We serve Santa Clara County and provide probate real estate services.
What that means is we list homes in probate, trusts, and conservatorships. We do not, despite many requests to do so, represent buyers on the properties we list or any other probate homes. We focus on representing sellers exclusively.
Probate Real Estate Services vs Probate Help
We received a call last week from a person who said “I watched your video on Conservatorships and have a few questions. My name is [blank] and my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx.”
We know the Internet is where most people go to look for answers. We also know from experience that many people who call or request a consultation have missed a few facts, in terms of what we do, from our website, NeedProbateHelp.com.
When we returned the call to the person who watched the video on How to Create California Conservatorships, the first thing we made clear is that the video is not Kathleen Daniels, Probate Real Estate Broker it is of a probate attorney. Kathleen Daniels, the owner of the site, and the person who created the videos is a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, also known as CPRES.
Not only do we need to know who we are speaking with, but callers also need to understand who we are, what we do, and what we do not do. In other words, if the call is legal in nature, and not real estate, the best we can do to help is to refer to a probate attorney who can. We do not offer free probate help.
Many people who call us do not have the financial means to hire an attorney to get the legal help they need. That was the case with the person who called last week.
Despite the fact that we made it perfectly clear we are not attorneys, not licensed to practice law or give legal advice, the caller continued to ask questions and told the story of their spouse having had a stroke over two years ago. The spouse’s family member took the spouse to their house. They do not return calls or communicate in any way regarding their spouse.
The caller claimed their spouse’s family member filed for a conservatorship; the papers were not signed. There are no court records, etc., and wanted to know … how can they do that?
When the caller was asked “What is it that you want to accomplish?” the response was “I want my spouse to get the medical treatment needed so they can recover.”
While we are deeply sorry for the many unfortunate, and sometimes tragic stories we hear, we do not provide legal assistance and the attorneys we recommend do not offer free probate help.
We explained that they need an attorney for that. Some attorneys provide a free consultation and others charge for their consulting time. The attorney will establish the fact pattern and determine if they want to take the case. Most will charge a hefty retainer fee. Rates range from $400 to nearly $700 an hour. The caller was shocked.
While we cannot, and do not give legal or tax advice, we provide the professional courtesy of responding to all calls and consultation requests including those that are out of our service area and/or legal in nature.
If out of our service area in Santa Clara County, we recommend people contact a local attorney well-versed in whatever area of law they seek help. If the help needed is in our service area, then we can suggest legal and tax resources for people who have the financial means.
Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist
If properties are located in other areas of the state or out of the State of California, we are happy to help by recommending a real estate broker/agent where the home is located. We are networked with CPRES agents all across the U.S.
When people need to sell a home in probate, held in a trust, or conservatorship in Santa Clara County, we can help!
It is what we do. Our clients appreciate our knowledge and dedication to serving their needs. We are proud of what clients have to say about Kathleen Daniels.
When you need probate real estate services in Santa Clara County, hire Kathleen Daniels, she is a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, certified in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees, is well trained, and experienced in all aspects of probate real estate and the Santa Clara County probate court.