Estate Administration in Jacksonville, North Carolina

Find the right Estate Administration attorney in Jacksonville, NC

When a person dies, a process known as "estate administration" must be carried out. This refers to all the procedures which must be followed in distributing a person's estate to their heirs or devisees.

If the person who died made and executed a valid will in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the process of estate administration usually follows the procedures and instructions laid out in the will.

Often, the will appoints an executor whose job it is to oversee the administration of the will.

The executor generally has at least some work cut out for them. This obviously raises the issue of compensation. The easiest way to ensure that the executor does his or her job is simply to appoint the person who has the most to gain from the will. That way, they cannot inherit until the process is completed.

What if The Will Does Not Name an Executor?

If a Jacksonville, North Carolina will does not name an executor, or no will exists or can be found, it's up to the local court to decide who should be the executor.

This is typically the person who will benefit the most if the will is executed. If there is no will (a situation known as "intestacy"), North Carolina has a system of laws distributing the decedent's property to his or her closest living relative. In such a situation, the closest living relative has the most to gain from an orderly administration of the estate, so they will typically be appointed.

If the will doesn't name a person who is to serve as executor, or the person named is no longer alive or cannot be found, anyone with a direct interest in the will can apply to the Jacksonville, North Carolina court to be the executor.

Once an executor is appointed (whether by being named in the will, or on the application of another person), they "step into the shoes" of the estate, and are expected to protect its interests to the fullest extent possible. They also are required to accurately inventory the estate's debts and assets, as well as notify potential beneficiaries.

Can a Jacksonville, North Carolina Estate Administration Attorney Help?

If you find yourself named in a will as executor of an estate, and aren't sure how to meet your responsibilities, or where to begin, it would be a good idea to consult with an experienced Jacksonville, North Carolina lawyer who can help you navigate this sometimes-complicated process.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is part of Onslow County, North Carolina. Per the 2010 census, it has a population of 70,145 people. An interesting fact is that Jacksonville is the youngest city in the United States because its age is only 22.8 years. Jacksonville also has a large military presence, and is home to the United States Marine Corps' Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the Marine Corps Air Station New River.

Some famous people who have been residents are Ryan Adams, Art Bell, Levi Brown, Edward B. Dudley, David Green, Sara Hickman, Marcus Jones, Dian Parkinson, Danielle Peck, and Quincy Monk.

Many attorneys practice in Jacksonville. The attorneys are either solo practitioners or a part of a law firm. Either way, they focus on providing their clients with excellent legal services.

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