What happens if the estate doesn’t have enough cash to pay attorney fees or CPA costs—can I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a personal representative can often pay necessary estate administration expenses (including reasonable attorney and CPA-type professional fees) out of pocket and then…
How do I legally get a deceased relative’s belongings out of their apartment if the lease is in their name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the safest way to legally remove a deceased tenant’s belongings is to act through someone with authority over the estate—usually a court-appointed personal representative (executor/administrator) with “letters”…
How does a year’s allowance interact with creditor claims and distributions from the estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a surviving spouse’s (and eligible child’s) year’s allowance is generally handled before most creditor payments and before distributions to heirs or beneficiaries. The clerk of superior court can award the allowance from the…
Do I need court approval or updated letters of authority before distributing the final cents from an estate account? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no separate court order or “updated” letters are required just to distribute the last small balance from an estate account in North Carolina, as long as the personal representative’s letters…
What documents does a bank need to release statements for an estate account opened after death with an EIN? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a bank usually releases statements for an estate account to the court-appointed personal representative (or the personal representative’s attorney) after receiving proof of authority. The most common documents…
How do I quickly obtain official proof of authority if the agent requires more than a simple letter? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the fastest “official proof of authority” usually comes from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the estate is opened. If a personal representative has already qualified,…
What is the simplest way to transfer my parent’s car entirely to my sibling when the will leaves shares to minor children? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the simplest way is usually for the personal representative (executor) to transfer the vehicle to the sibling as an estate distribution by signing the title…
How do I open an estate bank account and transfer funds from the decedent’s personal account safely? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the personal representative (executor or administrator) typically opens an estate bank account after qualifying with the Clerk of Superior Court and receiving Letters. The estate account should use the estate’s…
What documents do I need to transfer a car or truck title from an estate to a buyer, and how do I sign on behalf of the estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, when a vehicle is titled solely in the decedent’s name and the estate is being administered, the personal representative…
What can I do if I believe a family member forged paperwork or illegally took control of a deceased parent’s estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the first step is usually to confirm what has been filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in the estate file and whether someone has been…
