Detailed Answer In North Carolina probate, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must identify, evaluate, and—when appropriate—negotiate creditor claims before the estate can be closed. Below is a step-by-step roadmap that aligns with Article 19 of the North Carolina Probate Code (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-19-1 through § 28A-19-16). Open the Estate and Publish Notice…
North Carolina Probate FAQ: What Documentation Should an Executor Gather to Respond to a Creditor’s Settlement Demand? Detailed Answer When a creditor contacts you, the personal representative (executor or administrator) of a North Carolina estate must decide whether to pay, negotiate, or reject the claim. Good decisions start with good records. Below is a checklist…
Executor’s Guide to Challenging a Creditor Claim for Predatory Lending in North Carolina Probate Detailed Answer When a lender files a claim against an estate, the personal representative (called an executor when there is a will) has the statutory duty to accept or reject that claim within 90 days of presentation. North Carolina’s probate code,…
Accessing and Withdrawing Funds From a Deceased Person’s Bank Account in North Carolina Detailed Answer In North Carolina, money held solely in a decedent’s name becomes part of the probate estate. No one may legally withdraw those funds until they obtain authority from the Clerk of Superior Court or meet a statutory exemption. Attempting to…
North Carolina Probate Costs—A Complete Breakdown Detailed Answer When a loved one dies, the personal representative (called the executor under a will or administrator when there is no will) quickly discovers that probate is not free. North Carolina law sets several mandatory charges and allows other discretionary expenses. Together, they make up the total cost…
What Steps Are Needed to Seek Guardianship or a Conservatorship for an Incapacitated Relative in North Carolina? Detailed Answer In North Carolina, the legal tool used to protect an incapacitated adult is called “guardianship.” A Guardian of the Estate performs the same financial-management role that some states label “conservatorship.” Below is a plain-English walk-through of…
How to Locate and Verify Original Wills and Codicils Before Opening Probate in North Carolina Why the Original Matters The Clerk of Superior Court will not open an estate in North Carolina without either (1) the original will or codicil or (2) a court order admitting a lost or destroyed instrument. Finding the genuine, signed…
Which Documents and Certificates Should Be Collected to Begin Estate Administration in North Carolina? Detailed Answer Before the Clerk of Superior Court will issue Letters Testamentary (when there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (when there is no Will), the proposed personal representative must supply a core set of papers that prove three things:…
Detailed Answer Keeping the lights on while a loved one’s estate moves through North Carolina probate can feel overwhelming. The good news is that state law provides clear rules — and several practical tools — for paying funeral costs, debts, and day-to-day bills without putting the personal representative at risk. 1. Get Legal Authority First…
What Options Exist for Selling or Transferring Real Property When an Heir Is a Minor Child and Cannot Consent? Detailed Answer North Carolina law recognizes that children under 18 lack legal capacity to sign deeds or settlement agreements. When an estate includes real estate that passes to, or is co-owned by, a minor heir, any…
