happens to a deceased parent’s share of a grandparent’s property when the parent dies before the property is sold? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, a deceased parent’s inherited share usually does not disappear just because the parent dies before the grandparent’s property is sold. That share generally becomes part of the parent’s…
How do I fix a check that was mistakenly made payable to an estate instead of the right person? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, the fix usually depends on who legally owns the money. If the funds belong to the estate, the personal representative generally collects them using the estate file and letters…
What happens if Medicaid says there is a lien—does it have to be paid before anything can be finalized? – NC Short Answer Usually, yes. In North Carolina probate, if the Department of Health and Human Services has a valid Medicaid estate recovery claim, the personal representative generally must resolve that claim before the estate…
What documents or information can I provide to help speed up the Medicaid lien verification process? – NC Short Answer In North Carolina, the fastest way to verify a possible Medicaid estate recovery claim is to give the law office a complete probate packet and basic identifying information for the deceased person. That usually includes…
