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North Carolina Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: An executor had a check written to them for the estate and he deposited it into the estate. Is the legal?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 4, 2023

In North Carolina, an executor is responsible for managing the assets of the estate and ensuring that the estate's debts are paid, and the remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will or state law.

It is generally not appropriate for an executor to write...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My husband passed away with a lot of credit card debt and medical debt. Am I responsible to pay off that debt?

I was not on any of the credit accounts, nor did I sign anything for the medical procedures. There is no estate. House was in both our names.

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jul 26, 2023

I highly advise you to hire an attorney and have them assist you in probating the estate. The credit card debt can likely be wiped out by opening the estate. The medical debt will unfortunately likely follow you since spouses are normally liable for the medical debts incurred by their spouse.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: when someone dies what does the estate of mean

who is the representative of the estate. if no one was appointed in a will or POA

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jul 12, 2023

The POA is void upon death, and the will is what controls who the clerk chooses to appoint. It is ultimately up to the clerk, but they almost always follow the will.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for North Carolina on
Q: Is the Lady Bird deed still recommended in NC and is title insurance a problem?

Primary interest is nursing home protection

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jul 12, 2023

It is one of the ways to protect the home from Medicaid claims currently. Without a more detailed consultation, I cannot recommend it over any of the other methods.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: My sister bought a house. The debt will outlive her. Is her son responsible for her debts when she dies?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jul 10, 2023

Your nephew will not be personally liable for the mortgage when your sister passes. However, if the lender stops receiving payments, the lender will have the right to foreclose.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: My stepfather didn't put the house in a trust. Do I inherit the house even if the stepsister never lived here?

I'm in North Carolina, and the state only recognizes biological and adopted children unless otherwise noted on a will or trust. My stepfather's daughter lives out of state and has never lived here. The only time she ever visited was to ask for money. I find it worrisome that the... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jul 5, 2023

Take all the documents to a local lawyer and get their opinion. This question cannot be answered without a full understanding of all the facts and a review of the documents.

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: How can I find out if I am the beneficiary of any lost wills or inheritance from family members who have passed

I was told that they was once told that my dad or his dad had left me something in will but was never contacted also I believe I may of been beneficiary of inheritance but believe it was kept from me and possibly taken, how can I find out when I have little information to go on..?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 20, 2023

If your Father died without a Will being Probated and owning land, then you as an heir had some interest. But taxes have to be paid, as well as notes, and if not, the land is lost. Check in your Father's County to see if there was a Probate proceeding, and the property tax records.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: I am the Executor of my late sisters estate. She has a small home and a car. Her roommate refuses to leave the house

The roommate will not give me the keys or access to the house or car. He states he has a holographic will but will not give me a copy. I filed a Small Claims to make him leave and sent him a demand eviction letter. He refuses to leave. He is a career criminal out of jail on a secured bond.

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jun 16, 2023

Unless the roommate is able to provide proof that satisfies the court of his ownership, the small claims eviction should be sufficient to remove the roommate.

But until he actually tries to challenge your probate authority, ignore his claim of the will. Make him prove that he has a valid...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: How much are services fees for filing inventory for decedents estate late?
Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jun 6, 2023

There are no late fees, the fee is 4 cents for every $10 in assets of the estate. I would generally advise to ask the clerk to tell you how much you owe.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: How does a grantor of a living trust who is of sound mind but declining health transfer control to a successor trustee?

About 10 years ago my 85 year old widowed aunt created a living trust for her special needs granddaughter. My aunt is of sound mind, but her physical health is now declining. She wants to transfer control of the trust to the successor trustee. How does she do this, and does she need to retain an... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on May 30, 2023

It depends on the trust document. Each trust has its own methods of changing trustees. The document should detail the process for transferring the trusteeship to a new party somewhere.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: How to transfer title of house
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 16, 2023

Hire a NC lawyer to draft a Deed for execution and recordation.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: Can I override my status of being a beneficiary of an account, if I am also the executor of the estate?

