News and Articles

What steps should a personal representative take when opposing counsel accuses them of violating a standstill order and demands discovery? Detailed Answer When opposing counsel claims that a personal representative has breached a standstill order and demands discovery, the representative must act swiftly and deliberately. A standstill order—often issued by the court—temporarily halts certain actions…

How much bond is required for an out-of-state personal representative in intestate North Carolina probate? Understanding Bond Requirements in North Carolina Intestate Probate When someone dies without a will in North Carolina, the court appoints a personal representative to manage and distribute the estate. Before the clerk of superior court issues letters of administration, the…

How should late-arriving dividend checks for a decedent’s estate be handled under North Carolina probate procedures? 1. Detailed Answer When a dividend check arrives after you distribute an estate, North Carolina law treats it as an after-discovered asset. The personal representative must safeguard it, resolve any outstanding claims, and distribute the proceeds in the same…

What initial duties are required of a North Carolina estate administrator after qualification? When the clerk issues your letters testamentary or letters of administration, you step into an important role. You carry responsibility for identifying assets, protecting them and handling estate business. Missing a filing deadline or failing to notify creditors can delay distribution or…

How Can North Carolina Heirs Recover Mortgage, HELOC, and Utility Payments Made on Inherited North Carolina Property? Detailed Answer When a homeowner in North Carolina dies without leaving a valid will, real estate usually passes to heirs by intestacy under Chapter 29 of the North Carolina General Statutes. As soon as title vests in the…

Can service on the personal representative satisfy notice to all heirs instead of each beneficiary under North Carolina probate law? Detailed Answer Short Answer: No. Serving only the personal representative does not meet North Carolina’s notice requirements to heirs and beneficiaries. You must send individual notice to each person as specified in state law. When…

1. Detailed Answer When a loved one passes away, you may need to know if probate proceedings have started for their estate. In North Carolina, probate begins when someone files a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the decedent lived. Here’s how you can confirm whether Pierce Law Group opened…

Detailed Answer Reopening a probate case in Florida requires filing a petition in the Florida circuit court where the original probate occurred. Florida law grants the court authority to reopen and settle estates under specific circumstances. A North Carolina attorney may prepare your petition and gather supporting documents. However, to appear before a Florida court,…

What steps must heirs take to transfer title to an intestate inherited house in North Carolina? Answer When someone dies without a will in North Carolina, they die intestate. The law then decides who inherits their property, including any real estate. For heirs to transfer title to an intestate inherited house, they must open a…

How to Confirm an Estate’s Open Status and Access Probate Filings in North Carolina Detailed Answer In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court manages all probate cases, including estate administrations. To confirm whether an estate remains open, you must locate the estate’s probate docket. An “open” docket means the court still supervises the personal…

What are steps for a child to open an intestate estate and protect inheritance in North Carolina when spouse files only spousal allowance? Answer When a parent dies without a will in North Carolina, their estate passes under intestate succession rules (see G.S. 28A-6-2). As an heir at law, you can open the estate and…

How Beneficiary-Designated (POD/TOD) Accounts Bypass Probate in North Carolina 1. Detailed Answer When you name a beneficiary on a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) account, you create a nonprobate transfer. You hold legal title during your lifetime. When you die, the financial institution pays the funds directly to your named beneficiary. The account never becomes…

How to Probate a Lost Handwritten Will Under North Carolina’s Solemn‐Form Requirements Detailed Answer In North Carolina, formal (solemn‐form) wills must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two competent individuals who sign in the testator’s presence. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31-1.1. If you lose the original handwritten will, you can…

How to Sell Inherited Real Estate in North Carolina When a Co-Owner Refuses to Cooperate Detailed Answer When someone dies owning real estate in North Carolina, the property often passes to heirs or a personal representative. If multiple heirs inherit the property as tenants in common, each owns an undivided interest. One hold-out heir can…

North Carolina Probate Lawyer: Selling Inherited Real Property With Confidence Inherited land often represents a family’s largest asset, yet state probate rules limit how soon heirs may convert that property to cash. The balance between creditor protection and market flexibility confuses many families. This in-depth guide from a North Carolina probate lawyer explains when heirs…

North Carolina Probate Lawyer: Judicial Sales Act Roadmap for Selling Estate Property Quick highlight: When an executor cannot sell estate real estate by agreement, North Carolina’s Judicial Sales Act offers a structured, court-supervised process that safeguards heirs and creditors while securing fair market value. Understanding the Judicial Sales Act North Carolina allows personal representatives to…

North Carolina Probate Lawyer: Navigating Real Property Sales and Simplified Estate Transfers Administering an estate in North Carolina often involves more than collecting bank accounts and personal effects. Real property—land, houses, family farms—can complicate matters when debts linger or heirs disagree. A seasoned North Carolina probate lawyer helps personal representatives resolve these issues by guiding…

What steps are required to open and administer a decedent’s estate in North Carolina? Detailed Answer When someone passes away in North Carolina, handling their assets and debts involves a legal process called probate administration. Probate ensures that debts are paid and assets pass to the right heirs or beneficiaries. Here is how you can…

How can a personal representative in North Carolina file a police report and recover a missing estate vehicle? Answer: Steps for Filing a Police Report and Recovering an Estate Vehicle As a personal representative (PR) in North Carolina, you have the legal duty and authority to protect estate property. When a vehicle belonging to the…

What steps are needed to probate and list a house with a reverse mortgage in North Carolina before lender foreclosure? Probating a home with a reverse mortgage can feel urgent when the lender threatens foreclosure. In North Carolina, you must settle the estate, secure authority to sell real property, and clear the reverse mortgage lien.…