News and Articles

What can I do if the personal representative sends me a payment without explaining how he calculated my share of the estate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a personal representative must file sworn inventories and detailed annual/final accounts that show receipts, expenses, and distributions with supporting vouchers. If you received money without…

What documentation is required to prove I’m the next of kin and qualify as administrator in a reopened estate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, when an estate is reopened, you prove next-of-kin status and qualify as administrator with: (1) a petition to reopen showing proper cause, (2) evidence of death, (3) proof…

What steps do I need to take when the original estate administrator has died before completing the probate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if the sole personal representative (executor or administrator) dies, the clerk of superior court appoints a successor to finish the estate. In an intestate estate, that successor is an…

How can I reopen my father’s closed estate in North Carolina so I can be appointed as administrator? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you ask the Clerk of Superior Court in the original estate county to reopen the estate by filing a petition showing good cause, such as newly discovered assets or…

How long does it usually take to get an out-of-state will approved in North Carolina probate? — North Carolina Short Answer In a straightforward case, once you have the right documents, North Carolina clerks often admit an out-of-state will within a few days to two weeks. The longest delay is usually gathering certified or exemplified…

What happens if the survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago and I have no interest? — North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina partition law, only current co-owners (cotenants) can file for partition. If a title check or survey shows the property left your mother’s estate decades ago…

How do I prepare for a partition hearing when a co-owner changes their mind about selling the property? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, partition cases are special proceedings before the clerk of superior court under Chapter 46A. The court prefers an in‑kind split (dividing the land) unless a party proves a sale…

How do I deal with a family member contesting or blocking the release of my inherited assets during probate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, if a relative formally contests the will (files a caveat) or raises a dispute in the estate, distributions usually pause until the court resolves it. During a caveat,…

Can I sue my late father’s power of attorney for abusing her authority and withholding my inheritance after probate in North Carolina? Short Answer Yes—if your father’s agent (power of attorney) misused his money before he died, North Carolina law allows claims to recover those assets. Usually, the estate’s personal representative brings the case in…

How can I probate a foreign will in North Carolina if it wasn’t notarized? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a will does not have to be notarized to be valid. If a will was signed in another state or country and wasn’t notarized, you can still probate it here by showing it…

What do I need to file a translated death certificate with the court to start probate? — North Carolina Short Answer North Carolina clerks need reliable proof of death to open an estate. A certified or otherwise authenticated death certificate from the place of death is acceptable—even if issued by a foreign government—along with an…

How can I get information on my sibling’s frozen bank and investment accounts during probate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, banks and brokerages will release detailed information about a decedent’s accounts only to the court‑appointed personal representative (executor or administrator) or to someone with a qualifying court authorization. If you are not…

How do I validate a will under the solemn probate process without tracking down witnesses? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you can file a petition to probate a will in solemn form, which gives notice to all interested parties and results in a binding decision. If the will is “self‑proved” under state…

What can I do if my co-owner still demands a buyout or threatens partition, and how can I avoid or delay a partition lawsuit? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, any co-owner of real estate can file a partition proceeding to split the property or force a sale. You can often avoid or…

Can I elect a life estate in our real property as a surviving spouse, and how would that impact a potential partition action by my co-owner? — North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a surviving spouse may elect a statutory life estate in one-third of the decedent’s real estate owned during the marriage—or…

How can I protect personal property like vehicles and trailers using a spousal allowance as a surviving spouse? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a surviving spouse can claim up to $60,000 of the decedent’s personal property as a “year’s allowance,” which can include vehicles and titled trailers. Once the clerk assigns items…

What is a year’s allowance and how does it protect assets from creditors? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a year’s allowance lets a surviving spouse receive up to $60,000 of the decedent’s personal property and each qualifying child (under 21) receive $10,000 for support for one year. These allowances are carved out…

Do I need the court’s approval or my mother’s guardian’s signature to sell the home when she has a life estate? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you cannot sell full ownership of a home burdened by a life estate unless the life tenant (your mother) and all remainder owners sign the deed.…

Can I appoint just my brother as the sole beneficiary in my will? — North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, you may leave everything to your brother if your will is valid. However, if you are married when you die, your spouse can claim a statutory elective share and a year’s allowance, which…

What steps do I need to set a hearing to sell our inherited family home if we can’t agree? — North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you start a partition special proceeding with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located and properly serve all co-owners. After service and…