What steps can beneficiaries take under North Carolina law if an executor improperly distributes estate funds to someone not named in the will?

What steps can beneficiaries take under North Carolina law if an executor improperly distributes estate funds to someone not named in the will? Detailed Answer In North Carolina, the person appointed to administer an estate—called a personal representative—owes strict fiduciary duties to the estate and its beneficiaries. North Carolina law requires that the personal representative…

What information and documents should I gather before my initial call with a North Carolina probate attorney?

Detailed Answer When you speak with a North Carolina probate attorney for the first time, having the right information ready helps us evaluate your situation quickly and accurately. Probate begins when someone dies owning assets in their name alone. In North Carolina, the court oversees distributing those assets under N.C. Gen. Stat. §28A-2-2. Preparing documents…

How can I retrieve personal property when an uncooperative occupant blocks access under a North Carolina special proceeding?

How to Retrieve Personal Property When an Uncooperative Occupant Blocks Access under a North Carolina Special Proceeding Detailed Answer When someone holds your personal property and denies you access, North Carolina law offers a streamlined court process called a special proceeding. This process appears in Chapter 28A, Article 19A of the North Carolina General Statutes.…

How do I compel a personal representative in North Carolina to produce a decedent’s original will?

How do I compel a personal representative in North Carolina to produce a decedent’s original will? Detailed Answer When a decedent’s original will remains out of sight, beneficiaries and other interested parties may worry that the estate administration stalls or that assets go unprotected. North Carolina law requires every personal representative to deliver the decedent’s…

How do you use a permissive notice approach under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-11 for final accounting in North Carolina probate?

How to Use a Permissive Notice Approach for Final Accounting in North Carolina Probate 1. Detailed Answer When you serve as a personal representative in a North Carolina probate estate, you must close the estate by filing and confirming a final account. If the estate is unsupervised, North Carolina law lets you use a permissive…

How can I compel a personal representative to produce a decedent’s original will under North Carolina law?

How to Compel a Personal Representative to Produce a Decedent’s Original Will under North Carolina Law Detailed Answer Under North Carolina law, a personal representative holds a legal duty to deliver the decedent’s original will to the clerk of superior court for probate and record. North Carolina General Statute § 28A-2-1(a) requires the representative to…