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Guilford County, NC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Guilford County details |
|---|---|
| Court and office | Clerk of Superior Court of Guilford County, estates section of the clerk's office |
| Primary courthouse | Guilford County Courthouse, 201 South Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27401 |
| Second courthouse | Guilford County Courthouse, High Point, 505 East Green Drive, High Point, NC 27262. Call before relying on High Point to open a decedent's estate. |
| Mailing addresses | Greensboro: PO Box 3008, Greensboro, NC 27402. High Point: PO Box 2434, High Point, NC 27261. |
| Phone | Greensboro clerk's line: (336) 412-7300. High Point clerk's line: (336) 822-6700. Guilford publishes no separate estates phone line. |
| Estates email | [email protected] |
| Fax | No clerk fax is published for Guilford estates. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk's office closes for lunch from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at both courthouses and closes for State Judicial Branch holidays. |
| Filing cost | Effective January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs, plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cumulative cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307). |
| Payment rules | By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court. Guilford does not accept personal checks. In person at the Greensboro clerk's office, the court accepts cash, card payments with processing fees, money orders and certified checks. |
| Local forms | No local form opens, administers or closes a Guilford decedent's estate. Guilford publishes a calendar request form that can include an estates case type if a matter is set for a superior court session. |
| E-filing | File and Serve is the statewide e-filing system. Attorneys use File and Serve. Self-represented filers may use it, but Guilford does not publish a county instruction for opening an estate through File and Serve or delivering an original will. |
| Case search | Portal is the statewide public case search: https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ . There is no separate Guilford case search site. |
| Remote appearance | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6 permits audio and video proceedings when handled by an approved method, but Guilford publishes no remote appearance practice for estate matters before the clerk. |
| Drop boxes | Both courthouses publish 24 hour clerk's drop boxes. Ask the clerk before placing an original will in a drop box. |
| Website | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Guilford filing path, identify the decedent's assets, debts, title documents and beneficiaries. In Guilford County, that preparation also means deciding whether your first contact should be the Greensboro estates email, the Greensboro clerk's counter or, after a phone call, the High Point clerk's counter.
Sunset can help with estate settlement preparation by searching more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you need before you contact the Guilford clerk.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Guilford County is served by one Clerk of Superior Court with offices at two courthouses: the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro and the Guilford County Courthouse in High Point. Greensboro is the county seat, the default Guilford filing location named in the county's court filing order and the address tied to the county's published estates mailbox.
Guilford County includes Greensboro and High Point, along with communities such as Jamestown, Stokesdale, Summerfield, Whitsett and parts of Archdale and Gibsonville. A Guilford estate is filed with the Guilford clerk of superior court when venue is proper in Guilford County. North Carolina venue for probate of a will and estate administration is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a nonresident, a county described by the property and nonresident rules in the statute (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1).
North Carolina does not have a separate probate court. The clerk of superior court has probate jurisdiction as ex officio judge of probate (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-2-1).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the correct statewide AOC estate form. Use AOC-E-201 when there is a will, AOC-E-202 when there is no will, AOC-E-203B for collection by affidavit, or the summary administration forms if that statewide path fits.
- Gather the will if there is one, a certified death certificate, a preliminary inventory, names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries, and payment that follows Guilford's rules. Do not mail a personal check.
- Plan the Guilford filing location. Greensboro is the county seat, the published estates email points to Greensboro and in-person payment is directed to the Greensboro clerk's office. If you want to use the High Point courthouse, call (336) 822-6700 first.
- File with the clerk of superior court. You may contact the estates section at [email protected]. If you are using File and Serve or have an original will, ask the clerk how the original paper will should be delivered before relying on mail or a drop box.
- Pay the court costs. Effective January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs, plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cumulative cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307).
- Qualify as the personal representative. If the clerk approves the application, the clerk issues letters testamentary to an executor when there is a will or letters of administration to an administrator when there is no will.
- Give required notices and handle creditor steps. The personal representative must follow North Carolina notice to creditors, inventory and accounting rules after qualification.
- Calendar any matter that needs court time. Guilford publishes no estates hearing day, but its local superior court calendar request form includes the E estates case type and allows a matter to be requested for Greensboro or High Point. The form states that court sessions start at 10:00 a.m.
- Ask before assuming a remote appearance. North Carolina law permits some proceedings by audio and video transmission, but Guilford publishes no remote appearance practice for estate matters before the clerk (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6).
