Beginning the Estate Process

Documentation needed to begin the process of setting up an 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 dies 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.
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
Household furnishings
Farm products, livestock, equipment, or tools
Title(s)/registration card(s) to any vehicles/mobile homes or utility trailers - make, model, mileage, and VIN and value of each. If loan is not paid in full, then provide the equity value of the vehicle.
Interest and value in a partnership or sole proprietor business.
Insurance policies, retirement plans, IRA payable to the estate or no designated beneficiary.
Notes, judgments, and debts owed to the decedent
Miscellaneous personal property, ie: gun collections, jewelry, doll collections, etc.
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?

You can obtain additional forms at NCCourts.Gov or Harnett.Org

This office will assist you as much as possible; however, we are prevented from giving advice and answering legal questions. If you have legal questions, you must contact an attorney.

Please Note there are several types of estates, and you may be asked to provide additional information not listed above.

If you have questions, you may contact us at:

Reneé Whittenton	Clerk of Superior Court	(910) 814-4600	Renee.Whittenton@nccourts.org
Tyler Blomquist	Supervisor/Assistant Clerk	(910) 814-4655	Tyler.M.Blomquist@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
Ashley Maidon	Deputy Clerk	(910) 814-4645	Ashley.L.Maidon@nccourts.org
Susan Scarborough	Deputy Clerk	(910) 814-4573	Susan.J.Scarborough@nccourts.org

Clerk of Court

Beginning the Estate Process