How do I petition to reopen a closed estate to recover missing assets? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a beneficiary or any interested person may ask the Clerk of Superior Court to reopen a closed estate when new estate property is discovered, a necessary act was not done, or other proper cause…
What documents should I provide to verify my share of the rental income and appraisal? – North Carolina Short Answer Bring clear proof of what rent was collected, what expenses were paid, and a reliable valuation. In North Carolina partition buyouts, you typically show leases, rent rolls, bank statements, tax returns (Schedule E), property management…
How does the mediation process work for a property buyout in North Carolina? Short Answer In North Carolina, mediation for a co-owner property buyout is a confidential, structured negotiation run by a neutral mediator. It can be ordered by the Clerk of Superior Court in partition matters or occur under superior court rules if the…
How can I ensure the rental income is included in the buyout offer for our co-owned property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, co-owners can account for “rents and profits” in a buyout by agreeing to a written credit for rental income (net of agreed expenses) as part of the settlement and deed.…
How do I locate a lost will or other estate planning documents after a parent dies? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, start by asking the Clerk of Superior Court to check for any will deposited for safekeeping, and arrange a proper safe-deposit box inventory if one exists. You can also compel anyone…
What is the difference between small estate procedures and full probate when I inherit assets? – North Carolina Short Answer North Carolina’s small estate process lets an eligible heir collect and distribute a decedent’s personal property by filing a simple affidavit if the estate’s personal property (after liens) is $20,000 or less (or $30,000 if…
Can inheriting assets disqualify me from Medicaid or food stamps? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes—if you actually receive countable money or property, it can affect income- and resource-based benefits like Medicaid and food stamps (SNAP). In North Carolina, whether you “inherit” something depends on how your parents’ assets are titled. Many items transfer outside…
How do I close or access a deceased parent’s bank account with a death certificate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a death certificate alone is enough for some accounts but not all. If the account was payable-on-death (POD) or jointly owned with right of survivorship, the bank can release funds to the…
How can I find out if I’m the beneficiary of my parents’ life insurance policies? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, life insurance normally pays directly to the named beneficiary and does not go through probate. To find out if you are the beneficiary, identify each insurer and request claim instructions; the insurer…
Can my spouse who lives in one state participate in probate proceedings in another state? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. Under North Carolina law, an heir or next of kin may participate in a North Carolina estate even if they live in another state. They can object to someone else’s application for letters of…
