Does a cease and desist letter stop me from asking about the estate, and how can I get information without violating it? – North Carolina Short Answer No. In North Carolina, a cease-and-desist letter is not a court order, so it does not automatically stop an heir or other interested person from seeking estate information…
How do I set up an estate bank account and what documents do I need to open it? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an estate bank account is typically opened by the court-appointed personal representative (an executor or administrator) after qualification with the Clerk of Superior Court. Most banks will require certified…
Can the estate claim or offset what my sibling owes our parent against their inheritance, including amounts tied to a mortgage? – North Carolina Short Answer Often, yes. In North Carolina, if a beneficiary or heir owes a valid debt to a parent who has died, the personal representative can treat that debt as an…
Will changing the executor affect the distribution of estate assets? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, changing the executor (called the “personal representative” in North Carolina) does not change who receives estate assets or the shares they receive. Distribution is controlled by the will (and North Carolina’s estate rules if the will is silent), and…
Will the court accept online marketplace listings as proof of a vehicle’s value, or do I need something more formal? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the clerk of superior court can consider many types of evidence to set a vehicle’s value in a year’s allowance matter, and online marketplace listings can help…
How can I challenge an executor who directed house sale proceeds into the wrong estate and kept heirs in the dark? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an executor (personal representative) can be challenged through an estate proceeding in front of the Clerk of Superior Court. Common tools include demanding an accounting, asking…
What happens to the estate if the personal representative is detained or becomes unavailable during administration? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if a personal representative becomes unavailable during an estate administration, the Clerk of Superior Court can revoke that person’s authority and appoint a successor so the estate can keep moving. Once…
Do I need appraisals for household items and vehicles, or are good-faith estimates acceptable? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina probate, the inventory is supposed to report assets at their fair market value as of the date of death. A formal appraisal is not required for every household item or vehicle, but the…
How can I claim life insurance proceeds when the policy was held by my grandparent and the estate isn’t probated? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, life insurance usually pays directly to the named beneficiary and does not require a full probate case. In practice, some insurers still ask for proof that no…
What can I do if relatives moved property or gave away items like a phone after the death, and how is ownership determined? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the personal representative (administrator) must identify, secure, and inventory estate property, and can demand return of items that belong to the estate. If a…
