“Probate” generally refers to the court-supervised process of administering a person’s estate: identifying and valuing assets, paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the proper beneficiaries or heirs. Many estates in North Carolina go through some form of probate, although there are simplified procedures for smaller estates and certain assets pass by beneficiary designation or joint ownership rather than through the probate estate. We can review your asset structure with you and help you understand what probate would likely look like in your situation and whether planning can reduce the burden.
