What can I do if someone used a fake power of attorney to transfer my parent’s land while my parent was in the hospital? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a land transfer signed under a fake (forged or invalid) power of attorney can often be challenged in court and unwound, especially if…
What can I do if the deceased owner’s children won’t sign the notarized paperwork needed to retitle the vehicle? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if the vehicle is titled only in the deceased owner’s name and the DMV is requiring an heirs’ affidavit, the DMV generally cannot retitle the vehicle unless all…
How can I prove whether a deceased person’s bank account was joint or individual if the bank can’t produce the signature card? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest proof of a joint account with survivorship is the written account agreement (often the signature card) signed by all account owners. If the…
Can probating the will stop a relative from forcing a sale through a partition action? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no. In North Carolina, probating a will can clarify who owns the house (the devisees under the will), but it does not automatically prevent a co-owner from filing a partition case in Superior Court…
What should a creditor release letter include so the estate can show the account is fully resolved? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina probate, a creditor release letter should clearly identify the decedent and the estate, identify the creditor’s account/claim, confirm the amount received, and state that the balance is $0 and the…
What does the probate process usually look like for a small estate when some key documents are coming from another country? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a “small estate” often can be handled through an abbreviated clerk-of-court process instead of a full probate administration, but the Clerk of Superior Court still must…
How do I get missing bank statements for a decedent’s account and an estate account so I can complete the estate’s records and taxes? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person with legal authority to act for the estate (the personal representative) can usually obtain missing bank statements and year-end tax reporting…
Do I have to open probate to collect my spouse’s bank funds, or is there a simpler way? – North Carolina Short Answer Not always. In North Carolina, a bank account that was solely in a deceased spouse’s name usually cannot be released to the surviving spouse without some estate authority, but that authority may…
How do I find the correct mailing addresses for heirs if I only have partial contact information? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina probate matters, the goal is to use reasonable diligence to locate each heir’s best mailing address and document the steps taken. When an address cannot be confirmed, the next step…
Can someone farm inherited land while probate is still pending, and who has authority to approve it? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, inherited land can sometimes be farmed while probate is pending, but the right person must authorize it. In many estates, title to the land passes to the heirs or devisees…
