Hiring a Wills, Trusts or Probate Lawyer in North Carolina
What North Carolina requires for a valid will, when probate applies, how estate lawyers charge, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in North Carolina: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under North Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars contingent fees for defending a criminal case (except in criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings if not otherwise prohibited by law) and in civil cases where such a fee is prohibited by law. Rule 1.5(f) requires lawyers to tell clients about the State Bar's fee dispute program at least 30 days before suing to collect a disputed fee and to participate in good faith if the client makes a proper request. |
|---|---|
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The North Carolina State Bar's Fee Dispute Resolution Program (run by its Attorney-Client Assistance Department) is a free facilitation process for clients who dispute a lawyer's fee. Submit the petition (English or Spanish, downloadable or by calling (919) 828-4620) with supporting materials within three years of the last time the lawyer represented you; the State Bar sends it to the lawyer, who responds. Staff decide whether a dispute is suitable; the program cannot take a request once the lawyer has sued to collect the fee and cannot forgive or waive fees. Under Rule 1.5(f), lawyers must participate in good faith when a client makes a proper request. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The North Carolina State Bar's Client Security Fund may reimburse, in whole or in part and at the board's sole discretion, financial losses caused by a lawyer's dishonest conduct (embezzlement or wrongful taking of money or property entrusted to the lawyer in an attorney-client or customary fiduciary relationship, such as estate executor). You must first try other ways to recover, including at minimum filing a fee dispute petition; filing a grievance is recommended. The application must be notarized and include a signed Subrogation Agreement and copies of proof of payment. Contact CSF@ncbar.gov or (919) 828-4620. |
North Carolina rules to know first
| Requirements for a valid will | Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. An attested (witnessed) will must be in writing and signed by the will-maker, or by another person at the will-maker's direction and in their presence. The will-maker must sign in front of, or acknowledge the signature to, at least two competent witnesses, who must sign in the will-maker's presence. The witnesses do not have to sign in each other's presence. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 31-1, 31-3.3 |
|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit | Collection by affidavit is available when the decedent's personal property (minus liens) is worth $20,000 or less, or $30,000 or less if the person filing is the surviving spouse who is entitled to all of it (reduced by any spousal allowance paid). At least 30 days must have passed since death. An heir, creditor or public administrator (and, if there is a will, the named executor or a devisee) files the affidavit with the clerk of superior court in the county of domicile before collecting assets. If there is a will, it must first be admitted to probate. Real estate is not collected this way; the affidavit only lists it. With a will: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_28A/GS_28A-25-1.1.html |
| How probate works | The named executor applies to the clerk of superior court to probate the will (if no executor applies within 60 days of death, a beneficiary or other interested person may, after 10 days' notice to the executor). The clerk admits the will and issues letters. The personal representative publishes a notice to creditors for four consecutive weeks and mails it to known creditors, files an inventory within three months of qualifying, pays valid claims, distributes the estate, and files accountings to close the estate. Inventory deadline: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_28A/GS_28A-20-1.html |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The North Carolina Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) refers members of the public to attorneys through its call center (919-677-8574) or an online self-referral. Using the LRS costs $50 for an initial 30-minute consultation with the attorney; fees for longer consultations and ongoing representation are set by each lawyer. The LRS does not make pro bono referrals, but people with limited income may qualify for NC Free Legal Answers. Call center number from NCBA LRS page: https://www.ncbar.org/members/benefits/lawyer-referral-service/ |
|---|---|
| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The North Carolina State Bar's online Membership Directory lists the name and contact information of State Bar members and shows whether a lawyer is active and eligible to practice in North Carolina (statuses include Active, Inactive, Suspended, Disbarred and Revoked). Search by name or by city or state; listings show member type and State Bar ID and link to any final disciplinary decision or order. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The North Carolina State Bar takes complaints (grievances) about lawyers through its online complaint portal or the PDF attorney complaint form (English or Spanish), or you can email complaints@ncbar.gov to request a form. Identify the lawyer, describe specifically what the lawyer did wrong, include copies of supporting documents and any witnesses, and give your contact information. Complaints against law firms are not accepted, and a complaint cannot be withdrawn once submitted. You are notified in writing when the matter is resolved; status questions go to grievancestatus@ncbar.gov. Past orders of discipline can be searched on the State Bar's website, and directory listings link to final disciplinary orders. Past orders of discipline: https://www.ncbar.gov/lawyer-discipline/past-orders-of-discipline/orders-of-discipline/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to people with low incomes; apply online through its website. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Legal Aid of North Carolina as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
|---|
All legal help in North Carolina · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.