Arizona Probate Real Estate
Let Us Help Guide You Through This Challenging Time
Going through a loved ones death is hard. Understanding the Arizona Probate process is confusing. Figuring out how and when to sell the estate also arises many questions.
We are here to help – every step of the way.
Leading with compassion, empathy and a full understanding of the Probate and Sale process –
- Whether you are JUST STARTING to get ahold of things and do some initial research
- Wondering if you even need an Attorney or are thinking of doing the FILING YOURSELF, or would like to have an excellent ATTORNEY REFFERAL
- You have already been in contact with a ARIZONA PROBATE ATTORNEY and are READY to list the property
- Want to find a QUICK CASH INVESTOR to close fast
- Or are a PROBATE ATTORNEY yourself who has been instructed to handle the estate and deal directly with a professional Probate Agent
We are the answer – every step of the way.
Serving as an EXECUTOR or PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE means making tough decisions at the right time, and its generally complicated. As experienced Real Estate Probate Professionals, we are committed to ensuring that we communicate well so you understand each step.
We will provide support at every stage of the process and strive to guide you away from potential challenges that may arise during this difficult process. While you will still face some tough times involving the rest of the estate, personal belongings, heirs, and creditors – having us as your ARIZONA PROBATE REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS will make the journey significantly less isolating and easier to move through.
Quick CASH Investor Sale OR Listing on the Open Real Estate Market for a HIGHER PRICE?
Need to Sell a Property Quickly?
We specialize in helping clients sell properties swiftly, providing immediate cash offers through our network of qualified investors. This can be crucial for enabling a surviving spouse to transition to a more suitable living situation, covering medical expenses, or distributing assets to heirs efficiently. Our investors often make offers within 24 hours and can close transactions rapidly. While court timelines and filing requirements may impact the process, we work diligently to minimize any delays.
Contact Us Today to learn more about how we can expedite your property sale.
Looking to Maximize the Selling Price?
If achieving the highest possible sale price is your goal, we’ll ensure your property is expertly listed and marketed to attract the right buyers. With comprehensive market analysis, we’ll help you understand your property’s true value and determine whether strategic repairs could enhance the final sale price. Many sellers make the mistake of overspending on unnecessary repairs—our experience ensures every improvement is cost-effective and adds value. Trust us to leverage smart marketing strategies to achieve maximum exposure and the best results.
Contact Us to discuss how we can maximize the value of your property.
By hiring us to help you with your Arizona Probate Home sale, rest assured you have the added benefit that we have a lot of experience in ALL aspects of getting a home ready for sale including recommendations for –
Handyman work in all stages – working with ANY BUDGET
Repairs / Drywall / Painting
Furniture removal
Junk Removal / Cleanouts
AS/IS CASH OFFERS
Carpet / Flooring
And Licensed Contractors for
Remodels, Roofing, Plumbing, Electrical, Foundation specialists, and more!
We are even able to PERSONALLY SCHEDULE AND HANDLE WORKERS if you are not local or don’t have the time!
About Us
Linda and Robyn, the Mother-Daughter Agent Team
With Real Estate being a family business, Robyn’s Father Don Vise was originally licensed in Arizona in 1972, and Brother Toby Vise was the first to follow in his footsteps in the mid 2000’s. Arizona-Born Robyn and her Mother Linda began selling Real Estate in 2012 with RE/MAX, and began our career in Thailand, even opening the first RE/MAX agency in the country! Although Robyn and Linda began their Real Estate Team journey in 2012, they have been licensed in Robyn’s home state of Arizona since 2015.
With hundreds of personal sales in Arizona under our belts, we work well with all ages, we are FULL TIME agents, and we have the EXPERIENCE and EXPERTISE to help guide you through the often confusing process of AZ PROBATE process, getting the home ready for the market or a quick cash sale, and selling your loved ones property.
