Estate Procedural Guide This is a general guide of steps to follow AFTER an estate has been opened in Harnett County.
Immediately:
• Go to a Harnett County published paper and run a “Notice to Creditors” ad
(Dunn Daily Record, Dunn; Harnett County News, Lillington; Angier Independent,
Angier)
• Open an estate checking account –
MAKE SURE YOU NOTIFY THE BANK THAT YOU NEED CANCELLED CHECKS
• Read Estate Booklet provided by our office
90 days from date of qualification, return to our office with:
• Completed Inventory form (E-505)
• Publisher’s Affidavit from newspaper (notarized document with newspaper clipping
attached)
• Completed Affidavit of Notice to Creditors form (E-307)
• Completed Estate Tax Certification form (E-212)
• Copy of signature card(s) from bank(s)
• Estate check book (if applicable). If estate checking account was not necessary,
bring cash/check for payment of estate fees
• Copy of paid funeral bill or receipt indicating “paid in full”
One year from date of qualification, return to our office with:
• Completed Final/Annual Account form (E-506)
• All estate checking bank statements - including last statement with a zero ($0.00)
balance
• All cancelled checks from estate checking account
• Bills and receipts for each disbursement on Final/Annual Account form
• Proof of payment or a release of claim
• Receipt Acknowledgement forms from heirs
• If court fees were not paid in full at inventory, you will need to pay additional fees
You will be mailed a reminder to file your inventory/account which allows you 30 days to file. If you need an extension of time, you may contact our office and make a request. If you do not file within the time allotted, you may be served with court orders by the Sheriff of your county. You can be held in contempt of court and placed in the county jail until the court order is complied with.
As always, if you need assistance you may contact us at any time. However, please remember that we are not attorneys and cannot give any legal advice.
Liz Morris, Assistant Clerk (910) 814-4636; Marsha Johnson, Assistant Clerk (910) 814-4630; Renee W. Stanley, Deputy Clerk (910) 814-4646; Daniel McNeill, Deputy Clerk (910) 814-4638
You can obtain additional forms at www.nccourts.org or www.harnett.org
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