Can I change the beneficiaries of my will after I die?

In North Carolina, generally speaking, beneficiaries of a will cannot be changed after someone dies. Once someone passes away, their estate goes through the process of probate, which is the legal process of administering the deceased’s assets. During probate, the will is read and the terms of the will must be followed. If the will states that certain people will receive the deceased’s assets, then those people are legally entitled to those assets. It’s important to understand that a will does not take effect until after death and the deceased cannot make any changes to the will after they die. If the deceased wishes to change beneficiaries after their death, they can execute a “post-mortem amendment” to the will. This document must be properly executed in order to be valid. The post-mortem amendment must identify the original document being amended and must clearly state the changes desired. It must also be witnessed by two witnesses and notarized. Not all states allow post-mortem amendments, so it is important to check with an attorney in your state to understand if such amendments are allowed. In summary, while it isn’t easy to make changes to a will after death, it is not impossible. If the details of the will need to be changed, it is important to consult an experienced attorney to determine the best course of action.

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