In the recent years, the market has changed a lot and through all the up, downs, and in-betweens – we shine through our competition. We know you have a lot of choices, and we are grateful for the opportunity to earn your business. One of the areas we shine is helping local or out of area clients get their properties prepared for sale and personal handle the quotes, appointments, execution and follow up of work on the home with a variety of excellent and well-priced Handymen and other various contractors Robyn and Linda have made relationships with over the years. We make it as EASY and STRESS-FREE as possible for you.
On a personal level, Robyn and Linda spend a lot of time together, are “Foodies” and enjoy cooking and attending various foodie activities that seem to always be happening in the Phoenix-metro area. We love spending time outdoors, hiking, gardening, and Linda has a sweet little ShihTzu named Mischa, that Robyn gets to spend a lot of time with, luckily, as she’s a gem. We “work hard to play hard”, and love to vacation – but Robyn always makes sure to stay connected, as client relations and business is always a priority.
Regardless of where you are at in this process and timeline – If service and integrity matter to you, please contact us via text, email, or simply pick up the phone and give us a call! Our motto is: “We’ve got your back!”, and we forward to hearing from you.
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Why Linda & Robyn?
Our way of caring for you from the very beginning all the way to the end of the road is heavily represented by all the people we’ve helped throughout their Arizona Real Estate journeys. We are 100% sure we can help you.
FAQs / Attorney referrals
In Arizona, there are different levels of probating an estate, and the costs vary with each. Happy to discuss the basics of the AZ Probate process and refer you to a few trusted Arizona Probates Attorney with many high reviews. Pricing varies.
Do I need a Real Estate Attorney to Sell a house?
No you don’t! Currently Arizona is the ONLY STATE where a Real Estate transaction does not require an Attorney! This simplifies the process for you, and makes it even more affordable that Agents have the legal right to create and edit contractual documents, and get them signed. Please understand that Licensees are NOT Probate Attorneys, as that is a separate process. If you’d like a referral to an AZ Probate Attorney, we can help with that, but rest assured the actual transaction part does NOT require an attorney.
What is Probate?
When someone passes away and they’ve left a last will and testament, their final wishes regarding their personal belongings go through a legal process called probate. In simple terms, probate is all about making sure that their written directives are officially recognized as their final say on how their worldly possessions, including any properties they own, should be distributed. It also confirms the appointment of the person or entity they’ve chosen to manage their estate. You might hear people use the word ‘probate’ to describe the entire process of settling an estate, which involves gathering assets, paying debts, taxes, and expenses, and finally distributing the remaining assets to the people or entities named in the will. The person named in the will, often called the personal representative or executor/ executrix, is in charge of this process. They’re responsible for following the legal rules and procedures of their state while handling the estate’s affairs. The executor is typically answerable to the heirs and beneficiaries, and sometimes, a probate court might oversee their actions. If there’s no will or if the will doesn’t specify a personal representative, the court will appoint one, provided there are assets to distribute. By law, the personal representative is usually entitled to a reasonable fee or commission for their services. They’re also responsible for handling death tax filings and other tax payments from the deceased’s assets.
How does the Probate Process Work?
The probate process can vary from one state to another and is subject to various external factors that can influence its course. The simplified step-by-step outline below provides an overview:
- An original, legally executed copy of the will is submitted to the local probate court or the relevant authority overseeing probate matters in the respective jurisdiction.
- A notice known as the “Petition for Probate” is published in a local newspaper, typically a prerequisite before formally appointing or certifying the personal representative (executor/executrix) named in the will. This assumes that a will exists, legally referred to as “testate.” If there is no will, it involves the appointment of a court-designated administrator, referred to as “intestate.”
- After the formal certification or appointment of the personal representative, they proceed to file an official petition with the court for probating the estate.
- Following this step and usually during a legally prescribed period (typically around four months from the date of public notification of the probate petition), creditors have the opportunity to file their claims against the estate. These claims encompass unpaid debts, liens, judgments, medical expenses, funeral costs, unpaid taxes, and other obligations.
