How do I open an intestate estate in Gaston County, NC when the surviving spouse hasn’t initiated probate?

Does a long‑separated spouse without a finalized divorce still inherit under North Carolina intestacy law? Under North Carolina law, a spouse who remains legally married at the time of death qualifies as a “surviving spouse” regardless of how long the couple has lived apart. Separation alone — without a court‑ordered legal separation or divorce decree…

What steps must a personal representative take to sell decedent’s vehicles and account for the proceeds in North Carolina probate?

FAQ 1: How Can Co‑Heirs Resolve Disagreements Over Division of Personal Property in a North Carolina Probate Estate? Detailed Answer: When a decedent’s household items and personal property must pass to multiple heirs, the personal representative (PR) must collect, value, and distribute assets fairly. Under North Carolina law, heirs take equal shares unless the will…

How is an intestate heir’s real property interest handled if they die before probate concludes in North Carolina?

What happens to inherited real property if an intestate heir dies before probate ends in North Carolina? In North Carolina, when someone dies without a will (intestate), Chapter 29 of the North Carolina General Statutes sets out who inherits. If an heir who qualified at the time of the decedent’s death then dies before the estate’s…

How should a personal representative in Wake County handle a decedent’s corporate debts and potential business bankruptcy?

How can a personal representative navigate corporate debts and potential bankruptcy for a decedent’s business in Wake County, NC? When a decedent owns a North Carolina corporation, the personal representative (PR) must treat the business as an estate asset. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A‑13‑2, all property held in the decedent’s name—including corporate stock and officer…

What steps must a guardian take to claim and track a minor’s estate distribution check in North Carolina?

How Can a Guardian Receive an Estate Distribution Check on Behalf of a Minor Beneficiary in North Carolina? Under North Carolina law, a minor cannot directly negotiate a probate distribution check. A parent or court‐appointed guardian steps in to receive and manage those funds. In counties like Wake County, the attorney writing the check will…

How can a surviving spouse protect assets from creditors in an insolvent North Carolina probate estate?

FAQ: How can a surviving spouse protect assets in an insolvent North Carolina probate estate? When a spouse dies leaving more debts than assets, North Carolina law grants the surviving spouse a “one‑year allowance” (sometimes called a spousal allowance) to shield personal property from creditors. Under N.C.G.S. §28A‑19‑2 and §28A‑19‑3, a surviving spouse may claim…

How do parents inherit equally and serve as personal representative when an adult child dies intestate in Wake County, NC?

Q1: How Does Intestate Succession Work for Parents When an Adult Child Dies Without a Will in Wake County, NC? If your adult child dies without a valid will in North Carolina, state law determines who inherits. Under the Intestate Succession Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 29‑14(b)(2)), when there is no surviving spouse or descendants of…