The Short Answer

If the inherited real estate is in North Carolina, you generally should use a North Carolina attorney because the deed must comply with North Carolina law and recording rules. If the property is in Pennsylvania, you do not legally “have to” hire an attorney to prepare a quitclaim deed, but it is often a high-risk document to get wrong—especially when the transfer is tied to a probate estate.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

In Pennsylvania, real estate typically passes at death to the heirs or devisees, but it remains subject to the estate administration and the personal representative’s powers. That means whether a quitclaim deed is appropriate depends on who has authority to sign, whether probate is open, and whether the transfer should instead be documented through the probate court’s decree/adjudication.

Also, Pennsylvania probate often relies on recording probate documents (not just private deeds) to establish marketable title for heirs and future buyers.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is 20 Pa.C.S. § 301.

This statute establishes that legal title to a decedent’s real estate passes at death to the heirs or devisees, but it is subject to the powers of the personal representative and court orders.

In many estates, the probate court’s award of real estate is meant to be recorded in the county land records. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3536 (recording decrees awarding real estate).

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statutes provide the general framework, applying them to an inherited-property deed is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Authority to sign: Depending on the estate posture, the correct signer may be the heir/devisee, the personal representative, or a deed may be the wrong instrument if a recorded probate decree is required for clean title.
• Burden of proof/title clarity: Title companies and lenders often require a clear chain of title (probate filings, decrees, and properly executed/acknowledged documents). A quitclaim deed can raise questions because it conveys whatever interest the signer has—if any.
• Exceptions and cross-state issues: If the property is actually in North Carolina (as your question suggests), Pennsylvania probate rules do not control the deed form or recording requirements there, and you may need an ancillary proceeding or North Carolina-compliant conveyance.

Trying to handle this alone can create a title defect that surfaces later when you try to sell, refinance, or resolve a family dispute—often costing far more to fix than doing it correctly at the start.

If you want more background, see: How Do I Transfer a Deed Into My Name After a Death in Pennsylvania? and Can I Record a Quitclaim Deed Myself for an Inherited Property Issue in Pennsylvania?.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.