How do I complete the estate inventory if I’m still waiting on account statements or property values? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the personal representative generally must file the estate inventory with the Clerk of Superior Court within three months after qualification, even if some values are not final. The inventory should…
If the funeral was arranged by a family member, can the estate still request the contract and receipts from the funeral home? – North Carolina Short Answer Often, yes. In North Carolina, even if a family member arranged the funeral, the estate’s personal representative usually still needs the funeral contract and itemized receipts to properly…
What information does the estate need from the facility to handle final bills and close out the account? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the estate usually needs a final, itemized statement from the facility (showing dates of service through the date of death, charges, payments, and the remaining balance), plus basic account…
Who is authorized to request or receive the decedent’s records and billing information after death? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person with the clearest authority to request and receive a deceased person’s records and billing information is the estate’s court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator) once “Letters” are issued by the…
If the beneficiary wants to give the inherited property interest to someone else right away, what steps have to happen first so the transfer isn’t later challenged by creditors? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a beneficiary who wants to transfer inherited North Carolina real estate quickly should not deed it out until…
How do I find out whether a deceased relative had investment or retirement accounts if I don’t have account numbers or statements? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person administering the estate (the personal representative) usually starts by gathering clues from the decedent’s mail, email, tax returns, and prior bank activity, then…
How do we correct an error in the decedent’s basic information on forms we already started? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the safest way to correct an error in a decedent’s basic information on probate paperwork is to contact the Clerk of Superior Court (Estates) in the county where the estate file…
Where should we send the facility’s final statement and supporting paperwork for the estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a senior care facility should send the final statement and supporting paperwork to the estate’s personal representative (the executor or administrator), not to family members informally. If no personal representative has been appointed…
How can I search for accounts that might be held at a different company with a similar name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest way to search for accounts at a financial institution (including affiliates with similar names) is for the estate’s Personal Representative to make written, documented requests using proof…
What information does the funeral home need from me to release records about the funeral arrangements? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a funeral home will usually release funeral arrangement records only to someone with clear authority—most often the person who signed the funeral contract (the authorizing agent) or the estate’s court-appointed personal…
