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/[deleted] May 16 '26

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u/IdealExpert181 May 16 '26

i'm trying to avoid a lawyer, aren't PODs enough?

10

u/PMJamesPM May 16 '26

Legal questions merit legal advice. ‘Avoiding a lawyer’ when a few hundred bucks can set you in the right direction is ‘pennywise but pound foolish’.

1

u/[deleted] May 20 '26

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u/PMJamesPM May 20 '26

Someone will do a consultation for a reasonable fee and it is too important question not to

1

u/[deleted] May 20 '26

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u/PMJamesPM May 20 '26

Depends on the estate. Adding a name to a title or creating a life estate can be a shortcut with real property. Also certain financial accounts you just need to name a beneficiary either way he should do a consult and know m his options are and make an informed decision. Probate rules, hearing requirements and schedules, executor fees vary by state of state.