Can I use a Small Estate Affidavit in North Carolina for assets under $20,000 to avoid full probate?

Detailed Answer In North Carolina, you can use a small estate affidavit to collect certain assets without opening a full probate estate—provided the estate meets strict requirements. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 28A-19-1, if a decedent’s estate consists solely of personal property valued at $20,000 or less (after deducting liens or encumbrances), a surviving…

How can co-owners in North Carolina resolve inherited property disputes without a costly public partition sale?

How Co-owners in North Carolina Can Resolve Inherited Property Disputes Without a Costly Public Partition Sale 1. Detailed Answer When heirs inherit real estate as co-owners, disputes often arise over whether to sell, keep or divide the property. North Carolina law allows any co-owner to force a public partition sale through the courts under N.C.G.S.…

What actions can a North Carolina personal representative take if their attorney fails to timely file an annual accounting?

What actions can a North Carolina personal representative take if their attorney fails to timely file an annual accounting? Detailed Answer Under North Carolina law, a personal representative must file an annual accounting within one year of qualifying and every year thereafter until the estate closes. See North Carolina General Statutes § 28A-21-4(c) (ncleg.gov/GS_28A-21-4). If…

Do I Need Florida Probate and North Carolina Ancillary Probate to Transfer North Carolina Property After an Out-of-State Intestate Death?

Do I Need Florida Probate and North Carolina Ancillary Probate to Transfer North Carolina Property After an Out-of-State Intestate Death? Detailed Answer When a person dies without a will (intestate) in Florida and owns real property in North Carolina, you must handle probate in both states. First, the personal representative files a probate case in…

Can heirs avoid formal probate by using After-Death Posting to clear title on inherited real estate in North Carolina?

Can heirs avoid formal probate by using After-Death Posting to clear title on inherited real estate in North Carolina? Detailed Answer In North Carolina, heirs sometimes seek to bypass formal probate to reduce costs and speed up property transfer. One statutory shortcut is known as After-Death Posting. This procedure lets heirs transfer title to real…