North Carolina Probate Form AOC-E-904M

Order Of Summary Administration

Everything you need to know about North Carolina Form AOC-E-904M, including helpful tips, fast facts & deadlines, how to fill it out, where to submit it and other related NC probate forms.

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About Order Of Summary Administration

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.

Order Of Summary Administration 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 Order Of Summary Administration

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Order Of Summary Administration:

  • This form pertains to the State of North Carolina

  • The relevant probate statute or North Carolina laws related to this form include: 28A-28-1 et. seq.

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-904M - Order Of Summary Administration up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

How to file Form AOC-E-904M

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-904M, 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-904M 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-904M 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 Order Of Summary Administration 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?

👉 Find and Contact your Local Probate Court

👉 What is a Domicile Jurisdiction?

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When Order Of Summary Administration is due

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-904M 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-904M, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

How to Download, Open, and Edit Form AOC-E-904M Online

Order Of Summary Administration 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-904M - Order Of Summary Administration 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.

Order Of Summary Administration 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.

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Did you know?

  • Form AOC-E-904M - Order Of Summary Administration is a probate form in North Carolina.

  • North Carolina has multiple types of probate and the necessary forms depend on the unique aspects of each estate, such as type and value of assets, whether there was a valid will, who is serving as the personal representative or executor, and even whether or not they also live in North Carolina.

  • During probate, all personal representatives and executives in are required to submit a detailed inventory of assets that must separate non-probate assets from probate assets.

  • Probate in North Carolina, especially without guidance, can take years to finish and cost upwards of $14,000.

Frequently Asked Questions about Order Of Summary Administration

Probate is the government’s way of making sure that when a person dies, the right stuff goes to the right people (including the taxes the government wants).

All of that stuff is collectively known as someone’s “estate”, and it’s the job of the executor or personal representative to fill out all the forms and complete all the required steps to formally dissolve the estate. 

To get instant clarity on the entire probate process and get an idea of the steps, timeline, and best practices, read the Atticus Beginner’s Guide to Probate

The best place? Create an account in Atticus to start getting estate-specific advice. 

You may need a lawyer, you may not, and paying for one when you didn’t need it really hurts. Atticus makes sure you make  the best decisions (plus you can write it off as an executor expense).

We’ve also created a list of other probate services. Be sure to check it out!

An executor is named in someone’s will, and if the deceased didn’t have a will, then the spouse or other close family relative usually steps up to fulfill the role. If no one wants to do it, then a judge will appoint someone. 

The executor is responsible for the complete management of the probate process, including major responsibilities such as:

  • Creating an inventory of all probate assets.

  • Filling out all necessary forms

  • Paying off all estate debts and taxes

  • Submitting reports to the court and beneficiaries as requested

And much more. This process often stretches longer than a year. 

For an idea of what separates executors who succeed from those who make this way harder than it should be, visit our article, Executors of an Estate:
What they do & secrets to succeeding
.

The Exact Text on Form AOC-E-904M

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on North Carolina Form AOC-E-904M - Order Of Summary Administration. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

Deputy CSC Assistant CSC Clerk Of Superior Court The Court notes that under G.S. 28A-28-5, the person paying, delivering, transferring or issuing property or evidence thereof pursuant to this Order is discharged and released to the same extent as if the person dealt with a duly qualified personal representative of the decedent's estate. If any person to whom the order is presented refuses to pay, deliver, transfer, or issue any property or evidence thereof, the property may be recovered in an action brought for that purpose by the petitioner/spouse, and the court costs and attorney's fees incident to the action shall be taxed against the person whose refusal made the action necessary. Assistant CSC Clerk Of Superior Court STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA File No. The Court, in the exercise of its jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the administration of estates, finds that the Petition For Order Of Summary Administration, and supporting evidence, if any, comply with the requirements of G.S. 28A-28-2, and that the above named petitioner/spouse is entitled to summary administration. Based upon these findings, the Court orders that the estate listed above be administered in accordance with Article 28 of Chapter 28A of the General Statutes of North Carolina, that no further or other administration of the estate is necessary, that the above named petitioner/spouse is fully authorized by the laws of North Carolina to receive, administer, and dispose of all of the assets belonging to the estate, including but not limited to wages and salary of the decedent, accounts and deposits in financial institutions, ownership rights in stocks and securities, the title and license to any motor vehicle registered to the decedent, and the right to convey, lease, sell or mortgage any real estate devised to or inherited by the petitioner from the decedent, and that the above named petitioner/spouse, to the extent of the value of the property received by the petitioner/spouse under the will of the decedent or by intestate succession, assumes all liabilities of the decedent that were not discharged by reason of death, and assumes liability for all taxes and valid claims against decedent or against the estate. CERTIFICATION I certify that this is a true and complete copy of the original Order Of Summary Administration on file in this office. Signature Date Signature Of Presiding Official EX OFFICIO JUDGE OF PROBATE SEAL Name Of Presiding Official (Type Or Print) Date County Will Admitted To ProbateFile No. Telephone No.Name And Address Of Attorney, If Any Legal Residence (County, State) Telephone No. AOC-E-904M, New 2/96 © 1997 Administrative Office of the Courts In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Before The Clerk County IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: ORDER OF SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION G.S. 28A-28-1 et. seq. Film No. Name And Mailing Address Of Petitioner/Spouse Name Of Decedent

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