Inheriting a house often comes with paperwork, family decisions, and a property that's been sitting empty. I've helped families through this many times, including houses with fire damage and heirs who needed time to agree.
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Does the house have to go through probate?
Usually, yes, if the house was in the deceased person's name alone. In Florida, a will by itself isn't enough to transfer the house. The court has to confirm who has the right to sell it. A house owned jointly with someone who had "right of survivorship" usually skips probate and goes straight to the surviving owner.
Two kinds of probate in Florida
- Formal administration. The standard process. The court appoints a personal representative who can sign to sell the house. It often takes several months or more.
- Summary administration. A shorter process, available when the person passed away more than 2 years ago or the estate is worth $75,000 or less, not counting exempt property.
Common questions
Can I sell before probate is finished?
Often you can sign a contract while probate is underway, with closing set for when the court gives authority to sell. Your probate attorney can tell you what applies to your case.
What if there are several heirs?
Usually everyone with an ownership share needs to agree, or the personal representative needs court authority. Getting everyone on the same page is often the hardest part. I'm patient with that and can work with the family's timeline.
Who pays the bills while this happens?
The mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and utilities keep coming. Keep the taxes paid. Unpaid taxes can lead to a tax certificate and, eventually, a tax deed sale.
The house needs a lot of work. Does that matter?
Not to me. I buy as-is, so nobody has to clean it out, fix it, or show it.
Recent inherited-house deals
Fire-Damaged House in Probate
- Area
- Winter Garden
- Year
- 2023
- House
- 3 bed / 1 bath single-family
- Situation
- Inherited house, going through probate
- Condition
- Fire damage
- What I did
- Bought it
This fire-damaged house was in probate, and the hardest part wasn't the damage. It was getting every relative on the same page so the sale could close. I worked with the family through that process until everyone agreed, then I bought the house.
The Fire-Damaged Rental
- Area
- Orlando, 32807
- Year
- 2020
- Situation
- Inherited rental, vacant for about 3 years
- Condition
- Fire damage in the living room
The family had rented this house out until a fire made it unlivable. After their father passed, it sat empty while they kept paying taxes and yard upkeep on a house they couldn't rent or easily sell. I made a cash offer on it as-is, the sale closed, and the family closed that chapter.
How I can help
As a licensed broker, I can either buy the house for cash as-is or list it for the family. I'll show you both numbers and work with the family's timeline.
I'm not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice. Talk with a Florida probate attorney about your specific situation.
Other situations I help with
- Behind on paymentsSell before a foreclosure sale date
- Inherited house or probateSell a house left to you or your family
- Code violations or liensSell with open violations or fines
- Rental with tenantsSell without waiting for a lease to end
- Needs major repairsSell as-is, no fixing or cleaning
Get Your Cash Offer
Tell me about the house. I'll call you within 24 hours, usually the same day.
We won't share or sell your info.