Serves Wayne County and neighboring Duplin, Greene, Johnston, Lenoir, Sampson, and Wilson counties from Goldsboro, where the firm has practiced since 1968. John C. Hine and Mark J. Hale Jr. are North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Estate Planning and Probate Law; the practice covers estate and trust administration for executors and trustees, guardianship, and will disputes.
Goldsboro is in Wayne County.
Probate in Wayne County
Probate Court Record
Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court
Wayne County · Superior Court District 9B
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
224 East Walnut Street, Room 230, Goldsboro, NC 27530
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Wayne County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Wayne County? →Settling an estate in Wayne County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in North Carolina
Free North Carolina forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for North Carolina.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in North Carolina
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in North Carolina: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in North Carolina happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeN.C.G.S. § 36C-1-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In North Carolina, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 36C-7-708, 32-54, 32-55, 32-56, 32-57, 32-58, 32-60Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in North Carolina: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysN.C.G.S. §§ 28A-20-1, 28A-20-3, 28A-20-4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNCGS §§ 28A-14-1, 28A-19-1, 28A-19-3, 28A-19-6, 28A-19-16Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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