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Cabarrus County, NC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Cabarrus County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Clerk of Superior Court, Cabarrus County. The clerk is the ex officio judge of probate for estate matters. |
| Courthouse address | Cabarrus County Courthouse, 61 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. Payments and counter business are handled in Room 104. |
| Mailing address | Cabarrus County Courthouse, PO Box 70, Concord, NC 28026. If mailing a payment, use PO Box 70, Concord, NC 28026-0070, ATTN: Bookkeeping. |
| Phone | (704) 262-5500. Cabarrus publishes this as both the courthouse main number and the Clerk of Superior Court number. No separate Estates line is published. |
| Fax | No clerk fax number is published for Cabarrus County. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is published. |
| Opening cost | For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap under the same statute. |
| Payment methods | By mail, money order or certified check only, payable to Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court. No cash, personal checks or credit cards by mail. In person, cash, credit or debit card with processing fees, money order or certified check. No personal checks. |
| Local forms | No Cabarrus estate checklist, local estate cover sheet or local estate form is published. Use the statewide North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms. |
| e-filing | eCourts is live in all 100 North Carolina counties, including Cabarrus. Attorneys are required to use File & Serve. Self-represented filers may use File & Serve but should call the clerk about paper steps, especially an original will. |
| Case search | Use statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. There is no Cabarrus-only case search site. If an estate file does not appear, call the clerk. |
| Remote appearance | State law permits audio and video proceedings, but Cabarrus publishes no remote practice for qualifying for letters or other estate steps before the clerk. Cabarrus does publish superior civil WebEx practice for matters such as a will caveat after they are in civil Superior Court. |
| Courthouse technology | An eCourts public access kiosk was deployed to the Cabarrus County Courthouse beginning in June 2025, with access to Portal, File & Serve and Guide & File, plus scanner, printer and payment services. |
| Website | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/cabarrus-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Cabarrus filing path, list the will, the known accounts, vehicles, debts, real estate and any property that may need to be sold or retitled. The clerk will expect an application, a preliminary inventory, a certified death certificate and the will if there is one, and the right choice depends on the asset and liability picture.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help you look beyond the obvious checking account. Sunset can search across more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, organize what you find, and turn that information into a probate packet you can take to the Cabarrus clerk or review with a North Carolina attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Cabarrus County estate filings go to the Clerk of Superior Court at the Cabarrus County Courthouse in Concord. The Judicial Branch publishes one court location for Cabarrus County, so do not look for a branch filing office in another community.
Venue for a North Carolina estate is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in North Carolina, venue can be a county where the decedent left property or where estate property later came (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1). Cabarrus communities include Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Mount Pleasant and Georgeville, but Kannapolis crosses the Cabarrus and Rowan county line, so confirm the decedent's county of domicile before filing.
The jurisdiction process
- Start with the will and the asset list. Decide whether the estate needs full administration, collection by affidavit, summary administration or another statewide path, then use the Cabarrus venue rule only after you know the decedent was domiciled in Cabarrus County or left qualifying property there (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1).
- Choose the correct statewide estate form. Use AOC-E-201 for an estate with a will, AOC-E-202 for an estate without a will, AOC-E-203B to open a collection by affidavit, AOC-E-505 for the inventory and AOC-E-506 for accounts. Cabarrus does not publish a separate estate packet.
- Call the Cabarrus clerk at (704) 262-5500 before traveling to Concord. Cabarrus publishes no booking link and no walk-in policy for opening an estate, and the clerk can tell you how the office wants an original will delivered.
- Prepare for courthouse entry. Cell phones and similar electronic devices are prohibited in the Cabarrus County Courthouse unless authorized. If you need a device for clerk business, ask the bailiffs at the front door or use the county's Application for One-Time Electronic Device Entry Permit at least three business days ahead.
- File at the Clerk of Superior Court, Room 104, 61 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025, or mail to the courthouse P.O. Box. Bring or send the will if there is one, a certified death certificate, the application, the preliminary inventory and the court costs.
- Pay with an accepted Cabarrus method. For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap under the same statute. By mail, use a money order or certified check. In person, the clerk accepts cash, card with processing fees, money order or certified check. No personal checks.
- After the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, give required notice to creditors, collect assets, keep receipts and pay valid claims in the proper order. If you need Portal, File & Serve, Guide & File, scanning or printing while at the courthouse, ask about the public eCourts kiosk.
- File the inventory and later accounts on the statewide forms. If the estate becomes contested, if a caveat is filed, or if the matter moves into civil Superior Court, Cabarrus's superior civil calendaring and WebEx rules may apply to that separate court track.
