Terri Sharp was appointed as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge for Craven County in 2012 by Judge Benjamin G. Her history with the Clerk's Office includes:
*2007 Appointment Public Admin. and Public Guardian
*2012 Appointment Clerk of Court
*2014 Elected Clerk of Court
*2018 Re-elected Clerk of Court
Terri left the practice of law in 2012 to work full-time in public service for the citiz
ens of Craven County. Terri practiced law with McCotter, Ashton & Smith, P.A. She has over 35 years of legal experience in estate planning and administration, guardianships, competency matters, real estate transactions and litigation, and corporate law. Her vast experience includes managing cases related to civil litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, traffic and criminal law. Her law practice was focused on matters over which the Clerk of Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction as Judge of Probate. Terri was appointed as the Public Administrator in 2007 and served as both public administrator and public guardian for Craven County for 6 years prior to her appointment as Clerk of Superior Court. A public administrator or public guardian is appointed when there is no one suitable to come forward to administer a decedent's estate or guardianship estate. Terri's education includes:
* Juris Doctor, cm laude, NC Central University School of Law
* Bachelor Degree Justice and Public Policy, magna cm laude, NC Wesleyan College
* Associate Degree Business Administration, Hardbarger College
Terri and her husband, Reid, are lifelong New Bernians and she is a proud New Bern High School graduate. She and Reid have a teenage son who is a senior at NBHS. Her community involvement and memberships have included:
*NC Assoc. of Clerks of Superior Court
*NC State Bar
*Craven County Bar Association (President and Secretary 2008-2010)
*3B Judicial District Bar for Craven, Pamlico and Carteret Counties
*NC Real Estate Commission (broker)
*New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce
*Havelock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
*New Bern Historical Society
*Coastal Women’s Forum
*Coastal Women’s Shelter
*Coastal Community Action, Inc. She was appointed to the NC Domestic Violence Commission board in 2018 and reappointed in 2021. Of particular note is the fact that Clerks of Court in NC are elected and serve as Probate Judge. In this role, the Clerk of Court is a judge presiding over more than 40 types of civil actions. The Clerks of Court have exclusive jurisdiction over matters relating to decedent’s and guardianship estates. The Clerk of Court appoints and removes executors and administrators, approves accountings and distribution of estate assets and holds hearings on all matters related to issues and disputes in estates. As Probate Judge, the Clerk of Court presides over jury trials on matters of competency of adults and restoration of competency. The Clerk of Court also presides over hearings on home and land foreclosures, vehicle seizure hearings, motor vehicle liens, condemnation of private lands for public use, partition of real and personal property, adoptions, legitimations, name changes, and many more types of judicial hearings. The Clerk of Court oversees jury duty and sends jury summonses to area residents for terms of Superior Court. The Clerk of Court supervises the work of the jury commission and appoints a member to the jury commission every two years. The Clerk of Court employs and supervises a staff of more than 30 assistant and deputy clerks, including permanent and temporary clerks of court. The courthouse contains 6 courtrooms that are staffed by the Clerk of Court. In addition to the many judicial responsibilities, the Clerk of Court is an Administrator, Comptroller of all Court funds, and Keeper of the Records.
