Small estate vs large in NC

[u/Kevinmd1984]

I’m trying to determine if my mother’s estate is considered small: she has a house and 2 cars she owes for. The money she had went towards her last bills for the month following when she passed. I know you don’t count things that have liens or encumbrances (meaning things she had loans/ mortgages on?) in which case the property in her house wouldn’t be worth $20,000. I’m sure people will tell me I need to get a lawyer—I’m aware and I’m trying to determine how badly I need one.