What happens if the land was sold or transferred without notice to the family, and is there any way to challenge it? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, most estate-related sales of a decedent’s real property require a court process where heirs or devisees are made parties and properly served before the Clerk…
Can I claim or clear title to inherited land if the chain of title is unclear and transfers happened within the family? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, title to real property passes to heirs or devisees at death, but unrecorded family transfers can leave gaps. Clearing title typically involves determining the…
How can I trace ownership of family land from an old deed reference when online records don’t go back that far? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the official property record is at the county Register of Deeds, and older deeds are found in bound index books and microfilm—not just online. Build a…
How do I find out whether a deceased relative’s estate was ever probated and whether this property was included? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, estates are opened with the Clerk of Superior Court in the decedent’s county of domicile. Estate files are public. Ask the Estates Division for the estate file to…
What documents should I gather to help a real estate attorney perform a complete historical title search? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the most helpful items are the latest deed, prior deeds or a prior title policy (with schedules), recorded plats or surveys, loan payoff information and recorded deeds of trust, any…
What happens if a creditor won’t respond in time to provide a payoff statement for escrow? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a closing/settlement attorney (often acting as a “satisfaction agent”) can request a written payoff from a secured creditor and, after payoff, ensure the lien is cleared even if the creditor…
How do I ensure proceeds from my home sale cover my outstanding credit card debt? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, closing attorneys must pay recorded liens (like mortgages, taxes, and docketed judgments) from sale proceeds. A credit card balance is unsecured unless the creditor has a court judgment docketed in the county…
How long should I expect to wait for formal contract documentation after an offer is accepted? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a residential sale is not binding until there is a written contract signed by the buyer and all sellers. Verbal acceptance does not create an enforceable agreement. There is no…
What should I do if I haven’t received written confirmation of an accepted offer? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a home sale is not binding until the offer and acceptance are in writing and signed by the parties. Oral acceptance or a verbal “we accepted” does not create an enforceable contract for…
What steps can I take to ensure the sale closes smoothly with a local buyer? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the sale of real estate requires a written contract signed by all owners. Next, deliver the required residential disclosures, choose a closing attorney to serve as settlement agent, clear title and payoffs,…