It's one of the biggest worries executors have. A professional appraisal is the best place to start. Here's what else helps.

Not always. Before spending money on hauling and cleaning, figure out how the home will be marketed. Here's how to decide.

Family disagreements are common when settling an estate. Some want to keep and rent the home; others want the money. Here's what can help.

Not always. In California, it depends on the authority the court gave the executor or administrator. Here's how it works, in plain words.

Yes. Many probate homes sell as-is. Here's why many executors choose it, and what to think about before spending money on repairs.

A will alone doesn't keep a home out of probate. Here are the common ways a California home can pass, and when probate is usually needed.

If a parent's home was never moved into their living trust, probate may not be the only option. Here's what a Heggstad petition is, in plain words.

What my family did when we learned, a year later, that my sister had passed and her home was in foreclosure. Plain-language steps.

When someone passes with no will and no trust, California law decides who inherits. Here's what my family of five siblings went through.

How a Heggstad petition can help a family avoid full probate when a home never made it into the trust

How a 2025 California law can give you up to 90 extra days to sell your home before a foreclosure sale

You're the Successor Trustee. Now What Happens to the House?

A California home worth $750,000 or less may skip full probate under a 2025 law. Here's who qualifies — and the catch nobody mentions.

How It May Protect Your Home Equity