How can a surviving spouse retitle and sell a deceased spouse’s vehicles in North Carolina under the year’s allowance?

How can a surviving spouse retitle and sell a deceased spouse’s vehicles in North Carolina under the year’s allowance? Detailed Answer North Carolina’s year’s allowance lets a surviving spouse set aside personal property, including motor vehicles, for support during the first year after a spouse’s death. To retitle and sell a deceased spouse’s car under…

Why must my probate attorney check for Medicaid eligibility before closing an estate?

Detailed Answer When you handle probate in North Carolina, you must determine whether the decedent received Medicaid benefits for long-term care or other covered medical services. Medicaid is a state-federal program administered through your local county department of social services. Under North Carolina law, the county department may file a claim against the estate to…

How are probate attorney fees calculated for estate administration in North Carolina?

How Are Probate Attorney Fees Calculated for Estate Administration in North Carolina? 1. Detailed Answer When someone passes away in North Carolina, the personal representative (formerly called executor) often hires an attorney to help administer the estate. North Carolina law allows attorneys to charge reasonable fees for probate work, but it also provides guidelines to…

How can heirs verify beneficiary designations on retirement and brokerage accounts after a loved one’s death in the State of North Carolina?

How can heirs verify beneficiary designations on retirement and brokerage accounts after a loved one’s death in the State of North Carolina? Detailed Answer Losing a loved one is stressful. Learning how their financial assets transfer adds complexity. In North Carolina, beneficiary designations on retirement plans and transfer-on-death brokerage accounts generally bypass probate and pass…