- Administer and close the estate. Collect assets, pay proper claims and expenses, file the required inventory and accounts, and close the matter with the clerk when administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Guilford County
Guilford County uses the statewide North Carolina AOC estate forms. The county publishes no local form for opening, administering or closing a decedent's estate. Its local calendar request form can include an E estates case type if a matter is set for a superior court session, but it is not an opening form.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-E-201 | Application for probate and letters testamentary or letters of administration c.t.a. 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, the form that opens a collection by affidavit |
| AOC-E-204 | Affidavit of collection, disbursement and distribution, the form that closes a collection by affidavit |
| AOC-E-505 | Inventory for decedent's estate |
| AOC-E-506 | Account for annual and final accounting |
| AOC-E-905 | Application for probate and petition for summary administration when there is a will |
| AOC-E-906 | Petition for summary administration of estate without a will |
| AOC-E-100 | Petition and assignment year's allowance. Use the form landing page so the death date matches the current or prior version. |
| AOC-E-650 | Estates action cover sheet |
| AOC-E-102 | Estates proceedings summons when a summons is needed |
Statewide forms are available at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms . Filter to Estate (E) or search by form number.
Local nuance
Guilford County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Guilford estate |
|---|---|
| Two courthouses | Guilford has clerk's offices at both Greensboro and High Point. Greensboro is the county seat and the estates email is addressed to Greensboro. Call before relying on High Point to open an estate. |
| Lunch closure | Both clerk's offices close from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. A person arriving at 1:00 p.m. should expect the counter to be closed. |
| Estates email, not estates phone | Guilford publishes [email protected] as the estates contact. It publishes general clerk's phone lines for Greensboro and High Point, but no estates phone line. |
| Payment limits | Guilford does not accept personal checks. Mail payments by money order or certified check. In person at the Greensboro clerk's office, cash and cards are also listed, with processing fees on cards. |
| Drop boxes | Each courthouse has a 24 hour clerk's drop box. Because Guilford does not publish an instruction for original wills, ask the clerk before using a drop box for an original will. |
| Calendared estate matters | Guilford's superior court calendar request form includes the E estates case type, Greensboro Courtroom 3H and High Point Washington Courtroom 434, with sessions starting at 10:00 a.m. That is not a standing estates hearing schedule. |
Recent updates
| Date | Guilford County update |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | The North Carolina Judicial Branch announced eCourts public access kiosks for courthouses in eight counties, including Guilford. The announcement described on-site access to Portal, File and Serve and Guide and File, along with scanner, printer and payment services. It did not give a lobby location for either Guilford courthouse. |
| January 1, 2026 | Amended Guilford County superior court general rules took effect. Those rules are a county court administration change and do not create a local estate opening form. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Guilford path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start with the Greensboro estates email or Greensboro clerk's counter, and plan around the lunch closure. If the spouse is the sole devisee or heir, ask whether summary administration fits. If the home must be sold through the estate, expect a fuller administration path. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, title clues and beneficiary information before the spouse contacts the clerk or a lawyer. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Use the statewide collection by affidavit path if it fits, and ask Guilford how the filing can be delivered. Guilford publishes two mailing addresses, two drop boxes and an estates email, but it does not publish whether an estate can be opened without an in-person visit. | Sunset can organize the asset list, generate a probate packet and help the child avoid mailing a personal check that Guilford will not accept. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Plan to work through the Greensboro clerk's counter first. If the matter needs court time, Guilford's calendar request form can include the E estates case type and a Greensboro or High Point setting. A real property sale through the estate is a strong reason to get legal help. | Sunset helps find the assets, prepare the estate settlement file and connect the parent with a local probate attorney when the home sale or court scheduling becomes more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court, Greensboro courthouse | Primary county seat counter for Guilford estate filings and the location tied to the published estates email. | 201 South Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. Mail: PO Box 3008, Greensboro, NC 27402. Phone: (336) 412-7300. Email: [email protected]. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county/guilford-county-courthouse |
| Clerk of Superior Court, High Point courthouse | Second Guilford clerk's counter with the same posted hours and a 24 hour drop box. Call before relying on it to open a decedent's estate. | 505 East Green Drive, High Point, NC 27262. Mail: PO Box 2434, High Point, NC 27261. Phone: (336) 822-6700. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county/guilford-county-courthouse-high-point |
| Guilford County contact directory | Judicial Branch list of Guilford court phone lines and office mailboxes, including the estates email. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county/contact-directory |
| Guilford County payment information | Explains Guilford's payment methods, including no personal checks and money order or certified check by mail. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county/guilford-county-payment-information |