- Close the estate by filing the required final account or closing document with the clerk after administration is complete and all court costs due under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307 have been paid.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County does not publish a local estate checklist, local estate cover sheet or local estate form. Estate filings use the statewide North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms, filtered to Estate (E).
| Form | Use in Cabarrus County |
|---|---|
| AOC-E-201 | Application for probate and letters testamentary or administration CTA when there is a will. |
| AOC-E-202 | Application for letters of administration when there is no will. |
| AOC-E-203B | Affidavit for collection of personal property of decedent. This opens the collection by affidavit path. |
| AOC-E-204 | Affidavit of collection, disbursement and distribution. This closes a collection by affidavit. |
| AOC-E-505 | Inventory for decedent's estate. |
| AOC-E-506 | Account for annual or final accounting. |
| AOC-E-905 and AOC-E-906 | Summary administration forms, depending on whether there is a will. |
| AOC-E-100 | Petition and assignment year's allowance. Use the form page rather than a saved PDF because the form is versioned by date of death. |
Local nuance
Cabarrus County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Cabarrus filing |
|---|---|
| One clerk phone line | Cabarrus publishes (704) 262-5500 as both the courthouse main number and the Clerk of Superior Court number, with no separate Estates extension. |
| Room 104 counter | Payments and counter business are handled in Room 104 of the Cabarrus County Courthouse, marked by a red sign over the door. |
| Different mailing address | Use 61 Union Street South for an in-person visit. Use PO Box 70, Concord, NC 28026 for mail, and PO Box 70, Concord, NC 28026-0070, ATTN: Bookkeeping, if a payment is enclosed. |
| Payment rules | By mail, use a money order or certified check only. In person, cash, card with processing fees, money order or certified check are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted. |
| Electronic devices order | Cell phones, tablets, cameras and similar devices are prohibited unless authorized. A self-represented filer who needs a device for clerk business can ask at the front door or use the one-time entry permit process at least three business days ahead. |
| eCourts kiosk | A public kiosk was deployed to the Cabarrus County Courthouse beginning in June 2025 for Portal, File & Serve, Guide & File, scanning, printing and payment services. |
| No local estate forms | The county's local rules and forms page contains civil, district, domestic and juvenile materials, but no estate checklist, local estate cover sheet or local estate form. |
| Will caveat calendaring | Cabarrus superior civil local rules effective January 1, 2026 name a will caveat as a matter begun other than by complaint. The filing party must send the pleading and a filed calendar request to the court coordinator right away, and the matter is then scheduled like a civil superior case. |
Recent updates
| Date | Cabarrus County change |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | An eCourts public access kiosk was deployed to the Cabarrus County Courthouse, with on-site access to Portal, File & Serve and Guide & File, plus scanner, printer and payment services. |
| August 1, 2025 | An administrative order on electronic devices took effect for the Cabarrus County Courthouse, prohibiting cell phones and similar devices and setting out how a self-represented person may seek permission to bring one in. |
| January 1, 2026 | New Local Rules of Practice for Superior Civil Cases took effect in Cabarrus County, including calendaring and remote-hearing practice for civil Superior Court sessions and matters such as will caveats. |
| July 29, 2026 | Cabarrus County updated its published WebEx virtual courtroom links for Cabarrus County Superior Court. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Cabarrus path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home was titled and whether any assets still require action through the Cabarrus clerk in Concord. If the spouse is the sole beneficiary or sole heir, a statewide summary administration path may fit, but the clerk still handles the filing. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and title questions before the spouse calls or visits Room 104, then organizes the estate settlement documents for review. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call (704) 262-5500 before traveling, because Cabarrus publishes no appointment rule and no original-will delivery method. If the statewide collection by affidavit path fits, use AOC-E-203B and plan for the same statutory court cost structure under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307. | Sunset helps locate accounts, prepare the packet, and flag when a North Carolina attorney should review bond, creditor or out-of-state representative issues. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale or title issue involving Cabarrus real property usually pushes the family toward full administration or legal advice before filing. If a dispute or caveat arises, the matter may move into civil Superior Court and the Cabarrus superior civil calendaring rules may apply. | Sunset helps build the asset list, organize debts and documents, and connect the family with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney when real property or contested issues make counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court, Cabarrus County | The filing counter for Cabarrus estate matters. Staff can explain what to bring and how to contact the clerk, but cannot give legal advice. | 61 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025, Room 104. Mailing: PO Box 70, Concord, NC 28026. Phone (704) 262-5500. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/cabarrus-county |
| Cabarrus County contact directory | The Judicial Branch list of courthouse contacts for Cabarrus County. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/cabarrus-county/contact-directory |
