Declaración Solemne

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Declaración Solemne is a commonly used form within North Carolina. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Declaración Solemne

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Declaración Solemne:

• This form pertains to the State of North Carolina

• The current version of this form was last revised on March 1, 2007

• The relevant probate statute or North Carolina laws related to this form include: 11-7, 11-11, 28A-7-1

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about North Carolina’s Form AOC-E-400 - Declaración Solemne up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct North Carolina form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some North Carolina probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form AOC-E-400, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in NC are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form AOC-E-400 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form AOC-E-400 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Declaración Solemne to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in North Carolina.

5 reasons you should submit AOC-E-400 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster North Carolina can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in North Carolina. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of North Carolina is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for North Carolina probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local North Carolina probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form AOC-E-400, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Declaración Solemne is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some North Carolina probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within North Carolina.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form AOC-E-400 - Declaración Solemne f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the North Carolina probate court office.

Declaración Solemne is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any North Carolina-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on North Carolina Form AOC-E-400 - Declaración Solemne. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

AOC-E-400 Spanish, page 1 of 2, Rev. 3/07 © 2007 Administrative Office of the Courts AOC-E-400, español, página 1 de 2, rev. 3/07 © 2007 Oficina Administrativa de los Tribunales POR FAVOR LLENE LA VERSIÓN EN INGLÉS DE ESTE FORMULARIO NOTE: THIS FORM IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM FOR FILING. USE THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE AOC-E-400 INSTEAD. SÍRVASE NOTAR: ESTE FORMULARIO SÓLO SE DISPONE PARA FINES INFORMATIVOS. NO LO DEBE PRESENTAR EN EL TRIBUNAL, SINO QUE DEBE LLENAR Y PRESENTAR LA VERSIÓN EN INGLÉS DEL FORMULARIO AOC-E-400. File No. Nro. de expediente STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA EL ESTADO DE CAROLINA DEL NORTE County Condado de In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Before The Clerk En los Tribunales de Justicia del Fuero Común Sección del Tribunal Superior Ante el Secretario OATH/AFFIRMATION DECLARACIÓN SOLEMNE N.C. Constitution, Art. VI., Sec. 7; G.S.11-7, 11-11; 28A-7-1 Art. 7 de la Sec. VI de la Constitución de C. del N.; Artículos 11-7, 11-11; 28A-7-1 de la ley IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: EN EL ASUNTO DEL PATRIMONIO DE: Name Of Decedent/Minor/Incompetent/Trust Nombre del difunto / menor de edad / incapacitado / fideicomiso I, the undersigned, do solemnly swear affirm that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith; that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; and that I will endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and ability; and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as indicated below; so help me, God. and this is my solemn affirmation. Yo, el abajo firmante, juro afirmo solemnemente que apoyaré y mantendré la constitución y las leyes de los Estados Unidos y la constitución y leyes de Carolina del Norte que concuerden con las mismas; que seré fiel y guardaré lealtad sincera hacia el estado de Carolina del Norte, y hacia los poderes y autoridades constitucionales que se establecen o establecerán para gobernar el mismo; y que procuraré apoyar, mantener y defender la constitución de dicho estado, que no contradiga la constitución de los Estados Unidos, a mi leal saber y entender; y que cumpliré fielmente los deberes de mi función como se indica abajo; que Dios me ayude. y así afirmo solemnemente. (check office below) (marque su función abajo) OATH OF ADMINISTRATOR JURAMENTO COMO ALBACEA LEGÍTIMO I swear affirm that I believe that the above named decedent died without leaving any Last Will and Testament; that I will well and truly administer