{"id":3594,"date":"2023-11-20T04:29:49","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T12:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=3594"},"modified":"2024-05-30T11:01:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T18:01:49","slug":"probate-real-estate-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/probate-real-estate-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Probate Real Estate Basics: How to Sell a Home in Probate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Probate is the process where beneficiaries legally obtain property promised to them in a will and pay off any debts of the estate. If no will is present, then the probate process<\/a> assigns legal ownership to a close relative of the deceased through a law called the state intestacy law.<\/a><\/p>\n

In many states, going through the process to probate a will is the only option to legally become the owner of a home. Keep in mind that every state has a different probate law<\/a>, even though many have adopted the \u201cUniform Probate Code<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you need to sell a house that\u2019s in probate and it\u2019s not required to be sold within probate court, you\u2019ll need to first finish the entire probate process before listing or selling the home. You can, however, speak with a real estate agent<\/a> to get an accurate idea of the home\u2019s worth<\/a>. Your agent will also be able to go over any changes or upgrades you\u2019ll need to make to the property, so that you can get a head start before it\u2019s time to put the home on the market.<\/p>\n

If the home does not have to be sold in probate court, you\u2019ll need to wait to list until you have power of attorney, which the court will give you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \"homelight\n <\/div>\n \n

Work With a Top Probate Agent<\/h3>\n

Top-performing agents sell homes faster and for more money than average agents. When selling a house in probate, maximizing the home sale can best serve the estate’s interests.<\/p>\n \n

\n Find Agent<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Disclaimer: This article is not a source of legal advice. Please consult a legal professional for legal assistance.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

What\u2019s involved in the probate process?<\/h2>\n

Before the property gets legally transferred to you, you\u2019ll most likely need to go through the probate process<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Generally, probate will go something like this:<\/p>\n

1. Find a probate attorney<\/h3>\n

Contact a probate lawyer<\/a> to represent you as the will goes through probate. Your attorney will file documents with the court, help collect any money obtained from life insurance, problem solve on income tax issues, and more. They will also be your general advisor throughout the entire probate process.<\/p>\n

2. File the will and petition to start the probate process<\/h3>\n

The process begins when you file the deceased person\u2019s will and a petition for probate in the relevant probate court local to where the deceased lived. This step officially initiates the legal process of probate.<\/p>\n

The court reviews the petition and, if everything is in order, formally appoints the executor, or administrator if there\u2019s no will. As the executor or administrator, you will be responsible for managing the estate, including any real estate, during the probate process.<\/p>\n

At this point, you\u2019ll also need to let all heirs and beneficiaries listed in the will know<\/a> that you\u2019re petitioning to begin probate. You\u2019ll provide them the court date of your probate hearing, so that they can present objections, if any.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn what probate is, how real estate is handled during the process, and how to make sure you get the most money from your inherited property sale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":39141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[326,319],"tags":[491,494,411,413,412,414],"class_list":["post-3594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inheritance","category-selling-advice","tag-basics","tag-estate-planning","tag-probate","tag-probate-attorney","tag-probate-real-estate","tag-probate-real-estate-agent"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Probate Real Estate Basics: How to Sell a Home in Probate<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what probate is, how real estate is handled during the process, and how to make sure you get the most money from your inherited 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