Potential Outcomes for a House in Probate

If you have a close loved one who is nearing the end of their life, you may be wondering what happens to their estate when they pass away. The answer to that question will depend on what is in that person’s will (assuming they have one). When it comes to a house, there are a few ways things could go.

It Passes to Beneficiaries

If a single beneficiary was named in the will as the inheritor of the house, then the house will pass to that person once the probate process has been completed. If multiple beneficiaries were named, things may be a bit more complicated. Often, the simplest thing to do is to sell the house and divide the profits amongst the named beneficiaries. If that isn’t what the will directs, however, it may be up to everyone named to come to a mutual agreement on what to do with the property.

It Gets Sold

The estate becomes responsible for settling any outstanding debts upon a person’s death. Depending on the state of the estate and the debts, selling the house and using that money to resolve the debts may be the best move to make. It may also be the case that there are no beneficiaries to take over ownership of the house. In that case, the estate executor will be responsible for selling the house under the supervision of the probate court.

It May Avoid Probate Altogether

Probate is not always an inevitability. Depending on state laws, the house may automatically pass to someone else. This is most common when there is another person’s name on the deed to the house or when community property laws are in place. A house going into probate may also be avoided if it has been placed in a living trust. When this happens, ownership of the house technically doesn’t change upon the person’s death. That effectively prevents the house from going into probate.

Understanding the things that could happen to a house after its owner passes away can make preparing for that outcome much easier. Homes tend to be cherished places where so many memories are made. Having the time to come to an understanding of what is likely to happen can make dealing with the heightened emotions you’ll feel during the aftermath of a loved one’s passing a bit less burdensome.

Sometimes selling a house in probate is the best thing to do. Click here to take the first step toward selling a Golden Valley house to Minnesota Home Guys today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Minnesota Home Guys purchases land as well as houses. Whether it’s a vacant lot, acreage, or a parcel you inherited, we’re happy to take a look and make you an offer. Just submit the property details and we’ll get back to you.

Yes, absolutely. While we’re based in the Twin Cities, we buy houses all across Minnesota. Whether your property is in the suburbs, rural areas, or small towns, we’re interested. Submit your address and we’ll let you know how we can help.

We consider several factors when making an offer, including your home’s condition, recent comparable sales in the area, market trends, and any necessary repairs. Our goal is to provide you with a fair and competitive offer based on real market data.

No! We buy houses in any condition, whether they need minor updates or major repairs. You won’t have to spend a dime on renovations, inspections, or cleaning—we handle everything.

If your home is in foreclosure, we may still be able to buy it and help you avoid a full foreclosure process. The sooner you reach out, the more options we have to help. Contact us today to discuss your situation.

No, you will not be “listed” and waiting for a buyer – we are direct home buyers, not an agent offering to list your home and hope it sells. That means you don’t have to worry about showings, commissions, or waiting for the right buyer. We buy homes with cash, allowing for a fast and hassle-free closing.

Yes! If you’re a landlord with problem tenants or an unwanted rental property, we can make you a fair cash offer. You don’t have to wait for a lease to end—we buy properties with tenants still in place. “Tired landlord” is one of the most common situations we see.

We buy single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, multi-family properties, and even vacant land. If you’re unsure whether your property qualifies, just reach out to us!

Closing speed is based on your timeline. If you want to close fast, we can do that! If you need time, we can do that too!

Here’s how it works: Once you accept and sign our offer, we order the abstract update and a title opinion. If any title defects are found, we work with you to resolve them. Once the title is cleared, we set a closing date and begin preparing the legal closing documents. Closing date is typically 2-4 weeks from the time the offer is signed, but if you are in a hurry please call (952) 222-7138 and we can expedite the process!

When you choose to sell your property to us, we will cover the abstract update, title opinion, transfer tax, as well as closing costs. You will only be responsible to pay property tax up to the date of sale and any liens.

We guarantee closing on every offer we make. This is easily done because our team gets to know the seller, researches the property, understands current market trends, and has cash ready to close.

Yes! If your home is listed with a real estate agent, you’re still welcome to submit it to us for a cash offer. Keep in mind that if it’s under contract or you have listing obligations, you may need to coordinate with your agent—but we’re happy to work with listed properties.

Nope! One of the benefits of selling to Minnesota Home Guys is that you don’t need to lift a finger. You can leave behind furniture, trash, old appliances—whatever you don’t want to deal with. We’ll take care of everything after closing. Just take what you want and leave the rest.

Our cash offer is guaranteed as long as everything we discussed about your property checks out. The only time the offer would change is if we discover something unexpected during the title process—like a hidden lien, unpaid property taxes, or a contractor bill that wasn’t disclosed. We’re always upfront and transparent, and if something like this does come up, we’ll talk it through with you.