Probate

The probate process is a potentially difficult series of negotiations and court hearings creating family tension. There are three main ways a probate is handled with regard to real estate sales.

  • Independent administrator
  • Independent administrator with limited powers
  • Court confirmation

In any event, all of these can end up in court. Working with some of the best attorneys in the East Bay, I’ve had experience with all three. My promise to you is to be present at every stage to help you through the process. This includes everything from fixing up the property for sale to appearing in court to assist your attorney.

Probates usually include, but are not limited to the following sequence of events:

  1. Appointment of an Administrator or Executor
    If there is a Will that nominates an Executor and that person is willing to serve, they will be appointed as Executor. If there is no Will or the Will does not nominate an Executor who is still alive and willing to serve, then an Administrator is appointed. This is usually one of the heirs, someone nominated by an heir or the Public Administrator (a County agency). An Executor and an Administrator have the same responsibilities and I will use the term Executor from now on.
  2. The sale of property
    There are two different procedures that are followed depending upon whether the Executor has been granted “full independent powers”. If the Executor has full independent powers, they may, but are not required to, elect to use the following procedure. They list the property for sale. Once they have an acceptable contract, they mail out a Notice of Proposed Action stating the terms of the proposed sale. The heirs then have 15 days to object. If there is no objection within 15 days, the sale goes through without any court hearing required. If the Executor does not have full independent powers, or if an heir objects to a sale under the Notice of Proposed Action method the following procedure applies. A notice of the sale must be published in a newspaper of general circulation (unless there is a Will that waives this requirement).
  3. Accepting an offer
    The offer accepted must be 90% or more of the Probate Referee’s appraisal.
  4. Court Confirmation
    Once an offer is accepted, a petition seeking confirmation of the sale is filed with the court and set for hearing. The court hearing usually takes place 30 to 45 days after the petition is files. A copy of the petition and details about the sale are mailed to all heirs.
  5. Over bidding
    At the Court Confirmation hearing, the accepted offer may be overbid by other buyers. The minimum overbid is 10% of the first $10,000.00 plus 5% of the balance up to the amount of the accepted offer. A cashiers check for at least 10% of the minimum overbid price must be shown to the court in order to make an overbid. That 10% check is given to the Executor at the hearing by the winning bidder. A contract is then signed. This contract can have no contingencies and escrow usually closes within 15 days after the hearing.

There are many more details not mentioned here. Some are….

  • What contract is used for the original offer or over bid offer?
  • To whom should the 10% deposit check be made payable?
  • Do private probate attorneys and Public Administrators have different requirements for notices, documents, disclosures and contracts?
  • What disclosures are required in a probate sale?
  • Where are the Court Confirmation hearings held?
  • Where are offers delivered?
  • What makes an offer weak or strong?
  • If you would like assistance selling property currently or soon to be in probate, call or email me.

You should consult an attorney to properly educate yourself on your options if you anticipate or are involved in a probate. See my Real Estate Service Providers section for a list of local attorneys.