North Carolina Creditor Notice Requirements
Key statutory requirements under N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1
90-Day (3-Month) Notification Window
Under N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1, personal representatives must publish notice to creditors, and creditors have 90 days (3 months) from the first publication date to file claims against the estate.
Publication Requirements
Notice must be published once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper qualified for legal advertising in the county where the decedent resided or where property is located.
"Reasonably Diligent Efforts" Standard
North Carolina courts require personal representatives to make "reasonably diligent efforts" to identify known creditors. This increasingly includes documented digital search efforts.
Clerk of Superior Court Oversight
Unlike many states, North Carolina probate matters are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court, who may scrutinize creditor notification procedures, especially in contested estates.
Statutory Reference: N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1 (Notice to Creditors), § 28A-19-3 (Claims Procedure)
Why North Carolina Estate Attorneys Choose ObituaryMonitor
90-Day Deadline Tracking
Automated monitoring catches death notices immediately, giving you maximum time within North Carolina's 90-day creditor notification window.
Clerk-Ready Documentation
Court-ready audit logs designed for North Carolina's Clerk of Superior Court, with timestamps, source citations, and certification language.
100-County Coverage
From Charlotte to Raleigh to Asheville, our 2,500+ source network covers all 100 North Carolina counties and the Research Triangle.
North Carolina County Coverage
North Carolina Probate FAQ
What is the North Carolina creditor claim period?
Under N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1, creditors have 3 months from the date of first publication of the notice to creditors to file claims. The personal representative must publish notice in a newspaper and may also send actual notice to known creditors.
What is North Carolina small estate administration?
North Carolina offers Administration by Affidavit (Collection by Affidavit) for estates with personal property valued at $20,000 or less ($30,000 if spouse is sole heir). This simplified process can be used 30 days after death.
What is summary administration in North Carolina?
Summary Administration is available when estate assets don't exceed the sum of funeral expenses, administration costs, and the year's allowance. It allows closing the estate without full administration after 6 months.
What is the Clerk of Superior Court's role in NC probate?
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court (not a separate Probate Court) handles most probate matters. The Clerk appoints personal representatives, supervises administration, and resolves uncontested issues. Only contested matters go before a Superior Court judge.
Are digital obituary sources considered in North Carolina's 'reasonably diligent search' for creditors?
ObituaryMonitor offers full bidirectional compatibility with Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther, and Rocket Matter. Not only can you auto-detect matter formats during import, but you can also export enriched death-audit data in native formats to sync directly back to your Practice Management System, ensuring your CRM remains the single source of truth for North Carolina statutory compliance.
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Disclaimer: The statutory information provided above is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. North Carolina probate requirements may vary by county and are subject to change. Always consult with a licensed North Carolina attorney for specific legal guidance regarding N.C.G.S. § 28A-14-1 compliance and estate administration.