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Three things to consider as the executor of an estate

You have been asked to be the personal representative. As the personal representative you have been appointed by provisions expressed in your loved one’s Will, or thorough the Probate Court. You may consider this position an honor but it can also be scary and even overwhelming.

As you assume this responsibility, here are three things you should consider:

 

  1. How much time do you have to spare?

As the personal representative you are responsible for handling all aspects of the estate. If you live far away you may need to travel to and from the property at least once to complete all the work. Be aware of how much time you are willing to put into the process. You may need professionals, like my team, to help you complete certain tasks such as liquidating the personal property and preparing the real estate for sale. There will be significant documentation to complete, including review of court documents that your attorney will oversee, documents through the sale of the real estate and even sorting through your loved one’s personal paperwork. Being a personal representative requires some organizational skills. It’s important that you keep detailed files of all transaction related expenses for the estate, and again consult a professional if you feel uncomfortable with certain responsibilities.

As you can imagine, all of this is time consuming and can be stressful, especially while grieving. So consider hiring professionals to help you, through the process of completing these tasks.

 

     2. Do you understand the probate rules and regulations?

There are laws and timetables to adhere to as the personal representative. You can do a search online to figure out what your responsibilities are, but I suggest that you find an experienced attorney who will save you a great deal of trouble when settling an estate.

 

     3. Do you understand your financial responsibilities as a personal representative?   

In most cases, you are entitled to compensation for your time, but know that you must keep detailed documentation to prevent any discrepancies.

No one does the work for the money and it’s important to keep in mind that small sums can still cause disputes among the beneficiaries. Be aware of your rights to compensation and do your best to keep other beneficiaries informed as to the amount of time you have put into the estate.

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.