Understanding the Probate Process
You are certainly not alone if you feel confused and overwhelmed by the entire probate process. We can help you understand the confusion regarding probate and your role when settling the estate.
For the executor or administrator (also often referred to as the personal representative), settling the estate can be a very daunting task.
While you are dealing with what is a very emotional time for everyone involved, you suddenly have the enormous job of doing what is necessary to settle the estate. Most likely this will include selling any property in the estate. Just getting the property ready to sell can be a big job in itself. You are tasked with taking care of the ‘business of settling the estate in addition to all the everyday responsibilities in your own life.
Breaking Down the Probate Process
This process can seem daunting for most people. They aren’t familiar with many of the terms used, the timelines are unclear, and they find the whole process confusing at a time when they are overwhelmed, and their emotions are raw. What often happens is that they do nothing. They find themselves stuck and unable to move forward.
I want to help you understand how the probate process works. It’s a pretty straightforward process in most areas.
1. Someone passes away, and there is a petition for probate.
- The court decides who will be in charge of settling the estate.
*If there is a will, the person named in the will is the Executor of the estate. This is called “testate”.
*If there is no will, the court will appoint someone to act as the Administrator of the estate. (Intestate). This person is typically a family member, but it could be a close family friend or an attorney. Whether you are the Executor or the Administrator, you are typically called the Personal Representative or PR.
2. The next thing that happens is that the assets in the estate are sold to pay the creditors. This
includes real property such as real estate, which may be personal property.
3. Once the creditors are paid, the heirs receive their inheritance.
4. The last step is that the estate is closed.
These are the basic steps for settling an estate.
Will I Need a Probate Attorney?
In most cases, you will need a probate attorney for some, if not all, of the work involved with settling an estate, depending on the complexity of the estate. There are many variables in individual estates.
One of the advantages of working with our company is that we can help you navigate this entire process. Our closing attorneys know all of the ins and outs of probate. They are real estate experts, and we work with them on all our closings.
Work With the Experts
Since 2008, my company has been helping people with probate properties who are tasked with settling the estate. We are your local probate experts.
While every situation is unique, most of the procedures and challenges you might encounter will be ones we have encountered before. I’m certain we can help you navigate this process and take a huge amount of worry and overwhelm off your plate.
This is a difficult time for people. They have a long list of things they need to do to settle the estate. On top of that, they often have a property to sell that is outdated or needs a lot of expensive repairs.
As the Personal Representative of this estate, you may not be in a position to make the repairs needed to list this property with a Realtor on the MLS. Perhaps you just don’t have the time or the money to invest in this inherited property, and you just want to sell this probate property “as is” and be done.
If that sounds like you, you’re In luck!
This is our area of expertise. We buy property in estates “as is,” pay all cash, and offer a hassle-free closing so you can move on with your life.
What If You Can’t Face Cleaning Out the House?
It’s common for houses in estates to reflect the last years of that person’s life. A lot of folks are “keepers”. They keep everything. Or, to put it another way, they haven’t thrown anything away in decades.
Family members end up spending months looking at all the “stuff.” They really want anything of value (especially things with sentimental value) and important paperwork they might need.
Then… they often reach a stage where they close the door and walk away.
They can’t finish this job, so the property sits there for months and months. This is typically the one thing holding up the process of selling the property and closing the estate.
You Don’t Have To Do It!
We will clean out the house for you. That’s right. As part of our offer, we will finish the job for you. You can take everything you want, leave the rest, and we will take care of it for you.
Not Sure Exactly What You Need to Do Next?
There’s no need to worry. Once we have reached an agreement to buy your property, a member of our team will determine what still needs to be done for you to sell it. Together, we will finish everything so you can move forward.
- If that involves removing the rest of the belongings from the house, we will do that.
- Is there furniture or even old cars that can be donated? We will take care of it.
- Does the house need repairs and updating? You can just walk away, and we will take care of everything.
- Do you need a “kitchen table talk” to get everyone involved on board with the sale of the property? We have done that many times.
Contact Us Today. We specialize in probate and estates.
We specialize in probate and estates. If you need more information or are unsure that this solution is right for you, that’s OK.
Give us a call today at 502-694-8891 to see how we can help you sell this unwanted property. Tell us your situation, and we will find a solution. You can also leave your information here on this site in the contact form if that works better for you.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you. Let us know how we can help.