all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the deceased and a true and perfect inventory thereof return according to law; and that all other duties appertaining to the charge reposed in me, I will well and truly perform, according to law and with my best skill and ability; so help me, God. and this is my solemn affirmation. Juro Afirmo que creo que el difunto arriba mencionado falleció sin dejar Última voluntad y testamento alguna; que administraré todos y cada uno de los bienes muebles, intereses y saldos del difunto y entregaré un inventario fiel y perfecto de los mismos de acuerdo con la ley; y que realizaré bien y fielmente todos los demás deberes pertenecientes a la función que en mí descansa, de acuerdo con la ley y a mi leal saber y entender; que Dios me ayude. y así afirmo solemnemente. Original-File Original - expediente (Over) (Continúe) AOC-E-400 Spanish, page 2 of 2, Rev. 3/07 © 2007 Administrative Office of the Courts AOC-E-400, español, página 2 de 2, rev. 3/07 © 2007 Oficina Administrativa de los Tribunales POR FAVOR LLENE LA VERSIÓN EN INGLÉS DE ESTE FORMULARIO OATH OF EXECUTOR JURAMENTO COMO ALBACEA TESTAMENTARIO I swear affirm that I believe this paper writing to be and contain the Last Will and Testament of the above named decedent; and that I will well and truly execute the same by first paying the decedent’s debts and then the decedent’s legacies; as far as the said estate shall extend or the law shall charge me; and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of an executor, agreeably to the trust and confidence reposed in me, and according to law; so help me, God. and this is my solemn affirmation. Juro Afirmo que creo que este documento escrito es la Última voluntad y testamento del difunto arriba mencionado y contiene los mismos; y que los ejecutaré bien y fielmente al pagar primero las deudas del difunto y luego sus legados; hasta el alcance de dicho patrimonio o hasta donde me instruya la ley; y que ejecutaré bien y fielmente la función de albacea testamentario de manera que concuerde con la confianza que en mi descansa y de acuerdo con la ley; que Dios me ayude. y así afirmo solemnemente. OATH OF ADMINISTRATOR CTA JURAMENTO COMO ALBACEA DE OFICIO I swear affirm that I believe this paper writing to be and contain the Last Will and Testament of the above named decedent; and that I will well and truly execute the same by first paying the decedent’s debts and then the decedent’s legacies, as far as the said estate shall extend or the law shall charge me; and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of an administrator cta to the best of my skill and ability and according to the law; so help me, God. and this is my solemn affirmation. Juro Afirmo que creo que este documento escrito es la Última voluntad y testamento del difunto arriba mencionado y contiene los mismos; y que los ejecutaré bien y fielmente al pagar primero las deudas del difunto y luego sus legados; hasta el alcance de dicho patrimonio o hasta donde me instruya la ley; y que ejecutaré bien y fielmente la función de albacea de oficio a mi leal saber y entender y de acuerdo con la ley; que Dios me ayude. y afirmo solemnemente. OATH OF FIDUCIARY JURAMENTO COMO FIDUCIARIO I swear affirm that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties reposed in me according to the best of my skill and ability, and according to law; so help me, God. and this is my solemn affirmation. Juro Afirmo que cumpliré fiel y honradamente los deberes que en mí descansan a mi leal saber y entender y de acuerdo con la ley; que Dios me ayude. y así afirmo solemnemente. Name Of Fiduciary 1 Nombre del fiduciario 1 Name Of Fiduciary 2 Nombre del fiduciario 2 Signature Of Fiduciary Firma del fiduciario Signature Of Fiduciary Firma del fiduciario SWORN AFFIRMED AND SUBSCRIBED TO BEFORE ME JURADO AFIRMADO Y SUSCRITO ANTE MÍ SWORN AFFIRMED AND SUBSCRIBED TO BEFORE ME JURADO AFIRMADO Y SUSCRITO ANTE MÍ Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Fecha (mes/día/año) Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Fecha (mes/día/año) Signature Of Person Authorized To Administer Oaths Firma de la persona autorizada para tomar juramentos Signature Of Person Authorized To Administer Oaths Firma de la persona autorizada para tomar juramentos Deputy CSC Assistant CSC Clerk Of Superior Court Actuario auxiliar del TS Actuario asistente del TS Secretario del Tribunal Superior Notary Notario Date My Commission Expires (mm/dd/yyyy) Fecha en que vence mi comisión (mes/día/año) SEAL SELLO County Where Notarized Condado donde se notarizó Date My Commission Expires (mm/dd/yyyy) Fecha en que vence mi comisión (mes/día/año) County Where Notarized Condado donde se notarizó Notary Fedatario SEAL SELLO Original-File Original - expediente Deputy CSC Assistant CSC Clerk Of Superior Court Actuario auxiliar del TS Actuario asistente del TS Secretario del Tribunal Superior