Probate Attorney Serving North & South Carolina — Compassionate, Virtual Guidance When You Need It Most

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the stress of managing legal details.
At Estate Planning of the Carolinas, we help families across North Carolina and South Carolina navigate the probate process — clearly, efficiently, and 100% virtually.

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Compassionate Probate Guidance Across the Carolinas

Handling an estate can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re grieving. Our goal is to lift that weight off your shoulders.

At Estate Planning of the Carolinas, we provide virtual probate services to families across Charlotte, Raleigh, Gastonia, Greenville, and every corner of the Carolinas. Whether you’re an executor, administrator, or beneficiary, our experienced probate attorney will walk you through every step, ensuring deadlines are met and documents are handled properly.

Because our process is virtual and flat-fee, you’ll know what to expect from day one — no hidden costs, no courthouse visits, and no unnecessary stress.

Book Your Virtual Consultation

Understanding the Probate Process in North & South Carolina

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate — paying debts, distributing assets, and ensuring everything is done according to the law and the will (if one exists).

Here’s what the process typically includes:

  • Filing the Estate: Opening the estate in the county where your loved one lived (such as Mecklenburg, Wake, Gaston, or Greenville County).
  • Appointing an Executor or Administrator: The person legally responsible for managing the estate.
  • Inventorying Assets: Listing property, accounts, and valuables owned by the decedent.
  • Paying Debts & Taxes: Ensuring all legitimate debts and obligations are satisfied.
  • Distributing Assets: Delivering the remaining property to beneficiaries.

In North Carolina, probate is administered through the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the decedent lived. The process typically runs three to twelve months for a straightforward estate. NC law requires that creditors be notified and given a set period to file claims before assets can be distributed.

South Carolina follows a similar process under the SC Probate Code, administered through the county Probate Court. South Carolina has a more accessible summary probate procedure for estates under $25,000. Having an attorney who knows both systems is especially valuable if the decedent owned property in both states.

We’ll guide you through every phase — explaining what’s required, preparing filings, and helping you stay organized and compliant.

Learn How Probate Works

When You Might Need a Probate Attorney

Even simple estates can involve legal complexity. You should consider professional help if:

  • The estate owns real property in more than one state.
  • There are multiple beneficiaries or disputes.
  • You’re unsure about asset titling, creditor claims, or taxes.
  • You want to minimize delays or court interactions.
  • You’re administering an estate with no will (intestate estate).

Even “simple” probate estates benefit from legal guidance. NC law imposes specific deadlines — the estate must be opened within a certain window, creditors must be notified in a legally sufficient way, and the final accounting must be properly filed. Missing any of these steps can expose the personal representative to personal liability.

Our Probate Services Include:

  • Virtual probate consultations and document filing
  • Executor and administrator legal guidance
  • Estate accounting and court compliance
  • Small estate affidavit assistance
  • Real property title transfers and deeds
  • Beneficiary communication and distribution coordination

Virtual Probate Made Simple

Probate doesn’t have to mean courthouse visits and piles of paperwork. Our virtual process makes it secure and convenient for families across the Carolinas:

  • Free Virtual Consultation: We’ll review your situation and determine what’s needed.
  • Document Preparation: We prepare all filings, ready for submission to the appropriate county probate court.
  • Guided Administration: You’ll receive step-by-step instructions and ongoing support from your attorney.
  • Final Accounting & Closure: Once all obligations are met, we’ll help you finalize and close the estate.

Most probate tasks do not require your physical presence in a courthouse. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with the Clerk’s office, and draft the required accountings — all remotely. For clients who live out of state but are serving as executor for a North or South Carolina estate, this virtual approach is especially practical.

We work on a flat-fee basis for most probate matters, so you know your costs upfront. No billing surprises during an already difficult time. And because we are licensed in both NC and SC, we can handle estates that cross state lines — a common scenario for families with vacation property or investment real estate in both states.

All done remotely, efficiently, and at a flat-fee rate.

Schedule Your Consultation

Why Families Choose Estate Planning of the Carolinas

  • Licensed in North Carolina & South Carolina – Experienced with probate rules in both states.
  • Virtual Convenience – Meet, review, and sign documents from anywhere.
  • Flat-Fee Transparency – Know your costs upfront, always.
  • Clear Communication – We handle legal complexity in plain English.
  • Compassionate Counsel – You’ll always be treated like family, not a file number.

Proudly serving clients in Charlotte, Raleigh, Gastonia, Greenville, Cary, Rock Hill, Concord, Huntersville, and across North and South Carolina — all through secure virtual meetings.

Let’s Make the Next Steps Simple — and Manageable.

Dealing with probate doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Schedule your free virtual consultation today and let’s take this one step at a time — with clear guidance and care.

Probate FAQs

How long does probate take in North Carolina?+

Probate in North Carolina typically takes between 6 and 12 months for straightforward estates. More complex cases involving disputes, significant debt, or hard-to-value assets can take longer. Having a well-organized estate plan — including a revocable living trust — in place before death can significantly streamline the process.

Can I avoid probate in North Carolina or South Carolina?+

Yes. Common strategies include establishing a revocable living trust, designating beneficiaries on financial accounts and insurance policies, titling property as joint tenants with right of survivorship, and using payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations.

Do I need an attorney for probate in NC or SC?+

You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but most personal representatives benefit greatly from professional guidance. NC and SC probate involves court filings, creditor notification deadlines, asset inventories, and a final accounting — all with strict legal requirements. Errors can expose the personal representative to personal liability. We offer flat-fee probate guidance to keep the process affordable and predictable.

What is the difference between a personal representative and an executor?+

They are functionally the same role. “Executor” is the traditional term used when someone is named in a will. “Personal representative” is the broader legal term used in NC and SC statutes, covering both named executors and court-appointed administrators when there is no will.

Probate Attorney Serving Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

We guide executors and heirs through Mecklenburg County probate from start to finish — entirely virtually. Many Charlotte families also explore whether a living trust could help their loved ones avoid probate altogether.