What is a life estate in North Carolina?
970822
It means that although the house doesn't belong to the person, as long as they live, it can't be sold and they can't be kicked out.
173086
the North Carolina General Assembly
855581
I'm sure this varies from state to state.  Where is the property located?
380960
you can find here:\n\nhttp://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/html/pdf/therules.pdf
613422
The law setting out who gets what is called intestate succession.  Each state has a statute that sets this out.  The statutes differ from one another in some respects.\n\nIn general: \n1.  Property that was held in some form of "pay on death" title will go to the surviving co-owner.  Typical of these are: beneficiaries to life insurance, persons holding property as "joint tenants", the beneficiary of a trust account at a bank or savings and loan.\n2.  In a community property state the surviving spouse receives all of the community property.\n3.  In a non-community property state or as to non-community property in a community property state the surviving spouse gets all if the deceased has no living descendants.  If there is one child (or the issue of the deceased only child) the child and the spouse split 50:50.  If there is more than one child, the spouse and the children split 1/3rd for the spouse, 2/3rds for the children.  \n4.  The  only time the state gets the estate is if there is no will and there are no known relatives.
645983
Trot down to the probate court.  They have to open an "estate" and the will should be on file there.
336833
yes, someone does live in north carolina.  in fact, according to the US census bureau, approximately 8,541,221 someones live in north carolina.  at least one of them lives in every town in the state.\n\nthis is not yahoo chat.
471625
Go to http://www.ncgov.com/
699019
It depends upon how the property was owned by your mother and step-dad.  If their names were listed as John Doe and Jane Doe, joint tenants, then your step-father became the sole owner once your mother died.  If that happened, once your step-father died, the land passed down according to his will or to his heirs if he died without a will.  As a stepchild, you are not considered one of his heir if he died without a will.\n\nYou really need to go to the county courthouse to see how the land was titled when your mother was still alive. Once you have that information, post a new question on her stating exactly how the official records showed the way the land was owned, leaving out the actual names of course.
97090
In the 1580s, the British established two colonies in North Carolina, both of which failed.\n\nThe first permanent English settlers in North Carolina were immigrants from the tidewater area of southeastern Virginia. The first of these "overflow" settlers moved into the Albemarle area of northeast North Carolina around 1650
57644
I will assume that you don't live in NC.  Unless you are licensed in NC I think the only thing you can do is a referal to an agent in the Charlotte area.  I don't know the going referal rate where you are but here in California it's about 30% of the comission.
756533
You need to consult a qualified North Carolina attorney. However, while it's not entirely clear what you mean when you say Martha "got judgment for her to take all the land" - it's highly unlikely that a court will overturn a 22 year old decision as to property rights...if that's what actually happened.
196451
It has been years since I was last in NC, but I have seen many areas, and the most memorable was Wilmington.  I am not sure of cost of living, but I know Charlotte was also convenient to so many areas, yet had many affordable housing options, with a lower rate of unemployment.
663108
Every state has a time limit to be responsible for bills. NC is 3 years, check on website of Attorney General.
96417
1. What Is a Living Trust?\n\nThe "living trust" described in this brochure is a revocable living trust. It is sometimes referred to as a revocable inter vivos trust, or a grantor trust. A living trust may be amended or revoked by the person creating it (commonly known as a "trustor," "grantor" or "settlor"), at any time during the trustor's lifetime, as long as the trustor is competent.\n\nA trust is a written legal agreement between the individual creating the trust and the person or institution named to manage the assets held in the trust (the "trustee.") In many cases, it is appropriate for you to be the initial trustee of your living trust, until management assistance is anticipated or required.\n\nIn a living trust agreement:\n\nThe trustee is given the legal right to manage and control the assets held in the trust. \nThe trust provides for the persons or charitable organizations ("beneficiaries") who are to receive the income and principal on or after the trustor's death. \nThe trustee is given guidance and certain powers and authority to manage and distribute the trust property in a prudent fashion. The trustee is a "fiduciary." A fiduciary is one who occupies a position of trust and confidence and is subject to strict responsibilities, usually higher standards of performance than one who is dealing with his or her own property. Without the trustor's express written permission, the trustee cannot use trust property for the trustee's own personal use, benefit or self-interest. One must hold the trust property solely for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the trust. \nA living trust can be an important part - in many cases, the most important part - of your estate plan. The State Bar has published a pamphlet entitled "Do I Need Estate Planning?" which provides more detailed information about estate planning. You may obtain a free copy of the pamphlet by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request to the address listed below.\n\n2. What Can a Living Trust Do for Me\n\nA living trust can provide for the private management of your assets if you choose not to act as trustee, or when you are unable to do so, by the person or persons whom you appoint as trustee. When you are incapacitated, your trustee can assume responsibility for your assets in an accountable fashion, and manage them for your benefit without direct court intervention or supervision. At your death, the trustee acts much as an executor would, gathering your assets, paying valid debts and claims and taxes, and distributing your assets as you have directed in your living trust.\n\n3. Should Everyone Have a Living Trust\n\nNo. The greater the risk of incapacity or death, the greater the need for a living trust. The greater the value of your assets, particularly if they include real estate, the greater the need for a living trust. A young, healthy individual with few assets probably does not need a living trust right now. Nor does the real estate developer who is frequently buying, selling or refinancing his or her real estate holdings want a living trust to hold those assets. On the other hand, many people recognize that a living trust will be helpful in the future, and set up a living trust now to have it in place in the event of an accident or sudden illness.\n\n4. How Does a Living Trust Help if I Am Incapacitated?\n\nIf you are acting as trustee of your own living trust and become incapacitated, whoever you have named as your successor trustee will assume the responsibility for managing your assets on your behalf. If your assets are not in your living trust, someone else must manage them. How this is accomplished may depend on whether the assets are your separate or community property. If you are married, assets earned by either you or your spouse while married and while a resident of California are community property. On the other hand, a married
1116928
Try the office of the Secretary of State in NC.
587525
That information should be public record, check with the county recorders office or see if your area has a weekly publication like "legal news".  It would provide you with births, deaths, real estate sales, etc... Good luck!