How do I transfer a vehicle title if the owner signed it before passing away but it wasn’t notarized? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the DMV generally will not accept a signed-over title unless the seller’s assignment was completed in front of a notary (or done through an approved electronic notarization process).…
Can the bank take possession of my house before the foreclosure hearing happens? – North Carolina Short Answer In most North Carolina foreclosures, the bank cannot take possession of the home before the foreclosure hearing. The hearing (usually before the Clerk of Superior Court) is part of the process that determines whether the foreclosure can…
What options do I have to challenge or pause a foreclosure if I think the process was handled incorrectly? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, most home foreclosures happen through a “power of sale” process that starts with a hearing before the Clerk of Superior Court. If the process was handled incorrectly, common…
Can I still sell my home or work out an agreement with the lender after a foreclosure case has already started? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a homeowner can often still sell the home or negotiate a workout (like a repayment plan, forbearance, or loan modification) after a foreclosure case starts,…
Do we need a new deed drafted, or can an existing deed be updated to add or change the owner? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, changing ownership is usually done by signing and recording a new deed rather than “updating” an old recorded deed. A recorded deed generally cannot be edited to…
How can I sell my house quickly if I’m behind on property taxes? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a house can usually be sold even when property taxes are delinquent, but the taxes (plus interest, penalties, and costs) typically must be paid at or before closing so the buyer receives clear title.…
Do I need a separate agreement or court order before recording a quitclaim deed from my former spouse? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no. In North Carolina, a properly drafted quitclaim deed signed by the former spouse and properly acknowledged (typically notarized) can be recorded with the county Register of Deeds without a separate…
How do I use a quitclaim deed to put the home only in my name after a divorce? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a quitclaim deed can transfer a former spouse’s ownership interest in the home to the other former spouse, but it only works if it is properly signed, notarized, and…
Can I undo or challenge the property transfer if the buyer didn’t pay what was agreed? – North Carolina Short Answer Sometimes, but not automatically. In North Carolina, once a deed is signed, delivered, and recorded, title usually transfers even if the buyer later fails to pay. The usual remedies are a lawsuit to enforce…
What risks should I watch for when buying a property that has a deed of trust connected to a deceased owner? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the biggest risks are (1) buying from someone who does not actually have authority to convey title after the owner’s death and (2) assuming a deed…
