The Quill – November 2022

We are thankful for YOU! Barristers Title is very happy to announce that because of you we were able to donate $6,295.53 – a portion of every order we received in October – to Earlier.org! We have now donated over $56,000 to Earlier.org since beginning this partnership. Wow!

So Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! We were able to do something together last month that is so much bigger than us and we could not have done it without your support. We are truly honored to have such amazing customers!

THE QUILL TIP:

MORE ON ESTATES: Reopening Administration

TIP: If the personal representative fails to perform a necessary act prior to an estate being settled and prior to being discharged from his/her/their duties, the estate should be reopened to reappoint the executor to perform the necessary act.

We recently received a request to insure several tracts of land located in NC that would become a part of an assemblage project. One tract was heir property…with a twist! The owner of the land died testate over 20 years ago. The testator’s probated will stated the following, “I authorize and direct my Executors to sell my real estate located at [address redacted] for such price and upon such terms as they in their sole discretion shall deem reasonable….The proceeds therefrom shall be distributed according to my residuary clause hereunder.” The residuary clause devised and bequeathed the residuary estate to the testator’s children. During the administration of the estate, the executors were properly appointed. While the testator’s intent seemed clear, the executors did not sell the property during the administration of the estate. The estate was timely closed and had been closed just over 20 years prior to the current transaction.

Questions from our customer: Does the will give the two executors the power to convey? If so, are the executors fully empowered to convey now, given the status of the estate?

The Company agreed to insure a deed from the executors, if the estate was reopened and the executors, who were thankfully still living and available to execute a deed, were reappointed by the clerk, pursuant to NCGS 28A-23-5.

–Natasha N Branch, Operations Manager and Title Counsel

BARRISTERS TITLE TEAM BUILDING

At The Whitewater Center

This is the perfect time of year for some team building, don’t you think? The Barristers team recently spent an afternoon at the Whitewater Center for a little r and r. This was an extra special time because it was the first time the entire team was together in person since the Fidelity-Charlotte and Barristers Title Services offices combined in January 2022. We are grateful for our amazing team and really enjoyed the time together outside of the office!

GET TO KNOW SARAH FUENTES

{A Day In The Life Addition}

1. Favorite Breakfast? Something I didn’t make, delivered to me in bed 😊. I usually skip breakfast, but yogurt and fruit with a muffin and jam is pretty amazing.
2. Coffee vs Tea? Tea, 100% of the time. I don’t drink coffee.
3. Do you prefer working from home or in an office? I like both, but if I’m not super busy, I prefer to be at home.
4. Dinner at the table or on the couch? Table, I like to eat sitting upright.
5. What is your favorite dessert? Something with chocolate and berries.
6. What are you currently watching? I just finished a Bridgerton rewatch, and now I’m watching House of the Dragon.
7. If you had one free hour in your day, what would you do? Read or play video games.
8. Are you a morning person or night owl? I like to sleep. I’d rather stay up late than be up early.
9. What is your bedtime? 10:30pm -11pm.
10. Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that we may not know. I usually read 3-4 books a week, they’re not usually great works of literature. It can either be an e-book, audiobook, or good old-fashioned paperback. 

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!

Our 2022 Holiday video card is in the works and we can’t wait to unveil it next month! If you’ve missed our Holiday videos in the past you will definitely want to go back and watch them. Check out last year’s Holiday Movie Trailer-themed video. This one is definitely one of our favorites!

FREE On Demand CLE’s Available

Click HERE to access the full library and to view at your convenience.

There are now 6 new (7 total) CLE’s available for viewing. All webinars are FREE and approved for CLE & CPE credit by the North Carolina State Bar.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From Our Table to Yours

THE QUILL RIDDLE

Last Month’s Riddle Answer

Q. A zombie, a mummy and a ghost bought a house. It has all the usual rooms except for one. What room won’t you find?

A. A living room.