Probate Process Explained Simply

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of complex legal procedures. Simply put, probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will (if one exists), paying off any debts the estate owes, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs. When a house is involved, it often becomes the most complicated part of the process. While the courts move slowly, the bills for the house do not; the estate is typically responsible for ongoing mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, which can quickly drain financial resources.

Insider Strategies Facilitate Probate

The good news is that you can use Brick & Equity, Inc.‘s insider strategies and our legal team to quicken the probate process, that we can handle for your family COST-FREE. Call Us First to get the process started. And You do not have to wait until the very end of the probate process to sell the property. If you go through us or the courts who appoints an Executor or Administrator, that person usually has the authority to sell the real estate to settle debts or distribute cash to the heirs. This is where we can help simplify things. Instead of spending months—and thousands of dollars—cleaning out personal belongings, making repairs, and waiting for a buyer on the open market, you can sell the property “as-is” for cash. This allows the estate to liquidate the asset quickly, stop the monthly holding costs, and help the family move forward sooner.

Common Probate Terms You Should Know

The Estate: This is simply everything the person owned at the time of their passing—including real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and personal possessions.

Executor: The person named in the will who is responsible for managing the estate, paying debts, and distributing assets.

Administrator: If there is no will, the court appoints an “Administrator” to do the same job as an Executor.

Intestate: A legal term meaning the person died without a valid will. In this case, state laws determine how the property is distributed.

Heir / Beneficiary: The individuals or organizations legally entitled to receive assets from the estate.

Letters Testamentary / Letters of Administration: This is the official court document that gives the Executor or Administrator the legal power to act. Note: You will need this document to sell the house or access bank accounts.

Decedent: The legal term for the person who has passed away.