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North Carolina Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: As power of Attorney for a relative who cannot handle her deceased son’s estate, can I name a family member executor?

I have POA over his next of kin, his mother, I need to name a family member executor.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 10, 2022

A person nominates an executor for his or her eventual estate in his or her will. An agent acting under a power of attorney does NOT have the authority to make or amend a will for the principal so, no, you cannot "name" an executor for another person.

Also, understand that a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: Moms estate she passed . In nc do I have to have an estate account opened to pay off mtg

Also what can I do to have funds of proceeds to where I can use for other living arrangements without hurting my disability benefits? With times now can’t afford to loose them. It is in probate now I am the administrator.

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Dec 9, 2021

You have touched on multiple different topics that would need specific information from you to answer. My advice is to find a local estate planning attorney and talk to them so that they can provide you with a more complete answer that this board could not.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I’m in need of a lawyer that handles family estates, but I’m unsure of what type of lawyer I would need please advise?
Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Dec 6, 2021

Any lawyer can assist with an estate, however, I would advise hiring one that specializes in estate planning/probate.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: I am an Executrix over my brother’s will but he resided in Virginia and I live here in North Carolina.

How do I decline Executrix because of my health and the will was done in 1998. At the time his daughter was a minor but she is an adult and her name is on the will as well. My oldest sister was the actual Executrix but she passed away and then I was next. What do I need to do to decline being... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Nov 29, 2021

You will likely have to post this question in the Virginia section of this site to get an answer. While some attorneys here may be authorized to practice law in both states most are NC only.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: How do we handle creditors who want the inventory information in order to settle accounts for less than 50%?

We have about 23,000 in the estate account to pay creditors. We are not selling the house willed to us because my husband and I live their with our kids. There is about 53,000 worth of debt. Medical, 1 credit card, and 2 home improvement loans. Some of the creditors wants a debt to asset ratio in... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Nov 15, 2021

This sounds like a very technical question that I couldn't answer without seeing all of the paperwork. My advice is that you get all the paperwork in front of an attorney and let them advise you more completely.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Civil Rights for North Carolina on
Q: My grandfather wanted me to have his truck when he past away. And now my grandmother will not give it to me.

He called me to his house about two months before he past away. My grandmother was in the same room in heard the conversation. He wrote out a letter in everything explaining where the truck goes to. So when he past away she put the title in her name, and will not let me have it knowing where her... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Nov 15, 2021

Unfortunately what you are describing is a gift and a gift is not complete until you receive it. Since the title was never transferred over to you you never received the gift. If there are no other facts this is how a court would view this matter.

If your grandfather had left it to you in...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: Divorced 2 years ago, wife awarded home in divorce -she never took the house out of my name-she died…no will. Is it stil
Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Oct 21, 2021

Without seeing the divorce decree and your deed I cannot give specific advice. You and your ex-wife likely owned the land in tenancy by the entireties in the deed. And when the divorce was finalized that was automatically converted into tenants in common. So you may be a 50% owner of the property... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: My husband has a life estate in the house we are living in. We recently married. If he dies what rights do I have?

Would having a lease agreement between us make it possible for me to remain here for the period of time of the agreement? My concern is being asked to move immediately.

A. Jase Allen
A. Jase Allen
answered on Oct 10, 2021

A life estate means he has rights during his lifetime. If he were to pass away, you don't have a life estate too. You may want to get a written agreement with the home owner, like an option to enter into a lease agreement if your husband dies.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: What is the best way to handle a home that needs major repairs in an estate?

My father died 08/2018. He left behind a home that was not well taken care of. He owed money on it, and i paid what i could on it from his bank account, but once that ran out, my sister and I paid it off. We have not tried to sell previously because our disabled brother was living there and had... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Sep 29, 2021

It sounds like you and your siblings can agree to sell the house and divide the profits from the sale as you see fit. My guess is also that your role as executor has been completed but I do not know that for certain.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: My ex-husband wants me to be executor of his will. Will he need to add a special amendment to his will?
Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Sep 27, 2021

No, you can name anyone you choose to be your executor, it may be slightly out of the ordinary. However, your situation must be much better than many others.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: If owner of a real estate property in NC lives in India . How the property owner can sell the property from India?
Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Sep 1, 2021

