Market Ranking · 2026-08-24
Top Probate & Estate Counties in North Carolina (2026)
19,971 verified probate and estate filings across 56 counties in North Carolina, ranked by filing volume. Sourced directly from public court dockets.
Probate, estate, and inherited property filings — court records created when a property owner passes away and the property must be distributed or sold. Heirs often need to sell quickly, especially if the property is out-of-state or needs significant repairs.
- 19,971 total probate and estate filings tracked across 56 counties
- Highest volume: Wake County (11,774), Johnston County (1,070), Alamance County (669)
- Average median property value: $235,711
County rankings by probate & estate volume
| # | County | Filings | Med. Value | Absentee | Med. Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake County | 11,774 | $463,497 | 37.4% | — |
| 2 | Johnston County | 1,070 | $280,320 | — | — |
| 3 | Alamance County | 669 | $248,670 | — | — |
| 4 | Guilford County | 616 | $310,300 | — | — |
| 5 | Cabarrus County | 588 | $293,535 | — | — |
| 6 | Robeson County | 561 | $99,800 | — | — |
| 7 | Gaston County | 395 | $249,150 | — | — |
| 8 | Cumberland County | 342 | $247,200 | — | — |
| 9 | Rockingham County | 338 | $199,678 | — | — |
| 10 | Columbus County | 299 | $105,000 | — | — |
| 11 | Iredell County | 272 | $218,510 | — | — |
| 12 | Forsyth County | 263 | $237,800 | — | — |
| 13 | Durham County | 247 | $483,179 | — | — |
| 14 | Mcdowell County | 218 | $149,020 | — | — |
| 15 | Granville County | 207 | $142,719 | — | — |
| 16 | Buncombe County | 192 | $384,700 | — | — |
| 17 | Unknown County | 176 | — | — | — |
| 18 | New Hanover County | 176 | $413,100 | — | — |
| 19 | Mecklenburg County | 151 | $339,365 | — | — |
| 20 | Bladen County | 137 | $119,770 | — | — |
| 21 | Craven County | 125 | $216,120 | — | — |
| 22 | Catawba County | 93 | $229,800 | — | — |
| 23 | Randolph County | 87 | $134,480 | — | — |
| 24 | Cleveland County | 82 | $215,972 | — | — |
| 25 | Haywood County | 81 | $223,100 | — | — |
| 26 | Sampson County | 81 | $130,659 | — | — |
| 27 | Burke County | 73 | $135,491 | — | — |
| 28 | Scotland County | 69 | $87,180 | — | — |
| 29 | Henderson County | 61 | $265,300 | — | — |
| 30 | Richmond County | 59 | $106,621 | — | — |
Related reports
Guide: How to Find Probate & Estate Leads in North Carolina
Other North Carolina rankings: Foreclosure · Divorce & Equity Division · Partition · Guardianship · Tax Sale
Full state analysis: North Carolina Court Filings Intelligence
Legal process: How Foreclosure Works in North Carolina — step-by-step timeline & investor details
Sourcing guide: How to Find Pre-Foreclosure Leads in North Carolina
Compare lead types: Foreclosure vs Probate · Foreclosure vs Divorce · All reports
Frequently asked questions
How many probate and estate filings are tracked in North Carolina?+
Keystone Court Data tracks 19,971 verified probate and estate filings across 56 North Carolina counties. Data is sourced directly from public court dockets and updated as new filings appear.
Which North Carolina county has the most probate and estate filings?+
Wake County leads with 11,774 probate and estate filings. The median property value in these filings is $463,497. All data comes from public court records.
What is the typical property value in North Carolina probate and estate filings?+
Across 39 counties with assessor data, the average median property value in North Carolina probate and estate filings is $235,711. Values vary by county — from $61,600 to $483,179.
What percentage of probate and estate filings in North Carolina involve absentee owners?+
On average, 37.4% of probate and estate filings in North Carolina involve properties where the owner's mailing address differs from the property address. Absentee owners may face additional pressure to sell when a court filing is filed against the property.
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Browse North Carolina countiesCite: Keystone Court Data, "Top Probate & Estate Counties in North Carolina (2026)," 2026-08-24, https://keystonecourtdata.com/reports/top-probate-counties-nc