How do I get appointed as the administrator if the original administrator stopped acting and I’m now handling everything? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, only the Clerk of Superior Court (the probate court) can change who is serving as administrator. If the currently appointed administrator has stopped acting, the usual path is…
How do I handle a real estate agent who seems biased toward another heir and is sharing my personal information? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a real estate agent involved in selling estate property should take direction from the person with legal authority to act for the estate (often the personal representative)…
How can I tell if it makes sense to open my deceased relative’s estate when the debts look bigger than the assets, and what risks do I take if I do? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, opening an estate can still make sense even when debts appear to exceed assets, because a…
How do I start probate to transfer my sibling’s real estate when I live in another state? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate and estate administration are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court. Living in another state does not prevent starting the process, but the filing must be made in the…
What documents will a creditor’s estate department usually require to discuss the account? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a creditor’s estate department usually will not discuss a deceased person’s credit card account with a family member unless that person can prove legal authority to act for the estate. The most commonly requested…
Can I obtain a death certificate if I’m not an immediate family member, and what proof do I need? – North Carolina Short Answer Sometimes. In North Carolina, access to a certified death certificate is restricted, so a person who is not an immediate family member may need to show a legally recognized reason for…
Can a will be thrown out if the witnesses and notary didn’t actually see it signed, and what evidence can I use to prove my parent intended to revoke the earlier will? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, an attested will can be rejected if the signing and witnessing steps did not…
How do I open an estate bank account and handle the sale proceeds during the creditor claim window? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the personal representative (administrator) typically opens an estate checking account right after qualification using the estate’s own taxpayer identification number (not the decedent’s Social Security number) and the Letters…
How do I correct errors on a death certificate, such as wrong marital status and birth date? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a death certificate generally cannot be changed after it is filed unless an amendment request is submitted through the State Registrar (NC Vital Records) using the required form and proof.…
How do I inventory assets at the time of death when records are decades old? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the estate inventory is a list of probate assets valued as of the decedent’s date of death, even if the paperwork is old or incomplete. If exact values or account details are…
