What documents should I gather before speaking with a new contact about my land or a possible title issue? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, priority and notice for land issues turn on what is recorded at the county Register of Deeds and what is filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Collect…
What is the difference between a general warranty deed and a quitclaim deed, and which should I use to transfer my property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a general warranty deed guarantees clear title against all claims, past and present, and obligates the seller to defend title. A quitclaim deed gives whatever…
What information and documents do I need to provide to prepare a general warranty deed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a general warranty deed must identify the parties, clearly describe the property, be signed by the grantor and properly notarized, and be recorded in the county where the land lies. The Register…
What can I do with the home during my lifetime, like live there, rent it out, or make improvements? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a life tenant may live in the home, exclude others, and collect ordinary rents and profits. A life tenant must pay routine expenses (like taxes, insurance, and ordinary…
Who pays taxes, insurance, and major repairs when someone has lifetime rights to a home? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a life tenant (the person with lifetime rights) generally pays the ongoing carrying costs: annual property taxes, hazard insurance for their occupancy, routine maintenance, and interest on any existing mortgage. The…
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…