- Concurrently, the personal representative is engaged in identifying, collecting, and securing the estate’s assets in a manner that allows for their eventual distribution by the will or court directives. This involves locating and accessing bank accounts, and securities, settling remaining debts owed by the deceased, determining the real properties owned by the deceased, and securing the titles to these properties and any other assets slated for disposition.
- It is incumbent upon the personal representative to responsibly maintain these assets, ensuring their proper upkeep and safeguarding against theft or damage. This includes collecting any income generated by the estate, such as rents, residuals, or interest payments, during their tenure. Adequate insurance coverage is maintained to protect these assets.
- Depending on circumstances and permissions, the personal representative may liquidate certain tangible assets, such as vehicles or real estate, to generate the necessary funds for creditor compensation.
- Once the formal claims period has lapsed, all assets have been collected, and any necessary property sales have been executed, provided no complications arise (such as disputes over the will by heirs or contested claims), the personal representative files a final petition with the probate court. This petition seeks approval for the comprehensive distribution of remaining assets to heirs and beneficiaries. The final petition includes an exhaustive financial account submitted to the court, outlining all expenses incurred, funds received and disbursed, investment activities, and the proposed final distribution plan.
- If the court approves the final petition, the personal representative proceeds to distribute the assets as specified in the will, as detailed in the approved petition, or as mandated by legal statutes and court directives in the absence of a will.
Can I Sell the Property at the beginning of the Probate process?
In most cases, yes! Unless there is a dispute with family members, once the court officially appoints a “Personal Representative” of the estate, you may have us get the property on the market and/or sell to one of our Cash investors right away and not worry about making mortgage / utility / payments, or letting the property fall into disrepair while waiting for the (usually lengthy) Probate process to be completed.
The funds/equity from the sale of the property will remain in Probate until the process is complete.
We even have an Attorney referral that will begin working on the estate with little to no money down, and get payment out of the Real estate transaction directly from the Title/Escrow company when it closes! This is especially beneficial for those who don’t have the funds to pay a Lawyer up front while waiting for the (usually 4-12 month) long probate process to be completed.
Is Probate required in Arizona?
Probate is required in Arizona if the decedent/deceased person owned any assets that did not have beneficiary designations (like a Trust) at the time of death.
Probate is also always required for Wills, even if clearly written and simple – because the court must verify that the document is valid. If you die without a Will, the estate will still be subject to Probate if you have any probate assets.
Probate is also required for large estates with assets valued at a total of over $75,000 and/or real estate worth over $100,000. However, placing your assets in a trust can reduce the size of your estate and help it avoid probate. For more questions on this subject, please consult an Arizona Probate Attorney.
How Much is the cost?
The expenses associated with probate can be determined by either state laws or local customs and practices within your community.
When considering the comprehensive costs involved – which may encompass appraisal fees, executor’s compensation, court expenses, surety bond premiums, in addition to legal and accounting charges – the total cost of probate can amount to a range of 3% to 7% of the overall value of the estate, and potentially even higher. If a “Will contest” arises, the cost implications can be unpredictable and vary widely.
Can I handle Probate Without a Lawyer?
While there is typically no legal mandate to engage a probate attorney, it’s essential to recognize that probate is a highly formalized process. Even a minor oversight, such as failing to provide a copy of the petition to a family member, or missing a critical deadline, can result in significant disruptions or expose parties involved to legal liabilities.
The passing of a family member or close friend can sometimes evoke heightened emotions, even within close-knit families. Experience has shown that during such times, individuals may become overly emotional regarding relatively trivial matters, such as the distribution of items like an iron frying pan or a kettle. These seemingly minor issues, along with any delays or inconveniences, can lead to emotional distress, raise questions of fairness, and give rise to unwarranted suspicions among family members. Consequently, it is often highly advisable to entrust these matters to the expertise of a qualified attorney.
How much do you charge to Sell the Property?
Dedication, Compassion, Knowledge and Promise to handle your loved ones estate with care
Contact us to make a time to chat right away, regardless of your timeframe. It’s never too early to start getting your ducks in a row.
Thank you for taking the time to read through our site to get to know us, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!