How Does Intestate Succession Work When No Will Exists and the Decedent Died With No Spouse and Three Children in North Carolina?

Detailed Answer When a North Carolina resident dies intestate—meaning without a valid will—the North Carolina Intestate Succession Act (Chapter 29 of the N.C. General Statutes) decides who receives the estate. If the decedent leaves no surviving spouse and three living children, the law divides the probate estate equally among those children. Key Statutes G.S. 29-15 –…

How can the Slayer statute rule affect an heir’s right to inherit from a decedent’s estate?

North Carolina Slayer Statute: How Killing the Decedent Stops an Heir From Inheriting Detailed Answer North Carolina’s “Slayer Statute” (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31A-4 through § 31A-15) prevents a person who wilfully and unlawfully kills another from receiving any financial benefit from the victim’s death. In probate terms, the killer—called the “slayer”—is treated as though…

How does title transfer for an inherited home when there is no will and multiple heirs?

How Title Transfers for an Inherited Home With No Will and Multiple Heirs in North Carolina Detailed Answer 1. Intestate Succession Sets the Starting Point When someone dies without a will, North Carolina’s Intestate Succession Act (Chapter 29) decides who inherits. The statute creates a priority list—spouse, children, parents, siblings, and so on. If more than…

What steps are involved in a Medicaid estate recovery claim against inherited property in North Carolina?

Medicaid Estate Recovery in North Carolina: Step-by-Step Guide for Heirs Detailed Answer When a North Carolina resident received Medicaid benefits after age 55, the State must try to recoup those costs from the person’s probate estate after death. This process is called Medicaid Estate Recovery and is carried out by the Division of Health Benefits…

How to Determine What Assets Remain in an Estate After Paying Debts and Fees in North Carolina

Detailed Answer To see what assets remain in a North Carolina estate after paying debts, taxes, and court costs, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must follow the accounting roadmap set out in Chapter 28A of the North Carolina General Statutes. Below is a step-by-step explanation in plain English. 1. Inventory every probate asset. Within…