Sixteen new laws and changes to existing laws go into effect across North Carolina on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Some of these changes directly affect estate planning, medical licensing, and legal document filing – areas that matter if you’re planning your estate, running a business, or dealing with legal matters across the state.
Over 26 years of practicing law in North Carolina, I’ve seen how legislative changes can catch people off guard. You make plans based on current law, then the rules change. Let me walk you through the changes most likely to affect you and your family.
Estate Planning and Legal Documents – Changes You Need to Know
Electronic Wills Are Now Valid in North Carolina
House Bill 377 makes significant changes to how North Carolina handles wills and trusts starting January 1st. The biggest change? Original wills and certified copies can now be accepted in electronic format.
Here’s what that means for you. If you’ve created a will and it’s stored electronically – as long as a licensed North Carolina attorney records it properly while you’re still alive – that electronic copy holds the same legal weight as the physical document. If your original will is lost or destroyed and an electronic copy exists, the will won’t be automatically revoked.
This is a practical update. How many people have wills stored in safe deposit boxes they haven’t opened in years? Or filed away in places they can’t quite remember? Electronic backup provides security.
The law also changes trust requirements, expands who can control a trust if one spouse is still alive, and removes the previous requirement that a spouse had to mail or deliver a copy of a petition to the estate. These are technical changes, but they make estate administration smoother.
Adopted Birth Certificates Get Easier to Obtain
Senate Bill 248 changes how adoptees get their birth certificates. Previously, only the State Registrar could provide copies of an adoptee’s new birth certificate. Starting January 1st, birth certificates will be available through the state’s electronic birth registration system or from the register of deeds in the birth county.
This puts adopted individuals on equal footing with everyone else when it comes to obtaining their own birth certificates. It’s a common-sense change that eliminates unnecessary bureaucracy.
Medical and Healthcare Changes
North Carolina Joins Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
House Bill 67 brings North Carolina into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. More than three-quarters of the country already participates.
What this means: doctors who practice in multiple states – think of a physician who works at clinics near the state line with locations just over the border – can now get licensed more easily across state lines. This should improve access to medical care, especially in border communities.
If you live near the Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia borders, this change could mean more healthcare options become available to you.
Prescription Drug Price Transparency
Senate Bill 479 – called the SCRIPT Act – requires drug manufacturers to notify state agencies, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers when prescription prices will increase 15% or more for drugs costing $100 or more for a 30-day supply.
They have to report this by January 31 every year. They also must notify within three days when new drug prices go into effect in North Carolina.
Failure to report? $1,000 fine for every day the information isn’t disclosed.
The state will create an online portal where you can check this information. This is transparency that’s been needed for years. Prescription costs affect everyone, and knowing what’s coming helps people plan.
Professional Licensing Changes
CPAs Need Two Years Experience
Senate Bill 321 adds a requirement for certified public accountants. They already needed a bachelor’s degree, accounting concentration, and approved courses. Now they also need two years of experience working under direct supervision of a current CPA.
This doesn’t affect most people directly, but if you’re hiring a CPA or your children are pursuing accounting careers, you should know the bar just got higher.
Real Estate Appraisers Face New Requirements
Senate Bill 690 changes real estate appraiser licensing. Appraisers must now complete an approved Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal program and submit 15 appraisals of residential properties. The board spot-checks five of those for compliance.
If you’re buying or selling property in 2026, your appraiser will have gone through more rigorous training than in previous years.
Government and Business Changes
State Investment Authority Created
House Bill 506 creates the North Carolina Investment Authority to manage state pensions and investments. It operates independently under the Department of State Treasurer and is run by a board of directors.
This shifts investment decision-making from the State Treasurer alone to a board of investment professionals and a chief investment officer. If you’re a state employee or teacher, this affects how your pension is managed – though it doesn’t change your actual pension benefits.
DOT and Local Government Road Standards
House Bill 926 prevents local governments from requiring road pavement design standards on public and private roads that exceed DOT minimum requirements.
Developers must now coordinate with DOT and create maintenance agreements with local governments for pedestrian facilities or street improvements.
This matters if you’re developing property or live in an area where road construction is planned. The state sets the standard now, not individual counties or municipalities.
What These Changes Mean for Your Legal Planning
Laws change. That’s the nature of the legislative process. What doesn’t change is the need for proper legal planning that adapts to new requirements.
If you created your will or trust years ago, these changes don’t automatically invalidate anything. But they do create new options – like electronic storage of wills – that might make sense for your situation.
If you’re working with estate documents, adoption records, or business planning, January 1st marks when the new rules apply. Make sure whoever you’re working with understands the updated requirements.
Other Significant Changes
Several other laws take effect January 1st that don’t directly involve my practice areas but you should know about:
House Bill 805 makes multiple changes including recognition of two sexes in state law, restrictions on gender-affirming care funding, requirements for school sleeping quarter arrangements, and protections for students with religious objections to certain classroom activities. This bill was vetoed by Governor Stein but the veto was overridden.
House Bill 737 affects the insurance industry with new disclosure requirements, group capital reporting from insurance companies, and liquidity stress test requirements.
The legislature passed these laws without finalizing a state budget for the fiscal year that began six months ago. Teacher and state worker raises remain in limbo. That budget standoff doesn’t affect the laws taking effect January 1st, but it’s worth noting the broader context.
Bottom Line
New laws create new requirements and new opportunities. The electronic will provisions make estate planning more secure. The medical licensure compact improves healthcare access. The prescription price transparency helps consumers plan.
If you have questions about how any of these changes affect your estate plan, business operations, or legal documents, give us a call at 336-221-8900 in Graham. We handle estate planning, business law, and legal matters across North Carolina. Contact us today.
Laws change. Your planning should keep pace.
Sources: This article is based on reporting from WBTV and the official text of North Carolina legislative bills taking effect January 1, 2026. Bill summaries are available through the North Carolina General Assembly.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about new North Carolina laws and should not be considered legal advice. Every situation is different. For advice about your specific circumstances, contact a licensed North Carolina attorney.