How do I challenge a public administrator’s appointment in an Alamance County estate and assert my beneficiary rights?

How do I challenge the appointment of a public administrator in my loved one’s Alamance County estate and assert my rights as a beneficiary? When a decedent dies and no qualified personal representative steps forward within 60 days, the county clerk may appoint a public administrator under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-6-9. You can challenge…

When does an NC heir need full probate instead of summary administration for a bank account valued over summary limits?

Can I use summary administration to probate an estate with a single bank account valued at $60,000 in Cleveland County, NC? In North Carolina, “summary administration” (also called collection by claiming heir) lets a qualifying heir collect personal property without opening a full estate file. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-19-3, you must meet two…

How can personal representative commissions and attorney fees be paid from a revocable trust under North Carolina law?

FAQ 1: How Are Personal Representative Commissions and Attorney Fees Paid When Estate Assets Are in a Revocable Trust? Answer: Under North Carolina law, a personal representative (sometimes called an executor) may receive commissions for administering an estate. G.S. 28A-15-3 sets the range for commissions at 3%–5% of “assets recovered and turned into money,” plus…

What are typical attorney fee structures and billing practices in a Halifax County partition action to sell inherited property?

What should I expect regarding attorney fees and billing in a Halifax County, North Carolina partition action? Answer: When you engage a probate attorney to file a partition action in Halifax County to sell inherited property, you’ll typically pay an initial retainer, ongoing hourly fees billed periodically, and advanced costs. A retainer acts as a…