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In January 2024, we consulted with the Successor Trustee of their Mother’s Living Trust. The successor of trustee had vetted Kathleen Daniels before the consultation and was ready to move to the next step. After interviewing three real estate agents, and talking with Kathleen on the phone, they said, “I already know I want to hire you.”
We met at the San Jose home that was to be sold. While visiting the home, we discussed in detail the steps Need Probate Help takes to prepare a home for sale. The Successor Trustee resides in California yet is out of the area. Most out-of-state and out-of-area clients need us to be their boots on the ground and manage all aspects of preparing the home for sale.
Successor Trustee Definition
A successor trustee may take on managing a trust if the creator of the trust is no longer able to make decisions. A successor trustee is also the person who administers and settles a Trust after the creator of the Trust dies.
Successor Trustee Responsibilities depend on the instructions in the Trust. A successor trustee has fiduciary duties they must fulfill.
The client who hired Kathleen to sell the home in a trust after the death of their Mother waited 120 days after the attorney sent the statutory notice to beneficiaries and heirs which provides 120 days to contest the trust. If a trust is contested it is managed by the probate court. If that happens, it takes considerably longer to administer the trust estate.
Time Frame for Successor Trustee to Sell a Home
The timeframe for a Successor Trustee to prepare a home for sale can take several months depending on the circumstances and family dynamics.
In this case, it took two (2) months from the initial consultation to the day Kathleen could take possession by hiring a locksmith to change the locks and secure the property.
The next step in preparing the home was to clear the contents. By far the best in the home content-clearing business is Bison Junk Removal. The team arrives at the scheduled appointment time and within minutes after assessing what needs to be removed prepares an estimate to complete the job. Unlike other companies, Bison sorts what can be donated, donates the items, and provides a donation receipt.
They are fast, efficient, professional, friendly and offer affordable pricing. And they work with smiles even in the pouring rain.
Bison Junk arrived right on schedule. As they backed the truck onto the driveway, it started to rain, poured, and continued non-stop for five (5) solid hours. As soon as they closed the door on the second truckload of contents, rain let up. While we trust all of the vendors we work with, it is our policy to remain onsite while clearing out contents and inspections are performed. If a client decides to complete renovations the contractor is provided with a combination lock to access the home. Kathleen oversees all renovation projects.
Now that the home is cleared of all contents, the next step is to get home, termite, and chimney inspections. We expect this San Jose 95129 home will be ready to list in mid-April.
Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist
Kathleen Daniels is a licensed California Real Estate Broker, a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, and Certified in Professional Fiduciary Management for Trustees. Most homes sold by a Successor Trustee are not contested. If they are an understanding of the legal process is essential.
Kathleen Daniels Experience and Qualifications speak volumes. She knows she is not the right fit for everyone just as everyone is not the right fit for her. Her business model is focused on high-touch service, not high volume. She knows many of her clients require more time due to the complexities of what they are dealing with. Add to the complexities, they are also dealing with the emotions from the loss of a loved one.
If you are a successor trustee and need help selling property in a trust request a consultation. We will decide together if working together is a good fit.