Loss hits hard, and yet tasks start showing up right away. If you are wondering what to do first, you are not alone, and you do not have to figure it out in one sitting. At Trusts and Estates Law Group (of North Carolina), we care about honoring the life of your loved one while giving you practical steps that make sense. This guide walks through immediate actions, funeral planning, paperwork, and the estate process in North Carolina, one step at a time.
Immediate Actions Following a Death
Grief takes the front seat, but a few practical moves help protect family and property. You can ask others to help with calls and errands, and that is okay. Take this in small pieces.
Official Pronouncement and Notification
If death occurs in a hospital or nursing facility, the staff handles the pronouncement. If it happens at home under hospice care, the hospice nurse can pronounce and guide the next steps. If it is unexpected at home, call 9-1-1 so first responders and the medical examiner can make the required pronouncement.
Let close family and friends know, and share the task if you can. One person can text or email a small group, then others spread the word.
Arranging for Immediate Care and Security
Lock the home, secure vehicles, and remove perishables from the fridge. If valuables are in plain view, tuck them away, and think about changing locks. Arrange safe care for children and pets, even as a short-term plan.
Forward the mail. Stacked mail signals an empty house, and forwarding helps capture bills and account notices you will need later.
Funeral Arrangements and Documentation
Funerals and memorials help families gather and share stories. The choices can feel heavy, so use any written instructions you find and keep receipts for later reimbursement through the estate.
Making Funeral Arrangements
Look for pre-planned funeral contracts or written memorial wishes. Many people keep these with a will or in a home file cabinet. If the person was a veteran, reach out to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ask about honors and benefits for burial or cremation.
Common decisions include the following. Write them down as you go because it really helps:
Burial or cremation, and location of burial or placement of ashes.Date, time, and place of the service or gathering.Casket or urn selection, flowers, music, photos, and program.Obituary draft and where to publish it.Officiant and pallbearers, if used.
Funeral homes guide families through the process and can help order certified copies of the death certificate.
Obtaining Death Certificates
Order multiple certified death certificates since many offices ask for originals. The funeral director usually submits the order for you. For most families, 10 copies work well.
Agencies and companies that often request a death certificate include the following:
Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs.Life insurance and annuity companies.Banks, credit unions, and investment custodians.Probate court, pension plan administrators, and creditors.DMV for titles and license cancellation.
If you need more, you can request additional certified copies from the county Register of Deeds.
Information and Documents for the Funeral Director
Have basic biographical information ready. The funeral director uses it for the death certificate and obituary if you request help.
Full name, address, and marital status.Race or ethnicity, date and city of birth, and education level.Parents’ names, spouse’s name, occupation, and employer.
Bring documents that help with benefits and arrangements. Keep originals safe and carry copies if you can.
Account statements and beneficiary forms.Life insurance policies and policy numbers.Military discharge papers, DD 214.Social Security number and photo ID.
Locating and Securing Important Documents
Finding the right papers early keeps projects from stalling later. A simple folder or box on the kitchen table will work fine for now.
Look for the following, then store them in a safe place:
Will and any trust documents.Certified death certificate after you receive copies.Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and any divorce decree.Burial contracts or pre-paid funeral papers.Military records, including DD 214.Life insurance, annuities, and beneficiary designations.Deeds, vehicle titles, and other ownership records.
Financial and Legal Notifications
Timely notifications stop benefits that should stop and open claims that should be paid. Keep a simple log of dates, names, and confirmation numbers.
Notifying Government Agencies and Financial Institutions
Contact these offices to report the death, claim benefits, or prepare for transfers. Some funeral homes report to Social Security, but a follow-up call helps avoid errors.
Social Security Administration.Veterans Administration and Defense Finance and Accounting Service.Office of Personnel Management for federal pensions.U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, if applicable.North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles for license and title updates.
Reach out to financial companies as you gather documents. Many will ask for a certified death certificate, and later, for your Letters from the court.
Banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders.Credit card companies and personal loan servicers.Life insurance and annuity companies.Pension and retirement plan administrators.Brokerage firms and investment custodians.
Managing Accounts and Subscriptions
Stopping charges and forwarding mail reduces stress and risk. Keep final bills and confirmations with your notes.
Utilities, internet, phone, and cable providers.Streaming, magazines, clubs, and other subscriptions.Postal service forwarding to the personal representative’s address.Email, social media, and online shopping accounts.
Understanding Power of Attorney
A power of attorney ends at death. Do not use it after the date of death. Using it after death can be treated as fraud.
Beginning the Estate Administration Process in North Carolina
Estate administration means gathering property, paying valid bills, and distributing what remains to heirs or beneficiaries. Start a file with bank statements, credit card statements, deeds, titles, tax returns, and business records. In many families, some assets pass outside probate through beneficiary designations or joint ownership.
Use the overview below to see what often goes through court and what often transfers another way.
Asset TypeProbate NeededNotesReal estate titled only in the decedent’s nameOften yesNeeded to transfer title, unless the will directs sale or other exception applies.Joint accounts with right of survivorshipNoThe surviving owner typically becomes the full owner.Life insurance with a living beneficiaryNoPays directly to the named person.Retirement accounts with a living beneficiaryNoCustodian handles beneficiary payout.Trust assetsNoThe successor trustee distributes under the trust.Personal property with no title, like furnitureOften yesHandled in the court inventory if part of the estate.
Determining the Need for Probate
Probate is typically needed to transfer a real estate title that was in the decedent’s name alone, to access financial accounts without beneficiaries, and to handle vehicles and other titled assets. If most property passes by beneficiary designation or through a trust, a full court process might not be required. North Carolina also offers small estate options in certain situations.
Initiating Probate with the Clerk of Superior Court
Contact the Clerk of Court in the North Carolina county where the person lived. Some clerks accept walk-ins, and others set appointments. Bring what you have so the clerk can get you started.
The will, if there is one, and a certified death certificate.An application and preliminary inventory of property.The filing fee, commonly $120 in North Carolina.
Forms are available from the clerk’s office and online. Having a general picture of assets and heirs helps you complete the application.
Understanding Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration
Letters are court documents that give authority to act for the estate. Letters Testamentary are issued when there is a valid will and the named executor qualifies. Letters of Administration are issued when there is no will and an administrator is appointed.
Prioritization for Granting Letters
North Carolina law sets an order for who can serve if the named executor does not or if there is no will. The list generally follows this order:
Executor named in the will, then any substitute named in the will.Surviving spouse.Anyone receiving property under the will.Anyone who would receive property if there were no will.Any next of kin.Creditors of the decedent.Anyone of good character living in the county.
Personal Representative’s Bond
Administrators post a bond as well unless an exception applies. The clerk will explain the bond amount and any waiver rules that fit your case.
Handling Small or Simple Estates
Some estates can use simpler routes. One common path is the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent, which lets you collect certain assets without a full estate file. There is also a streamlined approach called Summary Administration when the spouse is the only heir or devisee.
If the estate holds just enough money to cover funeral and burial costs, a simplified process can apply. The clerk’s office can share the forms and basic steps for these filings.
Get Guidance After the Loss of a Loved One
At Trusts and Estates Law Group (of North Carolina), we have decades of experience guiding North Carolina families through the legal steps that follow a death. From probate filings to asset transfers, we work to reduce stress and bring order during a difficult time.
Call us at 919-782-3500 or use our Contact Us page to schedule a consultation. Together, we can clarify your next steps, honor your loved one’s wishes, and protect your family’s peace of mind.