| Guilford County local rules and forms | Lists Guilford local rules and forms, including the superior court calendar request form that can include an estates case type. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county/guilford-county-local-rules-and-forms |
| North Carolina Judicial Branch estates help topic | Plain-language court guidance on estates, letters, what to bring to the clerk and how administration works. | https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/wills-and-estates/estates |
| Decedent's Estate Procedures pamphlet | Administrative Office of the Courts pamphlet on executors, administrators, collectors by affidavit and summary administration. | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/publications/decedents-estate-procedures-pamphlet |
| Guide and File | Free guided online interviews. For estates, describe only the guided interview for summary administration. | https://northcarolina.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina, Greensboro office | Free civil legal help for people with low incomes. Its Greensboro office lists Guilford County in its service area. Apply and ask whether help is available for your situation. | 122 N Elm St, Ste 700, Greensboro, NC 27401-2842. Phone: 336-272-0148. Toll free: 1-800-951-2257. https://legalaidnc.org/offices/ |
| North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Referral service for members of the public seeking a North Carolina attorney. | https://www.ncbar.org/members/resources/lawyer-referral-service/ |
| Portal | Statewide public case search and payment site. Search by party name or case number and filter to Guilford when available. | https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ |
| Statewide estate forms | AOC-E form set used in every North Carolina county. | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms |
When to hire an attorney
You are not required to hire a lawyer just because the estate is in Guilford County. Counsel makes sense when the estate includes a home that must be sold through the estate, a caveat, creditor conflict, disagreement among heirs, a claim that leaves the clerk's exclusive jurisdiction or a calendared matter at either Guilford courthouse. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families build a clearer picture of the estate before they contact the Guilford clerk's estates counter.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns what you know about the will, family, assets and debts into an organized estate settlement packet so you can focus on the correct North Carolina AOC forms and Guilford filing details.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Guilford estate involves a home sale, contested issue, creditor dispute or court setting, Sunset can connect the family with a local attorney who handles North Carolina probate matters.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, prepare for the clerk's office and decide what help they need without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Guilford County?
Plan to start with the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro at 201 South Eugene St. Greensboro is the county seat, the estates email is addressed to Greensboro and the Judicial Branch directs in-person payment to the Greensboro clerk's office. Guilford also has a clerk's office at the High Point courthouse, but the county does not publish whether that counter opens decedent estates, so call (336) 822-6700 before relying on it.
Does Guilford County have an estates phone number?
Guilford publishes general clerk's lines for both courthouses, (336) 412-7300 in Greensboro and (336) 822-6700 in High Point. It does not publish a separate estates telephone line. The published estates contact is [email protected].
Does Guilford County require an appointment to open an estate?
Guilford publishes clerk counter hours at both courthouses, but it does not publish an estates booking page or an appointment requirement. Because the Judicial Branch says clerk practices can differ by county, call the courthouse you plan to use before traveling.
Can I e-file a Guilford County estate?
File and Serve is the statewide e-filing system. Attorneys use it, and self-represented filers may use it. Guilford does not publish a local instruction for opening a decedent's estate through File and Serve or for delivering an original will, so ask the clerk before relying on electronic filing for the opening step.
What do I do with an original will in Guilford County?
Guilford publishes counter hours and 24 hour drop boxes, but it does not publish an estate-specific instruction for original wills. An original will is an original paper document, so call the Greensboro clerk's line or email [email protected] before mailing it or placing it in a drop box.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Guilford County?
Effective January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs, plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cumulative cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307). Guilford does not accept personal checks.
Does Guilford County have local probate forms?
No local Guilford form opens, administers or closes a decedent's estate. Use the statewide North Carolina AOC estate forms. Guilford's local calendar request form can include an E estates case type if a matter is being set for a superior court session.
Are Guilford County estate hearings remote?
North Carolina law permits some proceedings by audio and video transmission, but Guilford publishes no remote appearance practice for estate matters before the clerk (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6). Ask the clerk how your specific matter will be handled.
How do I look up a Guilford County estate case?
Use Portal, the statewide public case search, at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ . Search by party name or case number and filter to Guilford when available. Do not assume that every document image will be available online.
Do I have to travel to Greensboro for a Guilford County estate?
Not always, but do not assume every step can be handled remotely. Guilford publishes an estates email, two mailing addresses and drop boxes at both courthouses. If there is an original will, a qualification step or a question about using High Point, call or email the clerk before making travel plans.
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.