What is the fastest way to close a probate estate in San Diego?

The fastest path is to obtain full IAEA authority at the initial hearing (eliminating court confirmation for the real estate sale), file promptly after death, hire a probate-experienced realtor to begin marketing immediately, and use a probate-experienced escrow company. With everything aligned, a sale can close 5–6 months after the initial filing.

Can I sell a house before probate is complete in California?

Not without court authority. The personal representative must have Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration before signing any purchase agreement on behalf of the estate. However, a probate realtor can market the property and accept backup offers before Letters are issued, so the property is under contract the moment authority is granted.

What is the minimum sale price for a probate property in California?

For court-confirmation probate sales, the property must be listed and sold at or above 90% of the Probate Referee's appraised value. For example, if the Probate Referee appraises a Coronado home at $2.2 million, the minimum acceptable offer is $1.98 million. Full-authority IAEA sales have no statutory floor, but the personal representative still has a fiduciary duty to maximize proceeds.

What happens at a probate court confirmation hearing?

The judge reviews the proposed sale and opens the floor to overbids. Any person who appears with a 10% cashier's check can overbid. The minimum overbid is the accepted price plus 5% (or $500, whichever is greater). The judge confirms the sale to the highest qualifying bidder. If no overbids are made, the original buyer's offer is confirmed and escrow closes within 15–30 days.

How much does probate cost in California?

Total probate costs for a San Diego estate typically include court filing fees ($435–1,000+), publication costs ($200–$400), Probate Referee fee (0.1% of non-cash assets), statutory attorney fees (4% of first $100K, 3% of next $100K, 2% of next $800K), statutory executor fees (same scale), and realtor commissions (5–6%). For a $1.5 million estate, total costs often run $80,000–$120,000.

How Long Does Probate Take in California? A Step-by-Step San Diego Timeline

Q: How long does probate take in California?

California probate typically takes 9–18 months from filing to final distribution. Simple estates with no real property can close in 6 months. Estates with San Diego coastal real estate that require court confirmation regularly run 12–18 months. Contested cases or those with missing heirs can extend to 24+ months.