Can a loan personally guaranteed by a decedent be partially settled by an estate?: North Carolina Probate

Can a loan personally guaranteed by a decedent be partially settled by an estate? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a decedent’s personal guaranty is a claim against the estate. If estate assets are insufficient, the claim can be compromised or paid only in part after costs of administration and higher‑priority claims.…

How can I negotiate a reduced loan payoff through an estate probate process?: North Carolina Probate

How can I negotiate a reduced loan payoff through an estate probate process? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a personal representative (PR) may negotiate and compromise creditor claims, including loans guaranteed by the decedent. When an estate is insolvent, claims are paid by statutory priority and then pro rata within each class,…

What rights does my parent’s separated spouse have to estate assets when there is no will?: Clear guidance for North Carolina families

What rights does my parent’s separated spouse have to estate assets when there is no will? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a separated but still-married spouse is treated as the “surviving spouse” unless a statute cuts off their rights or they waived them. If not disqualified, the spouse may claim a $60,000…

Can I sell my parent’s vehicles before obtaining letters of administration?: North Carolina Probate

Can I sell my parent’s vehicles before obtaining letters of administration? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you generally need legal authority before selling a deceased parent’s vehicles. You can either (1) qualify as administrator and then sell, or (2) if no one will qualify, use the DMV’s affidavit process (MVR-317) signed by…

Am I or my siblings legally responsible for our parent’s debts if they died without a will?: North Carolina guidance for probate heirs and administrators

Am I or my siblings legally responsible for our parent’s debts if they died without a will? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, children do not owe a deceased parent’s debts. Creditors get paid from the parent’s estate, not from the heirs personally. If you serve as the administrator, you avoid personal liability…

Does an insurance policy payable to named beneficiaries bypass the estate entirely?: North Carolina Probate

Does an insurance policy payable to named beneficiaries bypass the estate entirely? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, life insurance payable to named beneficiaries is a non-probate asset and is paid directly by the insurer to those beneficiaries, not into the estate. Key exceptions apply if the estate is the named beneficiary,…