Estates and Wills
Beginning Estate Administration
DOCUMENTATION NEEDED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF
OPENING A DECEDENT'S ESTATE INCLUDES:
- Original Last Will and Testament – if applicable
- Copy of complete obituary
- Copy of death certificate – This may be obtained from the Register of Deeds in the county in which decedent died or from the funeral home.
- Copy of funeral bill with receipts or other documentation indicating who made payments.
- Name, age, and mailing addresses of heir(s) – spouse, living AND deceased children. If child(ren) is/are deceased, need same information on spouse and children of decedent.
- Copy of Separation and/or Prenuptial Agreements
- Title(s) and/or registration card(s) to vehicle(s)
You will need to have knowledge of the decedent’s
real and personal property and the values:
- Bank account information –account numbers, balance in accounts, copy of signature cards for joint and POD accounts
- Stocks and bonds owned by decedent – number of shares and values at time of death
- Cash and/or uncashed checks on hand. – What is the value?
- Value of household furnishings?
- Value of farm products, livestock, equipment or tools?
- Title(s)/registration card(s) to any vehicles/mobile homes or utility trailers - make, model, mileage and VIN# of each. What is the value? If loan is not paid in full, what is the equity in vehicle?
- Interest in a partnership or sole proprietor business? What is the value?
- Value of insurance policies, retirement plans, IRA payable to the estate or no designated beneficiary?
- Value of notes, judgments, and debts owed decedent?
- Value of miscellaneous personal property (ie: gun collections, jewelry, doll collections, etc)?
- Value of real estate willed to the estate with legal description?
- Estimated annual income of estate?
- Did decedent own real property in his/her name ONLY? If so, what is the fair market value?
- Did decedent own real property with spouse?
- Did decedent own real property with someone other than the spouse? What is the value?
- Had the decedent ever inherited any real property?
- Did the decedent have utilities provided by a membership corporation, i.e. South River Electric Membership Corporation, Central Electric Membership Corporation, etc? If so, provide account number and amount of capital credit.
- Is there a pending personal injury case or will there be a wrongful death action?
- Is there a pending divorce, equitable distribution or other court action?
All items on this list will not pertain to every administration.
If you have questions, you may schedule an appointment using this link bit.ly/432pfXQ or email us at Harnett.Estates@nccourts.org
Additional forms can be found at www.nccourts.org or www.harnett.org
This office will assist you as much as possible; however, please understand we are prevented from giving advice and answering legal questions. If you have legal questions, you must contact an attorney.
If you have questions, you may contact us at:
Reneé Whittenton
Clerk of Superior Court
(910) 814-4600
Renee.Whittenton@nccourts.org
Whitney Pearce
Supervisor/Assistant Clerk
(910) 814-4647
Whitney.B.Pearce2@nccourts.org
Sandra Paye
Assistant Clerk
(910) 814-4585
Sandra.B.Broadwell-paye@nccourts.org
Ashley Vest
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4581
Ashley.H.Vest@nccourts.org
Cindy Atkins
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4586
Cindy.B.Atkins@nccourts.org
Amber Bennett
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4587
Amber.S.Bennett2@nccourts.org
Jennifer Morrison
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4649
Jennifer.C.Morrison@nccourts.org
Maranda Evans
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4642
Maranda.R.Evans2@nccourts.org
Connie Sue Clarke
Deputy Clerk
(910) 814-4550
Connie.S.Clarke@nccourts.org
For additional ways to file online through eCourts, please visit the below link: