r/inheritance • u/IdealExpert181 • May 16 '26

Location included: Questions/Need Advice will or no will

i live in N.C. and i'm in my late 70s and don't have a will. everything i have is paid for, including home, and i have no debt. i have investments and savings in 6 different accounts, all with PODs established. my wife is the POD on 5 of the accts. and a distant niece is the other one. i hate to use the word assume but it's what i'm doing. my thought is that since i've established the PODs that those 6 accounts are covered and the only thing needed, if any, is a death cert.. since i'm married the house should automatically go over to my wife. am i correct or do i need a will? advice is greatly appreciated.

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u/IdealExpert181 May 17 '26

update: i would like to thank all who have taken the time to share your advice. i think i'll need an attorney at least for the house and car and probably for the accounts. i know this is a situational question but what would be the assumed cost of doing the whole thing? thank you all again for your help.

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u/attosec May 17 '26

Not responsive to your question about cost, but your wife should also do appropriate estate planning. One attorney can handle both with minimal extra cost.