Estate, Trust & Probate Blog
While estate administration after the death of a loved one is not something to look forward to, it may be required in most instances. A comprehensive estate plan helps to protect the wishes of the decedent, streamline the administration of the decedent’s estate and protect the rights of beneficiaries. In North Carolina, as is in other states, a decedent’s estate must be properly administered before being transferred to the new owners. What is Probate and is it Necessary in North Carolina? “Probate” is actually the act of the Court accepting a Will as valid. However, it has become common to…
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Even with the clear benefits of having a will, we’ve found that far too many people in North Carolina don’t have one. For those without a will, there are a myriad of reasons – they think a will is only for people with a certain amount of assets, people with larger families, or any number of other reasons. Dying without a will is referred to as dying “intestate” – when you die intestate in North Carolina, state law determines what will happen with all your possessions. Even though state law will determine what happens in this case, it almost never…
Read More If you’ve recently lost a loved one, it’s important to know how probate works in North Carolina. It is a topic that many people don’t know anything about until they face it for the first time. The following paragraphs describe in some detail the rules regarding probate in North Carolina. Let’s get started with the basics. Do All Probate Rules Work the Same Way? No, probate rules vary state by state. That’s why it is important for you to have an understanding of how probate works where you live. In North Carolina, the law requires putting a deceased person’s estate…
Read More Is a will really something that you need? If you want to know that your family will follow your wishes after your death, having a will is critical. Your will is your opportunity to ensure that your assets are distributed the way you intend, rather than leaving it up to a judge who does not know you and your family. It does not matter how much or how little money you have. It does not matter if you have dependents or not. Putting together a will can help you protect the people and assets you leave behind. 1. Your will…
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