Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and pensions are more than numbers on a statement—they represent years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. But what many North Carolina families don’t realize is that without proper planning, those same accounts could get stuck in probate court after you pass away. Probate is slow, public, and stressful for your loved ones. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to keep your retirement savings protected, your beneficiaries in control, and your family out of court. Let me introduce you to David—a father who thought he had everything handled, until his brother’s probate battle changed everything.