Do I need probate if a pension payout goes to the estate? | NC

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Q: If the pension payout goes into the estate instead of to a beneficiary, do I need to open probate to receive and distribute it? A: Usually, yes—because when a pension death benefit is payable to the estate, or to the decedent’s legal representative, the plan will typically require a court-appointed personal representative before it will release the money. That normally means opening an estate…