According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), heirs’ property is defined as “family land that is jointly owned by descendants of a deceased person whose estate did not clear probate.” In other words, when the current owner of a property dies without a legally valid will, the property’s ownership is distributed equally to that person’s heirs. These individuals then become “tenants in common” who have identical rights and interests in the property.

This guide supports heirs’ property landowners in North Carolina. By sharing contextual information, debunking myths, and
pointing readers toward helpful organizations, this guide aims to put landowners on the path to securing their land and legacy.