The simplest method would be using a limited power of attorney authorizing someone local to sell the property in their name.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: First cousin died intestate.I responded.Lawyer wants response stricken cause I'm adopted child of uncle

1st cousin (child of her uncle)

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Aug 2, 2021

If they legally adopted you, you are treated no differently than a biological member of the family under the law. Whether or not you have any rights to your cousin's estate is a separate matter and would turn on how many surviving family members your cousin had.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: First cousin died intestate I responded.I was listed as intestate heir, a lawyer wants to strike cause adopted

In NC I am adopted 1st cousin

Charles Evan Lohr
Charles Evan Lohr
answered on Aug 2, 2021

I would need to see the petition filed by the lawyer to give you a worthwhile opinion. Feel free to contact me.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Patents (Intellectual Property) for North Carolina on
Q: My Father passed,how do I find out if there’s anything in he’s estate for my sister and I. Thank you
Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jul 20, 2021

This question was presented to attorneys that work on patents (inventions). There is not a legal category for pa r ents.

You may want post this as a probate question as it may be possible that your father did not do estate planning and the default rules will be applied.

This is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Contracts, Copyright and Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: How do I obtain info about my sole proprietorship
Theodore David Vicknair Sr.
Theodore David Vicknair Sr.
answered on Jul 19, 2021

This is a hard question to understand. Do you currently have a sole proprietorship? Or will it be a new one? Nothing is required to establish a sole proprietorship. Your income is reported on Form 1040, Schedule C or C-EZ. You should be running all income through a separate bank account to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: $83k value intestate estate, $23k to lawyer. Clerk of Court requested lawyer petition for fees. Why is this being done?

Closing out estate after almost 2 years. The overall estate value is $83k with $23k going to the lawyer. Now Clerk of Court is requesting lawyer petition the court for fees. I am supposed to sign a document agreeing to this. Why am I being asked to do this? Is this normal? Is Clerk questioning the... View More

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jun 22, 2021

Some Clerks across the state require that lawyers petition to get fees paid, others view it as an issue between the executor and the lawyer. This sounds like an example of the first issue, and you have to comply with the Clerk's wishes.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning, Estate Planning and Probate for North Carolina on
Q: Person leaves land to 2 people. 1 of the people die and its inherited. Can 1 sign it to someone w/o both party's consent

My grandma left land in her will to my mother and her uncle. My mother died before I was 18 and left her portion to me. Someone got my uncle to transfer his name off the deed to them. They then filed it with the clerk and is now on the deed with me.. Is this legal? To be considered my uncle was... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 15, 2021

It appears that you are legally a tenant in common of a one half undivided interest with the others as tenants in common of equal interests adding up to one half. But was GrandMother's Will Probated? If not, then it had no effect, and her heirs own the property. Hire a competent attorney... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for North Carolina on
Q: What happens in NC when a life estate holder outlives the remainder man listed on the life estate deed?

My grandmother and my father are listed on a life estate deed. The land in the life estate was to go to my father upon her death, but she outlived him. He died without a will. What happens to the land in the life estate since he died before her? He has a wife and 2 sons. His mother is still living.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jun 4, 2021

The remainder interest is a part of your father’s probate estate. A probate case is needed to pass it to his heirs. Who inherits depends on whether or not he made a will and what his will said.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for North Carolina on
Q: My stepdad died last year, he did not have a will. Can his two sons taker her to court and sue her?

He left her the money and the cars. One son took her to court already, can he do it again? Also, the middle son is threatening to taker her to court as well. What can she do?

Ben Corcoran
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Ben Corcoran
answered on Jun 2, 2021

Without seeing the bank account information and car titles I can't guess as to the ultimate outcome of the suits, but you can sue anyone for anything. I am guessing that the bank accounts were joint with right of survivorship accounts and if so then they pass outside of the estate, the car is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for North Carolina on
Q: My friend just died, her husband is deceased, she has 2 daughters. 1 is 20, 1 is 16. Are they over her estate now

I'm asking you this because their aunt and grandma are trying to take over everything. Can they do that?

Charles Evan Lohr
Charles Evan Lohr
answered on May 21, 2021

It depends on if your friend had a will. If there is a will, that will dictate who can handle the estate and who the property should go to. If there is not, then the children would be entitled to the property and the 20 year old would have priority to administer the estate. Please feel free to... View More

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