Owning a vacation home is one of the most meaningful family investments. Deciding how to protect it and pass it on can be complicated. One option some families consider is a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT). This tool can reduce federal estate taxes, avoid probate, and still let the owner […]
It is not unusual in North Carolina for someone to pass away leaving both a will and a trust. On paper, it sounds like a safe way to make sure every asset is covered. In reality, it can create overlap, confusion, and even conflict, especially when some property is inside […]
Funeral expenses can be one of the first and largest bills to arise after someone dies. In North Carolina, state law spells out how funeral costs are paid from the estate, the maximum amounts given priority, and who can authorize those payments. Families often have urgent questions about whether they […]
If you are the executor or administrator of an estate in North Carolina, one of your first and most stressful jobs is completing the probate inventory. Families often ask if they really have to list every single asset. They worry about how detailed they need to be, how to value […]
Even when no one contests the will, probate in North Carolina can still drag on for months. Learn why delays happen, what steps executors must follow, and how to speed up the process without costly mistakes. This guide explains the full probate timeline and offers practical strategies to help families close the estate with less stress and more confidence.