# Estate Tax in Raleigh Probate Cases | Federal Payments on Assets

[Call Now Click Here](tel:919-659-8433)

Click [HERE](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/) to speak with NC’s trusted statewide Estate Planning, Probate, and Special Needs Planning Law Firm!

# ESTATE TAX IN RALEIGH PROBATE CASES

Helping You Protect What Matters Most.      900+    Google Reviews     [Take Our Quick Planning Quiz](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/) Or Call [919-659-8433](tel:919-659-8433)                      Estate Tax in Raleigh Probate Cases

Above everything else, the first role of an executor in a Raleigh estate is to ensure the full payment of the decedent’s debts. This can include credit card bills, medical debts, and even tax liabilities. However, in certain situations, the mere fact that a death has occurred can result in the creation of a new…

[Take Our Quick Planning Quiz](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/)

## Quick Answer

Table of Contents

Toggle

Above everything else, the first role of an executor in a Raleigh [estate](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning/probate-lawyer/opening-an-estate/) is to ensure the full payment of the decedent’s debts. This can include credit card bills, medical debts, and even tax liabilities.

However, in certain situations, the mere fact that a death has occurred can result in the creation of a new debt. Many states and the federal government levy an estate tax upon a person’s death. This creates a new tax liability that the estate’s executor must pay before distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Fortunately, a combination of state and federal laws ensures that few estates will need to pay this an estate tax in Raleigh probate cases. If you have questions about how this could impact the distribution of your assets, a [knowledgeable attorney](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning/probate-lawyer/) can clarify the relevant state and federal laws and determine if an executor needs to pay these taxes before distributing your assets.

## Does North Carolina have an Estate Tax?

Traditionally, many states in the country take a portion of a person’s estate after death. This estate tax has always been controversial and has been the target of many political groups over the past few years. Fortunately for Raleigh’s residents, South Carolina government decided to repeal the estate tax in 2013.

This ex-post-facto law applied to all deaths that occurred on or after January 1, 2013. This means that any person currently crafting an [estate plan](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning/) does not need to worry about the state taking a cut of their assets upon death. Additionally, [executors](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning/estate-administration-lawyer/) currently performing their duties will be unlikely to have to pay any funds to the state in the form of an estate tax. An attorney in Raleigh can provide more information about this repeal and put people’s minds to ease concerning the payment of a state estate tax.

## Federal Estate Tax Requirements

Just as many states still demand a portion of an estate’s value after death, the federal government has not hesitated to collect its due. However, many of the same momenta that led to the abolition of the state estate tax has severely hampered the federal estate tax.

The [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax) will take notice of the value of an estate after a person’s death, this includes all cash, real estate, personal assets, and financial holdings on an estate. Based off this value, the federal government will determine whether an estate tax applies.

Notably, few estates will need to pay a federal estate tax. For deaths occurring in 2020, only estates with a value of at least $11,580,000 will need to provide payment to the federal government. In 2021, this benchmark will rise to $11,700,000. The amount of this payment will vary from 18 to 40 percent of the estate’s value. As a rule, the percentage will rise as the value of the estate climbs. An attorney in Raleigh can help to determine if the executor of an estate must make these payments and in what amount.

## Discuss Estate Taxes in Probate Cases with a Raleigh Attorney

The sway of public opinion has led to the downfall of the estate tax as the concept of paying money to the government because of a death has fallen out of favor at both the state and federal level.

As a result, most executors and testators need not concern themselves with the concept of an estate tax. However, our experienced attorneys can provide you with more information if you have further questions about estate tax in Raleigh probate cases. [Give us a call](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/) today to learn more.

## Schedule a consultation

[Take Our Quick Planning Quiz](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/)     900+    Google Reviews

## Schedule a consultation

900+    Google Reviews

## How We Help North Carolina Families

CARY    RALEIGH      [Estate Planning](https://caryestateplanning.com/) [WILLS](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-wills-lawyer/) [TRUSTS](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-trusts-lawyer/) [PROBATE](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-probate-lawyer/) [ELDER LAW & MEDICAID PLANNING](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-medicaid-planning-lawyer/) [SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING](https://caryestateplanning.com/special-needs-trusts/) [POWER OF ATTORNEY](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-power-of-attorney-lawyer/) [GUARDIANSHIP](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-guardianship-lawyer/) [ESTATE ADMINISTRATION](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-estate-administration-lawyer/) [FINANCIAL PLANNING](https://caryestateplanning.com/cary-financial-planning/)     [Estate Planning](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning-lawyer/) [WILLS](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning-lawyer/raleigh-wills-lawyer/) [TRUSTS](https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning-lawyer/raleigh-trusts-lawyer/)     PROBATE      ELDER LAW & MEDICAID PLANNING      SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING      POWER OF ATTORNEY      GUARDIANSHIP      ESTATE ADMINISTRATION      FINANCIAL PLANNING         Cary Office     [1255 Crescent Green,
STE 200, Cary, NC 27518](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10586265549256419209)   900+    Google Reviews   [Take Our Quick Planning Quiz](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/)     Raleigh Office     [9121 Anson Way Suite
235, Raleigh, NC 27615](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14359503740153328567)   900+    Google Reviews   [Take Our Quick Planning Quiz](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/)

## Trusted Estate Planning
Attorney Offices in Cary and Raleigh

Serving all of North Carolina    Cary Office 1255 Crescent Green,
STE 200, Cary, NC 27518 [Get Directions](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10586265549256419209)   Raleigh Office 9121 Anson Way Suite
235, Raleigh, NC 27615 [Get Directions](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14359503740153328567)

Capability to meet virtually to help all NC residents

[919-659-8433](tel:919-659-8433)  [Contact Us Now](https://caryestateplanning.com/contact-us/)

DISCLAIMER: The law firm of Cary Estate Planning cannot and does not represent you until our client intake process is completed. Further, we reserve the right to accept or decline to represent any person or organization in any matter. Nothing on this website should be considered legal advice.

Copyright © 2026 Cary Estate Planning. All Rights Reserved.  [Disclaimer](https://caryestateplanning.com/disclaimer/) [Privacy Policy](https://caryestateplanning.com/privacy-policy/) [Sitemap](https://caryestateplanning.com/sitemap/)            [Get Started](/contact-us/)        ×                  4.9     Based on 900+ reviews     900+    Google Reviews

### What best describes your current situation?

I don’t have an estate plan yet and want to get started      I have an estate plan but need to update it      A loved one has passed away and I need help with probate or estate administration      I’m looking for help with a specific issue (guardianship, special needs, Medicaid, etc.)      Other

### What’s most important to you right now?

Making sure my kids or family are taken care of if something happens to me      Protecting my assets from taxes, creditors, or unnecessary costs      Planning for a loved one with special needs or a disability      Navigating probate or settling a loved one’s estate      Updating my plan after a major life change (marriage, divorce, new child, retirement)

### Which of these applies to you? (Select all that apply)

I own a home or real estate      I own a business      I have investments, retirement accounts, or life insurance      I have children under 18      I have a child or loved one with special needs      I’m caring for aging parents (sandwich generation)      I’m approaching or in retirement      None of the above / just getting started

### Where are you located?

Cary / Western Wake County      Raleigh / Central Wake County      Chapel Hill / Orange County      Elsewhere in North Carolina      Outside North Carolina

---

Source: https://caryestateplanning.com/raleigh-estate-planning/probate-lawyer/estate-tax/
