What should I do if a medical or emergency transport company files a bill that insurance says is not owed—can the estate reject or dispute it? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a personal representative can dispute a creditor claim against an estate and, if appropriate, reject it in writing. After a…
Can the estate pursue or collect a claim my parent filed before passing, and how do I get updates if my sibling won’t share information? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, many claims a person filed before death can be continued and collected by the estate through the court-appointed personal representative (executor or…
What documents do I need to prove a car is paid off if I don’t have receipts? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest proof that a car is paid off is a lien release from the lienholder (often shown directly on the title or provided as a separate release). If the…
Can I leave off or dispose of a low-value vehicle during probate, or does it still have to be listed on the inventory? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a vehicle owned by the decedent at death generally still needs to be disclosed and valued on the estate inventory, even if it is…
What can I do if relatives told me there was no will, but a will was actually filed in probate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a will is usually filed and admitted to probate with the Clerk of Superior Court without advance notice to all family members. If relatives said there was…
What documents do I need to bring to the notary when signing the inventory? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the key document to bring is the unsigned inventory itself, plus a valid, current photo ID so the notary can verify identity. The inventory should be signed in front of the notary (not…
Can I publish the notice to creditors before the probate letters are signed and issued? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the notice to creditors is tied to the personal representative having already “qualified” (been officially appointed) by the Clerk of Superior Court. If the probate letters have not been signed and issued…
Who is authorized to request or receive escrowed funds when the decedent’s share is part of an estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person authorized to request or receive escrowed sale proceeds that belong to a decedent’s estate is usually the court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator) acting under Letters Testamentary…
How do I get a complete copy of a deceased parent’s will and probate filings if I can only see a summary page online? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, once a will is offered for probate, the original will is kept by the Clerk of Superior Court as part of the estate…
What happens after the house-sale money is transferred into the estate—who gets paid first and what comes next? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, once the house-sale proceeds are in the estate, the personal representative (or the clerk, in a clerk-administered estate) generally pays estate obligations in a statutory priority order—starting with costs…
