Washington, DC asked in Probate for North Carolina

Q: Who is responsible for paying a mortgage on a house wrapped up in an estate in NC? The estate is in probate.

The house in question is in Washington DC. The probate was first filed in North Carolina, since the deceased's primary residence was in NC. The executor is not paying the mortgage even though there are significant cash assets in the estate. Is the estate responsible for paying the mortgage or are the beneficiaries who are due to inherit the house? The house is about to go into foreclosure.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: The beneficiaries are not liable on the note, but take property subject to the note and mortgage/deed of trust. Beneficiaries should file a motion to remove the executor for cause which is detrimental to the Estate. Will may give him discretion on what bills to pay however. Any beneficiary might pay on note, taxes and insurance, but foreclosure will result if not paid currently. A motion for beneficiaries to immediately take the Will devise out of Estate assets might work if no large claims are made against the Estate. Foreclosure is against the Decedent.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.