When families in North Carolina lose a loved one, the last thing they want is to be tangled in legal red tape. Yet, when real estate isn’t placed in a trust or covered by a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed, that’s exactly what happens. The property is forced through probate court. Probate delays inheritance, creates added costs, and places extra stress on grieving families. The good news? With the right planning, you can keep your family home out of probate and make sure it passes smoothly to the people you love most.