How can I confirm whether there are two mortgages or other liens on the house and who the lenders are? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, most mortgages and many other liens show up in public records kept by the county Register of Deeds and the Clerk of Superior Court. Confirming whether there…
Can I rely on a recorded plat to confirm the exact location of a specific lot, or do I need a new survey to be sure? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a recorded plat is an important legal description reference, but it usually does not prove the exact on-the-ground location of a…
What is the best way to identify, find, and notify all potential heirs when the family tree spans several generations and multiple counties? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the most reliable approach is to build a documented family tree first, then use a structured search plan to locate living descendants, and finally…
How do I check whether an estate was ever opened for my relative in the county where they lived? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court handles probate and keeps an indexed estate file list that is generally open for public inspection. To check whether an estate was opened,…
Can I bring a partition action to force a sale or division if co1owners won1t cooperate and one person has lifetime rights to the house? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a co-owner can file a partition case when other co-owners refuse to cooperate, and the court can order either a physical…
What is the step‑by‑step sequence for quiet title and probate when land has been in the family for a long time? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, title issues on long-held family land are usually handled in two stages: first, clean up who legally owns the property (often by probate or heirship…
How can I be appointed executor for an ancestor’s estate when everyone named in the will has passed away? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, when all named executors and primary beneficiaries in a will have died, an interested heir or creditor can ask the clerk of superior court to open the estate…
How can I find out exactly what real estate my parent and late relative owned and whether it is still in the family’s name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the only reliable way to confirm what real estate a deceased parent or relative owned, and who owns it now, is to trace…
If we want to view or sell any remaining property, what steps are needed to clear title when former owners are deceased? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, clearing title on real estate owned by deceased persons usually requires (1) confirming what property they owned, (2) determining who inherited it, (3) resolving…
What happens to a home sale or transfer if a second mortgage shows up during the title search? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if a previously unknown second mortgage or deed of trust appears in the title search, the closing attorney and settlement agent generally cannot complete the sale or transfer until…
