How do I document distributions made to an heir’s partner versus estate expenses? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, every estate payment must be proved with a voucher (like a receipt, bill marked paid, or cancelled check), and every beneficiary distribution should be backed by a signed receipt. Payments that benefit the estate…
How can I properly classify withdrawals and reimburse funeral expenses so they are approved in my probate accounting? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, classify every estate withdrawal by its purpose and support it with a voucher (such as a canceled check, itemized bill, or bank statement). Funeral costs are priority claims and…
Can I force the executor to provide full accountings and grant me access to inherited assets? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes, in North Carolina you can ask the Clerk of Superior Court to order an executor to file the required inventory and accountings and to enforce that order. Beneficiaries generally cannot take direct possession…
What steps can I take to undo an estate property sale made under a power of attorney? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can ask the Clerk of Superior Court to order a full accounting from the agent under the power of attorney and to recover estate property transferred in breach of…
What remedies exist when reports of elder abuse in an estate go uninvestigated by authorities? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you do not have to wait on law enforcement or adult protective services to protect an estate. Beneficiaries and other interested persons can ask the Clerk of Superior Court to compel the…
How can I challenge my parent’s role as executor for hiding the original will? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, any interested heir or beneficiary can petition the Clerk of Superior Court to remove an executor who concealed a will, made false statements to obtain letters, or breached fiduciary duties. You can also…
Can an estate administrator claim funeral expenses from insurance proceeds rather than estate assets? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, funeral expenses are the estate’s obligation and are generally paid from estate assets in order of priority. Life insurance payable to a named beneficiary is not an estate asset, so the administrator cannot…
What are the chances and steps for a successful will contest given family changes since the will was drafted? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, marriage or the birth of a child does not automatically revoke an earlier will. A will contest succeeds only if you prove a legal ground such as improper…
Can we contest the outdated will to include the minor child and adjust inheritance shares? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a child born after a will is signed may be entitled to an intestate share even if the will says otherwise, and a surviving spouse can claim an elective share if…
How can I find out if a life insurance policy was assigned to pay the funeral home directly? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you confirm a funeral-home assignment by getting two things: (1) the signed assignment and claim paperwork the beneficiary and funeral home submitted, and (2) the insurer’s claim record showing…
