If you have not had to deal with the death of a parent, grandparent, or other close relative or friend before, chances are you are not familiar with the estate settlement process. Dealing with grief after the loss of a loved one is difficult enough already, and adding in the stress of managing the deceased person’s assets and debts just exacerbates that stress. However, getting help from an attorney who is well-versed in estate law can help the process go smoothly. One thing that can help you is knowing what to expect from estate settlement.
Estate settlement won’t be exactly the same for everyone, since the size of the estate and other factors can differ. However, there are some general things that you can be aware of. The first step that needs to happen is locating the deceased person’s will and other important documents. If there is a will, it should then be filed in a probate court, which will validate the will. Then, several persons will need to be notified of the death, including the decedent’s banks, the post office, and utility companies. Their assets will need to be appraised before they can be distributed. You’ll also need to make sure any necessary taxes or debts are paid, and then you can formally close the estate.
If you require the services of an attorney to help with estate settlement in North Carolina, I would be happy to help. My firm, James M. Snow Law, primarily serves those in the High Point, Greensboro, Thomasville, Lexington, and Kernersville, North Carolina areas, but I have practiced law in over 50 counties over the course of 40 years. Contact me with any questions.