HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THROUGH PROBATE?

The duration of the probate process varies with the size and complexity of the estate, as well as the difficulty in locating all the beneficiaries. If there is a Will and it is contested, or anyone objects to any actions you take as the Personal Representative, things can really drag out. You should know that the average probate in California from the date the petition for opening the probate is filed by your attorney to the date that the court orders final distribution of the assets takes anywhere from nine months or longer.

I’m certain you are wondering WHY SO LONG?

And the answer is that in most California counties, it takes six to eight weeks from the filing the petition for an estate personal representative to be appointed. And then once appointed, the executor or administrator has to give notice to all the creditors and those creditors have four months to file a claim. After that the real property needs to be prepared, marketed and sold plus the personal property needs to be addressed. Experience shows this can take another three to four months including the Notice of Proposed Action.

The good news is…handling the real property and the notice to the creditors can be occurring simultaneously.

And finally after the property is sold, a petition for distribution at the end of the probate also requires six to eight weeks before an actual order of distribution is signed by the court.

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Charlotte Volsch

What’s the right way to handle an inherited property—renovate, list, or sell it as-is? I am Charlotte Volsch, an Estate Property Advisor and Probate & Trust Real Estate Specialist helping attorneys, executors, and families make clear, confident decisions when selling inherited homes. I help attorneys, executors, and families navigate inherited property decisions throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert of Southern California, including Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Loma Linda, Fontana, and surrounding communities. Over the course of my career, I have completed 774+ real estate transactions across 24 years, including more than 230 probate and trust property sales. For the past 16+ years, I have focused specifically on estate property situations, working alongside probate and trust attorneys, fiduciaries, and their clients to guide each case from evaluation through sale. Many families are unsure what to do with an inherited home—whether to invest in repairs, list it traditionally, or sell it as-is. Without a clear strategy, estates can make costly mistakes such as over-improving a property, underpricing it, selecting the wrong sale method, or facing delays that impact timelines and estate objectives. I help evaluate those decisions early, so attorneys and their clients can move forward with clarity, avoid unnecessary risk, and choose the most appropriate path based on the property and the situation. I work directly with attorneys and their clients to determine the best path forward, whether that involves preparing a property for the retail market or facilitating a direct sale through a network of qualified investors. For properties that require repairs, may not qualify for traditional financing, or are best suited for as-is sale, I provide access to a network of more than 50 active real estate investors. Over the past 12 months, I have closed 68 transactions, reflecting consistent production and experience navigating changing market conditions. I guide each case using the C.A.L.M. Method: C — Clarify We identify what matters now versus what can wait. A — Align We define priorities—legal, financial, and personal. L — Lead I guide each step in the proper order to avoid delays and unnecessary complications. M — Move Forward Clients proceed with clarity and confidence. I am the Broker Owner of The Volsch Team at Volsch Enterprises, Inc., and hold certifications in Probate Real Estate through the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as well as Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor (Probate Biz). If you are an attorney handling probate or trust matters—or assisting a client with an inherited property—I’m available as a resource to help evaluate the best path forward.