How long does the Virginia Beach probate timeline take?
In most cases, the standard probate process in Virginia can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to fully close. This also includes a mandatory 6-month period where creditors can make claims against the estate. There is no need to wait a year to sell. You can sell a house before probate is finished in VA. Once the executor is officially appointed by the court, they are given the authority to sell the property to a cash buyer like Integrity Cash Home Buyers. This will stop the ongoing holding costs while the rest of the estate will be settled accordingly.
Recently, I bought a house in Virginia Beach that belonged to a client who inherited it from her parents. Her father had passed the previous year and she was named the executor to his estate soon after. She already had a home of her own and thought either of her siblings would want to move in. While a noble gesture at first, both of the siblings said “thanks, but no thanks”. One of them would say to her “there’s work that needs to be done to that house and I don’t have the money nor the time”.
So I didn’t blame her one bit for selling the house. The thing she told me was that her father’s probate case had yet to be settled. She was worried if she had to sell the house, would it mess things up. I told her she didn’t have to worry. Since she had the legal authority to sell the house to my team and I at Integrity Cash Home Buyers, it wouldn’t complicate the process.
The best part for her was that she could sell the house as-is. She told me that while she agrees with one of her siblings that the place needed repairs, she wanted to get rid of the property fast knowing how much it could cost her just hanging onto it. Making the cash offer in Virginia Beach to her was probably one of the easiest and most straightforward things to do next as part of the Virginia probate timeline.
Step 1: Where Does the Process Start? (Months 1-2)
In this early step of the process, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with the clerk’s office if you want to probate a will in Virginia Beach. That takes place at the Probate Division of the Virginia Beach Circuit Court probate office. You’re going to need the will so the clerk can review it. From there, they’ll confirm your role in the probate process and appoint you the Executor of the estate. If no will is present, they can appoint you the administrator. You may need to file a Virginia Beach probate application or similar paperwork.
From there on, you now have the legal authority to handle the assets of the deceased. This includes accessing their bank account, paying their bills, and selling property that they own. If you do not have the legal authority, you can’t do anything. But you can immediately make decisions if you are the executor or administrator. From there, the Virginia Beach probate records are update to where you are officially named as such. You may need Virginia Beach probate forms to have on hand in case confirmation is necessary with the banks, creditors, etc.
Step 2: The Inventory and Creditor Waiting Period (Months 3-8)
I have talked with clients who were executors of the estate of deceased individuals such as their parents or relatives. One of them told me that the inventory and creditor waiting period was one of the hardest and most confusing things to do. The reason for this is that they are responsible for filing the inventory. In other words, they have four months to file a full inventory of the estate’s assets with the Commissioner of Accounts.
Those assets include the house, bank accounts, and other personal property that the deceased own. One thing to note is that creditors can’t come forward due to a 6 month waiting period that is implemented by Virginia law. They can file claims for medical bills, credit cards, or loans. You can’t skip this waiting period so you’ll want to assess what the deceased had for bills, credit cards, loans, or anything specific relating to what creditors may be looking for.
Finally, the house in particular is something that you’ll want to focus on. The holding costs can eat up your finances because the house needs insurance, the utilities stay on, property taxes pile up, and the need for maintenance is ongoing. Even one home homeowner in Norfolk lamented to me, “before I decided to sell to you, I was spending $2,000 a month because of this damn house.” He was happy now that he didn’t have to spend another month losing that much money thanks to the cash offer we gave him. Yes, we buy houses in Norfolk and all over the Hampton Roads region that were inherited properties.
The Hidden Burden: Cost of Probate in Virginia
There’s plenty of hidden costs that pop up as part of the probate process. One client in Portsmouth told me it was more than just paper work. He showed me invoices where he paid clerk filing and recording fees. Yes, there were also attorney fees that he was paying too (which is anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000+). What also makes me recoil at times is Virginia has a probate tax that is $0.10 per $100 of the estate value. So for example, if the estate is worth $500,000, you end up spending $500 in the probate tax on top of local fees.
There’s also the cost of time. Especially where the longer you hold onto the house, the more you pay in utilities. Plus, maintenance can also eat away at the estate funds as well. In the blink of an eye, you could lose tens of thousands of dollars. You can sell your house in Portsmouth in as little as 14 to 21 days without even having to worry about losing more money than you need to.
Selling A House in Probate Virginia: Your Options
At this point, you have a major decision to make here. Your first option to sell a house in probate is the traditional route. I can already tell you flat out that you’ll be in for a rough time. Because you’re tasked with the responsibility of cleaning out belongings that have been in your family for decades. Not to mention, the repairs and updates are something that potential buyers will be demanding left and right. Plus, let’s not forget my personal favorite (and I say this sarcastically) preparing for showings and inspections. I hate those open house showings because they seem so fake and superficial. Lookie-loo buyers are what you’re going to attract. Maybe a few nosy neighbors as well. No serious buyers ever show up to those things.
And what also annoys me are those particular buyers that want updated kitchens, new roofs, and move-in-ready conditions that may seem like a lot up front. You have neither the time nor the money to meet those borderline excessive demands. As I tell people, more time and more money is a complete waste. I urge you to reconsider going down this route if you have a house in probate that you need to sell.
But you have a second option which is by far the easiest. You can go the “ sell as-is” route. That’s where you work with my team and I at Integrity Cash Home Buyers. You don’t need to clean the house, fix anything, or wait months for a buyer. We are interested buyers and purchase the property exactly as it sits. How our process works is simple: you call us to schedule a property discovery and we look over the property. We’ll factor in the repairs and anything else of interest. We give you a cash offer and the deal is closed in 14 to 21 days.
Now you know how to sell your home by yourself without the hassle of dealing with the traditional market. Because we have heard so many stories from people about how they lost out on a ton of money selling their house. Don’t be that next dreadful story that we hear.
FAQ: Navigating Virginia Estate Sales
Can you sell a house before probate is finished in VA?
Yes. Once you are appointed the executor and receive the Letters of Qualification, you have the legal authority to sell the property. The proceeds go into the estate account while probate is ongoing.
Do I have to pay to clean out the house before selling?
No. If you sell to a direct buyer like Integrity Cash Home Buyers, you can take what you want and leave behind the unwanted items.
Conclusion: Stop the Financial Drain on Your Inherited Property
As a professional cash home buyer, we want to make sure your inherited property can be sold as soon as possible. If you are the executor or administrator of an estate and wish to sell a property that you or family inherited, Integrity Cash Home Buyers can help. All you need to do is contact us and we’ll perform a property discovery in about 15 minutes. After that, you get a cash offer and you’re good to go. Don’t miss out on an opportunity that can save you a lot of money. Contact us today for a property discovery that can take the inherited property off your hands.