If I am a beneficiary on an IRA but also the executor of the estate with a will that wants everything split 3 ways, will I be able to direct the IRA asset holder to disburse to the 3 people in the will (myself and two siblings) instead of just the beneficiary (me)? Thank you

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on May 8, 2023

Not likely the financial institution will all but certainly follow the beneficiary designation. However, you can make a personal gift if you want to after the distribution.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: I had (2) 1/2 siblings that died (mom). Their uncle died (dad) and they were the ONLY next of kin. Am I an heir?

Their uncle was the end of the line for that entire family tree. Our mom and their dad are dead. It's really sad. I was actually contacted by someone executing the estate looking for other relatives. There are probably very distant cousins (like shared a common great-great grandparent), but... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 25, 2023

Determining Heirship can be extremely difficult. Sometimes it is best to attempt to include any suspected heirs as parties, then sue unknown parties to Quiet Title to certain properties via publication notice. Hire a very competent NC attorney to represent you against whoever is trying to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Do I have to use the surplus funds check from my deceased dad's house to pay any debts?

He passed away in 2021, the house went into foreclosure last year, and then they auctioned it off, and that was the last I heard about it until I was just contacted about there being surplus funds from the sale.

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Apr 14, 2023

Excess funds from the sale belong to his estate. The reason why you were notified that the Clerk is holding excess funds is because there was likely a second mortgage, home equity line of credit, judgment lien, or tax lien (often more than one of these) that remains unpaid. You should contact a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Family Law and Wrongful Death for North Carolina on
Q: Who do I contact about a fake will a sibling is trying to use after the death of their brother abs mother
N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 9, 2023

You might start by contacting an attorney who handles estate/probate law.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: The state ALE served me with nuisance papers what do i do what they are accusing isnt true

they are saying we committed a act of nuisance under chapter 19. they are wanting us to move my fiancee is to never return or live on the property and im allowed only 3 hours a day and cannot return for 10 years. they are tyring to say my dad cant rent his trailers for a year an then it has to go... View More

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 1, 2023

Your issue could either be somewhat simple or somewhat complex, but it's difficult to tell from the information provided. For example, it isn't clear who owns "the property," what the "event" was, and why ALE was involved. To be able to help determine your potential... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Another question regarding about my brother passing with a will. So his daughter is entitled to everything not us?

He's daughter 16. So we couldn't get nor even his clothes?

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Feb 1, 2023

Since your brother did not leave a will, his daughter is his only heir. The clothes are of little monetary value, but it is up to the administrator of his estate to decide how to pay any remaining debts of the estate. You should have a quick consultation with a probate lawyer to determine what to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: My Mother's will has 2 deceased children listed. Who is to be listed on the probate form other than the survivors.

I'm the executor and just need to know because she only stated in her will that the sale of home be divided among the children and no one else was listed.

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jan 13, 2023

Normally the interest of your deceased siblings would pass to their children. However, in order to verify that, I would have to review the will and make sure it didn't specify a method for determining the heirs.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Child Support and Collections for North Carolina on
Q: A creditor has a summary judgement against me. I had a lawyer look over exemption paperwork. What's next?

I live in NC. House is fully protected by TBE. All assets are 100% fully protected. No wage garnishment in NC and I cash my paper check at a check cashing business. I deal in cash only. I have no bank account. I tried to negotiate with them before they sued and because they didn't work with... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Nov 13, 2022

If the judgment is accruing post judgment interest, you may wish to consider filing bankruptcy or settling rather than waiting it out. Judgments are good for 10 years and are easily renewed for another 10 years. Your only dangers in waiting them out is that your assets may appreciate and become not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: My daughter passed away and left me inheritance the lawyers are stealing the property selling my property

And living in my daughter's house it took them 5 years to locate me to tell me that I left as beneficiary

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 4, 2022

You may be the sole Heir, and if so, own any real property She had at death. But taxes and debts have to be paid, or the property is lost. Hire a competent NC attorney to search the Title and determine Heirship immediately.

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