Harnett County, NC Consumer Law

Tools and Resources for Harnett County, NC Consumers

North Carolina Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• North Carolina PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Harnett County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in North Carolina) for Harnett County.
• How Probate Works in North Carolina: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Harnett County's probate court.
  • Here are links to North Carolina probate forms from the North Carolina probate court website.
• Small Estates Procedures in North Carolina: Learn how to use North Carolina's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In North Carolina, you can use an Affidavit if the value of the estate, less liens or encumbrances, doesn't exceed $20,000 ($30,000, not counting the spousal allowance, if the surviving spouse is the sole heir.) There is a 30-day waiting period.

    N.C. Gen. Stat. 28A-25-1 and following.

    There is a summary probate proceeding available if the surviving spouse inherits everything.

    N.C. Gen. Stat. 28A-28-1 and following.

• North Carolina Estate Taxes:

  • North Carolina, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in North Carolina. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

  • Unlike some other states, North Carolina does not offer simple easy ways to transfer real estate without probate. Devices such as Transfer on Dead Deeds are not available in North Carolina. Although there has been recent legislation to enact them in North Carolina.

    NOTE: There are several AI generated websites that incorrectly state that North Carolina allows TODDs. That is not correct as of April 2024. 

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North Carolina Wage & Hour Law

• North Carolina Minimum Wage:  

  • Currently the minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 an hour. But this is all an employer must pay its employees by statute pursuant to the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act (WHA). 

  • Visit https://www.labor.nc.gov/workplace-rights/employee-rights-regarding-time-worked-and-wages-earned/minimum-wage-nc to learn more about the minimum wage in North Carolina.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in North Carolina and whether they apply to you.

  • If you work more than 40 hours in a workweek, your employer must pay you 1-1/2 times your regular hourly wage for each overtime hour you work, unless you are exempt. To learn more about North Carolina's overtime rules and exemptions, see Overtime Pay, Salary and Comp Time, at the website of the North Carolina Department of Labor. 

• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in North Carolina. 

  • The North Carolina Department of Labor has posted information on how to file a wage claim at its website. 

• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in North Carolina.

  • In North Carolina, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

• State Labor Board:
  • Learn more about your rights under North Carolina law from the North Carolina Department of Labor. 800-625-2267

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North Carolina Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in North Carolina: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • In North Carolina, unemployment benefits range from $15 per week to $350 per week.
  • Formula:

    In North Carolina, you can calculate your weekly benefit by adding up your wages in the last two quarters of the base period and dividing that amount by 52. If your weekly benefit amount is less than $15, you won't receive any benefits. 

  • Duration:

    In North Carolina, the duration of benefits depends on the state's unemployment rate when you apply. The maximum period for which you may receive benefits is 12 to 20 weeks. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in North Carolina.
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• Free North Carolina MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for Harnett County (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Free North Carolina BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under North Carolina law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
• North Carolina BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Child Custody & Family Courts in North Carolina 

• State Standards For Custody Decisions: How North Carolina Courts make child custody decisions
• Family Court for Harnett County: Harnett County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
• Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
• Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

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North Carolina Obamacare

• Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance in North Carolina!
• Is Health Insurance Mandatory in North Carolina? Learn about whether North Carolina imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
• Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
• Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for Harnett County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

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Democracy In North Carolina, Harnett County, Dunn 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Harnett County, NC.
• Gerrymandering in North Carolina: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

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Find a Lawyer in Harnett County, NC

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

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