Probate and Estate Administration

Legal Guidance from Our Duplin County Lawyer

If you are in need of assistance with the administration of a loved one's estate, you can speak with one of our Duplin County estate administration attorneys from Hunter & Price, P.A. You have been placed into a position of great authority and responsibility.

As the Administrator, Executor, or Trustee of an estate - your obligations must be carried out according to the law, and therefore, you must have a full understanding of the responsibilities that are now in your hands before proceeding. You can discuss your situation with our firm to learn more about how we can help you familiarize yourself with your duties under the law.

Are you the Administrator of an Estate?

If the decedent whose estate you are administering has died without an estate plan, he or she will be considered to have passed away intestate. In this case, you will be called the Administrator. If that individual died with a will, he or she will be considered testate and you will be called the Executor. A complete search must be conducted to determine whether a will or trust was left behind by the deceased.

If you wish to qualify as the Administrator or Executor of your deceased loved one's estate, you must follow the specific protocol laid out by state law in North Carolina. This process will begin by applying to the Clerk of Superior Court by completing an Application for Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary.

As you begin to prepare for the probate and estate administration process, you will need to speak with a Wallace attorney to have a clear idea of your responsibilities.

You should gather all necessary documents. Some of the important documents include:

• The deceased's Will or Trust
• Life insurance policies and retirement plan documentation
• A list of assets and debts
• A copy of the funeral bill
• Certified copies of the death certificate
• A list of final expenses
• Names and contact information of beneficiaries

Our firm understands the difficulty you are facing as you navigate a complex legal process after suffering the loss of a loved one. We offer a free case evaluation to help you get started on preparation for administration.