What Happens If You Don’t Have a Will in North Carolina

If you die without a will in North Carolina, you are considered to have died “intestate.” This simply means the state’s intestacy laws decide who gets your property.

Here’s a plain-English look at what that means:

• If you’re married: Your spouse and children split your estate. How much each gets depends on how many children you have and whether the property was jointly owned.

• If you have children but no spouse: Your children inherit everything equally.

• If you have no spouse or children: Your parents inherit. If they aren’t living, it goes to your siblings.

This might sound straightforward, but in practice, it can be complicated. For example, if you have a blended family, your stepchildren will not inherit under intestacy unless you adopted them. And intestacy can mean delays, higher costs, and less control over how your property is distributed.

A will lets you decide:

• Who gets your property (and in what shares)

• Who should serve as guardian for your children

• Who will handle your estate as executor

Having a will is an act of love for your family — it removes uncertainty and reduces conflict during a difficult time.

Protect your family’s future today — schedule a consultation.