How do I claim my share of my mother’s estate in North Carolina if she died without a will? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if your mother died without a will (intestate), her probate assets are divided by statute. After debts and allowed expenses, the surviving spouse (if any) takes a statutory…
What evidence do I need to show undue influence or lack of capacity when signing a will? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you prove lack of capacity with evidence that, at the time of signing, the person didn’t understand who their family/beneficiaries were, what they owned, how the will worked, or its…
What is the deadline for contesting a will in North Carolina? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date a will is admitted to probate in common form to file a caveat (will contest). You cannot file a caveat until the will has been probated. If the…
What legal rights do I have as a surviving spouse in North Carolina when my spouse died without a will and their family cut me out of decisions? — North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a surviving spouse has automatic rights even if there is no will. You are entitled to an intestate…
How do I get appointed as the estate administrator in North Carolina when my spouse died intestate and their family won’t cooperate? Short Answer In North Carolina, the surviving spouse has first priority to serve as administrator when someone dies without a will. You apply with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county of…
Can I have a guardian ad litem appointed for unknown or unlocatable heirs in a partition action? — North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In a North Carolina partition action, the clerk of superior court can appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) to represent heirs or co-owners whose identities or locations are unknown after you show…
How can I claim surplus funds after a foreclosure of my deceased parent’s property when their estate was never probated? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, any surplus from a power-of-sale foreclosure must be paid to the person entitled after costs, the foreclosing debt, and junior liens are satisfied. If the owner has…
What steps do I need to file the special proceeding notice to recover foreclosure surplus funds? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, surplus funds from a power-of-sale foreclosure are deposited with the Clerk of Superior Court after the sale becomes final. To claim them, you open a new special proceeding (SP) file, file…
Do I need to open a probate estate before I can recover surplus funds? — North Carolina Short Answer Not always. In North Carolina, if the former owner is alive, they can usually claim foreclosure surplus funds directly through the foreclosure file without opening probate. If the owner has died, someone with legal authority must…
How do I transfer my inherited membership interest in a single-member LLC after probate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a deceased owner’s LLC membership interest is personal property that passes into the estate and is managed by the personal representative (PR). After debts and expenses are handled, the PR can distribute the…
