Explore our informative articles, insights, and updates focused on North Carolina Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Partition Actions, and Surplus Fund cases. Our goal is to make these complex topics accessible, offering you guidance and understanding at each step of the legal process. Whether you’re looking to navigate probate administration, protect your assets through careful planning, understand partition actions, or resolve issues with surplus funds, our articles are designed to empower you with practical advice, legal insights, and actionable steps. Stay informed and feel confident as you make decisions about your estate and legal matters.
How do I prevent the court from appointing a temporary guardian against my mother’s wishes? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a court can appoint a temporary (called “interim”) guardian only if there is reasonable cause to believe your mother is incompetent, there is an immediate risk of harm to her person or…
How can I get court approval to sell a house inherited by my minor child in North Carolina? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a guardian of the estate must file a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court to sell a minor’s real estate and show the sale is necessary or will…
What is required to petition the court and appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor’s property sale? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a minor’s real estate interest cannot be sold without court approval. The child’s general guardian or guardian of the estate files a special proceeding with the Clerk of Superior…
What documents and forms must be included in a petition to authorize the sale of a minor’s property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a guardian of the estate must file a verified petition with the Clerk of Superior Court seeking an order to sell the minor’s real property. The petition should include…
What steps can I take to prevent an administrator from selling estate property before probate is complete? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an administrator generally cannot sell estate real estate without either a probated will that grants sale authority or a court order in a special proceeding. To prevent a premature sale,…
Can I use a filed copy of [DECEDENT]’s will to open probate if the original is unavailable? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes—North Carolina allows the Clerk of Superior Court to admit a copy of a will if you prove a “lost or destroyed will” by clear, strong, and convincing evidence. You must show the…
What happens if the original will remains missing and the copy is disputed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can ask the Clerk of Superior Court to compel anyone holding the original will to produce it. If the original cannot be found, a copy may be probated as a “lost will,” but…
How can I compel the administrator to produce the original will before any property sales? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can file an application by affidavit with the Clerk of Superior Court to require the person holding the will to produce the original. The Clerk issues a summons ordering production by…
What documents do I need to open and maintain a separate probate bank account? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, an estate checking account requires your certified Letters of Administration, the estate’s federal EIN (not the decedent’s SSN), and your government ID; many banks also ask for a death certificate and a completed…
How do I inventory unclaimed property held by the U.S. Treasury for the estate or related corporation? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the administrator must file an inventory within three months of qualification listing all estate assets as of the decedent’s date of death. If the U.S. Treasury holds property titled to…
What should I do if essential estate administration forms were misplaced in court filings? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, contact the Clerk of Superior Court (Estates Division) to locate or correct the file, obtain certified copies of your Letters, and promptly refile any missing AOC estate forms. Keep the estate on schedule:…
Can I use my own EIN or the decedent’s SSN to satisfy the estate’s tax identification requirements? – North Carolina Short Answer No. In North Carolina, an estate is a separate taxpayer and needs its own Employer Identification Number (EIN). Do not use the decedent’s Social Security number or your personal EIN/SSN. Banks typically require…
What alternatives are available for paying for memory care if she doesn’t qualify for Medicaid? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if Medicaid is not available, families typically combine private pay (income and savings) with home equity (selling or renting the home or using a reverse mortgage), family caregiving contracts, and any eligible…
How long is the Medicaid lookback period and how will it affect prior gifts or transfers? – North Carolina Short Answer North Carolina Medicaid uses a 60‑month (5‑year) lookback for long‑term care services. Any gifts or below‑market transfers by the applicant or spouse during that window can trigger a penalty period—time when Medicaid will not…
Can I move mom into my home and use in-home care services without disqualifying her from Medicaid? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes—under North Carolina Medicaid, you can move your mom into your home and still pursue Medicaid-funded in-home services if she meets financial and medical-need rules. Her primary residence can remain exempt while she…
What are the legal implications of deeding a portion of her property under a Lady Bird deed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a Lady Bird deed (an enhanced life estate deed) lets a homeowner keep full control of the property for life while naming who gets it at death, often avoiding probate.…
How can I structure my mother’s assets so she can qualify for Medicaid without losing her home? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a primary residence can be a noncountable asset for long-term care Medicaid if certain conditions are met, but the State may seek repayment from the estate after death. Planning options…
What steps are needed to amend a partition petition to add a guardian of the estate as a party? – North Carolina Short Answer File a motion to amend and an amended partition petition with the Clerk of Superior Court adding the guardian of the estate as a respondent (or substituting them for the incapacitated…
Can a guardian of the person be appointed guardian of the estate to consent to selling the property on behalf of an incapacitated life tenant? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, only a guardian of the estate (or a general guardian) can manage an incompetent adult’s property and consent to a real…
How can I move forward with a partition when one co-owner holds a life estate and is incapacitated? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can pursue a partition even when a co-owner is a life tenant who is incapacitated, but that person must be properly represented (by a guardian of the estate…