What can I do if someone went into the house after the death and took titles, valuables, or family heirlooms before probate started? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the fastest path is usually to get an estate opened (or confirm one is already open) so a personal representative can demand the property…
What happens to the estate administration if the executor is removed, and who takes over? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if the Clerk of Superior Court removes an executor (also called a “personal representative”), the estate does not end. The executor’s authority stops, and the Clerk appoints a successor to keep the…
How do I put the personal representative on notice that I’m disputing missing property and questionable sales in the estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the cleanest way to put a personal representative on formal notice is usually to file an estate proceeding with the Clerk of Superior Court handling the estate…
How can I find out what assets and debts are part of a parent’s estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the person in charge of the estate (the “personal representative”) must identify, gather, and list the parent’s probate assets and known debts as part of the estate administration. The most direct way…
Is there any way to avoid or reduce the probate bond requirement for an out-of-state administrator if all the heirs agree? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no. In a North Carolina intestate estate (no will), heirs can sign waivers to let the Clerk of Superior Court qualify an administrator without bond only when the…
What rights do remainder beneficiaries have if the life tenant sells their life-estate interest to someone else? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a life tenant can generally sell or transfer only the life-estate interest they own, not the remainder. That means the buyer typically steps into the life tenant’s shoes and can…
How do I find a death certificate or official proof that my parent’s sibling died if the family doesn’t have any paperwork? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the most direct way to prove a parent’s sibling (an aunt or uncle) died is to request a certified death certificate from the Register of…
What is the difference between a small estate process and a full probate case when the estate is basically just sale proceeds? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a “small estate” process is usually an affidavit-based shortcut that lets a qualified person collect and distribute personal property (often cash) without opening a full…
What are the next steps after I’m officially appointed as the administrator of a parent’s estate? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, once a Clerk of Superior Court appoints an administrator and issues Letters of Administration, the administrator’s next steps usually include securing estate property, opening an estate bank account, collecting date-of-death account…
If I co-owned inherited vehicles with my relative and my relative died, do I automatically get full ownership or do I have to buy out the estate or other beneficiaries? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, it depends on how the vehicles are titled. If the title shows co-ownership with right of survivorship,…
