How can I negotiate or confirm a settlement on a deceased person’s credit card during estate administration? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a credit card company generally should be treated as an estate creditor, meaning the personal representative should require a written claim and then decide whether to allow it, dispute it,…
Can the insurer reissue a check to the estate and mail it directly to the administrator instead of the decedent’s address? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes, in many North Carolina estate administrations an insurer can reissue a check payable to the estate (or to the personal representative of the estate) and mail it directly…
What does it mean that I renounced my right to serve, and can I change that now? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina probate, “renouncing the right to serve” usually means signing and filing a written renunciation with the Clerk of Superior Court that gives up the priority right to be appointed as…
How long does the estate process typically take and what are the main steps? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a routine estate administration often takes several months to more than a year, depending on how quickly assets can be gathered, debts resolved, and required filings completed. Many estates cannot be wrapped up…
How do I correct or update executor or beneficiary information after a probate form has been filed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate filings are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court (Estates). If a probate form was filed with incorrect executor or beneficiary information, the usual fix is to file a…
How do I check whether a probate case exists in the county where my parent lived and get copies of the filings? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate and estate administration records are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court (Estates) in the county where the estate is opened. A probate/estate file…
Can I be appointed to handle the estate quickly so the bank will work with me on catching up the mortgage or refinancing? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes—under North Carolina law, a family member can usually be appointed fairly quickly as the estate’s personal representative (often called an “administrator” when there is no will)…
Do I need to open probate before I can reinstate the loan or transfer the deed into my and my spouse’s names? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate (or another court-approved estate procedure) is usually needed to transfer the deed into a new owner’s name when the home was owned by the…
How do I obtain letters testamentary when the court file was started with the wrong form and items are already on record? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, letters testamentary are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court after the correct testate-estate application is filed and approved, the executor qualifies (including signing an…
If a treasury agency is holding the funds, what steps do I take to get them released to me? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, funds held by the State Treasurer (often through the Unclaimed Property/Escheat Fund) are usually released by filing a claim with the Treasurer and proving legal entitlement. If the…
