Can an executor deduct the value of estate items left on my property from my inheritance even if those items weren’t properly inventoried or valued? nc

Probate Q&A Series

Can an executor deduct the value of estate items left on my property from my inheritance even if those items weren’t properly inventoried or valued? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a personal representative (executor) generally should not “just deduct” a number from an heir’s inheritance for estate personal property without properly identifying…

Can probate of a will create or change anyone’s interest in real property that the deceased owned? nc

Estate Planning Q&A Series, Probate Q&A Series

Can probate of a will create or change anyone’s interest in real property that the deceased owned? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, probate generally does not “create” new real-estate rights out of thin air. Instead, probate is the court process that validates the will so the will can be used to pass…

How do we transfer a house title when both spouses are listed but it doesn’t clearly say it passes automatically to the surviving spouse? nc

Probate Q&A Series

How do we transfer a house title when both spouses are listed but it doesn’t clearly say it passes automatically to the surviving spouse? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the first step is to confirm how the home was owned on the deed. Many married couples own real estate as tenants by…

What happens to my inheritance if I challenge the executor’s actions but do not contest the will itself? nc

Probate Q&A Series

What happens to my inheritance if I challenge the executor’s actions but do not contest the will itself? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, challenging an executor’s actions (like a planned sale of estate property) usually does not forfeit an inheritance by itself, because it is different from contesting the will. The inheritance…