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Fireworks: What’s Legal In North Carolina

Written by kwmlaw on July 8, 2021. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Summertime in North Carolina means cookouts, swimming, and fireworks. Watching the bursts of color in the night sky is a family favorite, but not everyone is clear on what is and isn’t legal. People travel to visit loved ones from near and far, sometimes crossing state borders. With so many fireworks on sale near those borders, it’s important to know what’s legal here in North Carolina before lighting a fuse.

North Carolina’s Fireworks Rules

Illegal: Firecrackers, ground spinners, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and aerial fireworks (as a rule of thumb, any firework that explodes or physically leaves the ground)

Legal: Wire sparklers, snake and glow worms, smoke devices consisting of a tube or sphere that produce white or colored smoke, and trick noisemakers (including party poppers, string poppers, and snappers)

Age Restrictions: You must be 16 years of age or older to buy or use fireworks in North Carolina.

Penalties: Illegally using fireworks can be punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to six months of imprisonment.

Border States

The fireworks that are illegal in North Carolina are legal to use in both Georgia and South Carolina. But it is important to note that if you buy the fireworks in another state where they are legal and bring them into North Carolina, the fireworks are still illegal and you will face punishment for their use.

Legal Action

Many fireworks injuries are caused by negligence. If you are injured by fireworks while watching a display put on by an organization, get medical attention first, then contact a personal injury lawyer. We also recommend contacting a lawyer if you are injured by fireworks you are using at home or while working. If the fireworks are illegal and you are hurt, you might still be entitled to help.

Safety First

Even fireworks deemed legal in North Carolina can cause injuries, so take care. In 2019, almost 150 people went to the emergency room for firework-related injuries. Twenty percent of those injuries were caused by firecrackers – legal fireworks in the state.

Remember never to attempt to relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water to prevent it from going off unexpectedly. You can find more information on this, and other firework safety tips here.

Finally, don’t forget about your pets. Pets aren’t as usually excited about fireworks as humans and about a local fireworks display. Learn more about keeping your furry friends safe and happy.

What Happens if You Die Without a Will in North Carolina?

Written by kwmlaw on November 27, 2017. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Have you decided to create a will? A will allows you to choose how you want to distribute your estate once you have passed. Having a will means you decide who gets your property and money.

Wills can:

Explain how to distribute your assets.
Name an executor to collect and distribute funds with court supervision,
Name guardians for your children,
Forgive your debts.

Dying Intestate

If you die without a will in the state of North Carolina, you die intestate, which means the court will decide how to divide your estate without your input. Once your expenses have been paid, the remaining assets in your estate are divided according to North Carolina’s intestate succession laws. Your property will be divided among your closest relatives, usually your spouse and children. If you are not married and don’t have children, then your property is distributed to your parents, if they are alive. If not, your property will be distributed to your siblings, and possibly also to your nieces and nephews.

Instead of having a friend or family member designated by your will to decide the fate of your assets, an unknown court-appointed administrator will be appointed. Also, North Carolina law decides the fate of your children! In other words, they will decide who takes your children and manages your money for them and this may not be who you want to appoint! Thus, it is vital that you speak for yourself and that you use a will to name a guardian if you have children.

No Family

If you have no living family members, your estate may go to the State of North Carolina, to be held in a fund that may be able to be claimed by a distant family member in the future, if they are aware of the fund and make a claim. While deciding how to administer your estate, the court will also appoint an administrator, similar to an executor, who will pay debts and any funeral or court expenses.