| Cabarrus County payment information | Explains what the clerk accepts by mail and in person, and identifies Room 104 as the counter for payments and counter business. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/cabarrus-county/cabarrus-county-payment-information |
| Cabarrus County local rules and forms | Includes the electronic devices order and the Application for One-Time Electronic Device Entry Permit. It does not include a Cabarrus estate form packet. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/cabarrus-county/cabarrus-county-local-rules-and-forms |
| North Carolina Judicial Branch estates help topic | Plain-language court guidance on wills, letters, what to bring to the clerk and related estate questions. | https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/wills-and-estates/estates |
| Decedent's estate procedures pamphlet | Administrative Office of the Courts overview for executors, administrators, collectors by affidavit and summary administration. | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/publications/decedents-estate-procedures-pamphlet |
| Statewide estate forms | The form library used for Cabarrus estate filings. Filter to Estate (E). | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms |
| Portal | Statewide case and hearing search, and online payment where a case is eligible. | https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ |
| Guide & File | Free guided document preparation. The Judicial Branch lists it for year's allowance, summary administration and small estate administration, and it is reachable from the Cabarrus courthouse kiosk. | https://northcarolina.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina, Charlotte office | Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents in its service area, which includes Cabarrus. Ask at intake whether an estate question fits their help areas. | 5525 Albemarle Road, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28212. Phone (704) 594-8662. Statewide helpline 1-866-219-5262. Senior Legal Helpline 1-877-579-7562. https://legalaidnc.org/get-help/offices/ |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a North Carolina probate attorney when Cabarrus real property must be sold or title must be cleared through the estate, when heirs disagree, when a caveat is threatened, when creditors press claims, when the personal representative lives out of state and bond questions arise, or when the issue is one the clerk cannot decide and the case belongs in the Superior Court Division (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-2-4). North Carolina does not bar a non-attorney personal representative from handling an estate, but legal advice can prevent expensive mistakes. Sunset connects families with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families find bank accounts, investments, insurance and other assets that are easy to miss during estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information you enter into organized documents and next-step checklists for the Cabarrus clerk's office or for attorney review.
Find a local probate attorney. When a home must be sold, a caveat is possible, creditors are active or the family needs advice before filing in Concord, Sunset can connect you with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. If you choose to hire an attorney, the attorney's own fee arrangement is separate.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Cabarrus County?
File with the Clerk of Superior Court at the Cabarrus County Courthouse, 61 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. Payments and counter business are handled in Room 104. Venue usually depends on the county where the decedent was domiciled at death (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1).
Is there a separate Estates phone number for Cabarrus County?
No separate Estates line is published. The Judicial Branch lists (704) 262-5500 as both the courthouse main number and the Clerk of Superior Court number.
Does Cabarrus County require an appointment to open an estate?
Cabarrus publishes no booking link and no walk-in policy for opening an estate. Call (704) 262-5500 before traveling to Concord to ask what the clerk wants you to do that day.
Can I e-file an estate case in Cabarrus County?
eCourts is live in all 100 North Carolina counties, including Cabarrus. Attorneys are required to use File & Serve. Self-represented filers may use File & Serve, but Cabarrus does not publish how an original will must be delivered, so call the clerk before relying on an online filing alone.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Cabarrus County?
For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap under the same statute. Cabarrus adds no county surcharge.
What payment methods does the Cabarrus clerk accept?
By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court. Do not mail cash, personal checks or credit cards. In person, the clerk accepts cash, credit or debit card with processing fees, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Can I bring my phone into the Cabarrus County Courthouse?
Cell phones and similar devices are prohibited unless authorized. If you need a device for clerk business, ask the bailiffs at the front door or use the county's Application for One-Time Electronic Device Entry Permit at least three business days ahead.
Can I appear remotely for a Cabarrus estate matter?
Cabarrus does not publish a remote appearance practice for estate matters before the clerk. State law permits audio and video proceedings, and Cabarrus publishes remote-hearing rules for civil Superior Court matters such as a will caveat, but you should ask the clerk what is available for your specific estate matter.
How do I look up a Cabarrus estate case?
Use statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ for case and hearing search. If an estate file does not appear or you cannot complete the online search, call the Cabarrus clerk at (704) 262-5500.
Does Cabarrus County have local probate forms?
No. Cabarrus does not publish a local estate packet, checklist or estate cover sheet. Use the statewide Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms, filtered to Estate (E).
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.