Author: Hannah Ray

When someone passes away without a will in California, families are often left confused about what happens next — especially if the estate includes a home. One of the first questions heirs ask is: What happens to the house if there is no will? The short answer: the property still goes through probate, but California’s … Continued

Divorce is already one of life’s most emotionally and financially stressful experiences. Adding a house to the equation? That can make things even more complicated. In Los Angeles, where median home values often sit near or above $800,000, a home is usually the largest shared asset in a marriage. Deciding what to do with it … Continued

Moving out of Los Angeles is a big decision. Whether it’s for a new job in another state, a growing family that needs more space, retirement, financial pressure, or simply a desire for a slower pace of life — one major question almost always follows: What do you do with the house? For many homeowners, … Continued

If you own a home in Orange County, there’s a good chance it’s one of your largest assets. And if you’ve ever dealt with probate before — or watched a loved one go through it — you already know it can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. The good news? Probate is often avoidable. In California, … Continued

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind a home in Orange County, many families assume they must wait until probate is completely finished before selling the property. That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about probate. In reality, yes — you can sell a house before probate is completed in Orange County, but the … Continued

If you’re handling an estate in Riverside County, you might be wondering whether probate works differently there compared to the rest of California. The short answer is this: YES! The legal framework for probate in Riverside County is the same as the rest of California — but there are local practices and procedural nuances that … Continued

When a loved one passes away and leaves property behind, families in Orange County are often caught off guard by how expensive probate can be. Between court fees, attorney costs, appraisals, and ongoing property expenses, probate can quietly eat into an estate faster than most people expect. One of the first questions families ask is … Continued

When a loved one passes away and leaves property behind, families often expect probate to be a short, procedural step. In reality, probate in Orange County can take much longer than most people anticipate — especially when real estate is involved. One of the first questions families ask is simple but stressful: How long does … Continued

Everything families need to know — timeline, steps, challenges, and how the sale fits into probate Probate is one of the most confusing words families encounter after losing a loved one — especially when there’s real estate involved. And in Orange County, selling a home during probate has its own timelines, legal nuances, and strategic … Continued

Inheriting a home is emotional. Finding out that the house is still in probate — and that you may need to sell it before probate is finished — can add a whole new layer of confusion and stress. Many California families ask the same questions: The short answer is: yes, you can sell an inherited … Continued

Selling an inherited home is rarely simple. Selling one from another city or state can feel downright overwhelming. Many heirs live hours away — sometimes across the country — while trying to manage probate paperwork, sibling decisions, property upkeep, and emotional stress. Add travel costs and time constraints, and the process can quickly feel unmanageable. … Continued

Inheriting a rental property can feel like both a blessing and a burden. On paper, it’s an asset — but in reality, it often comes with tenants, deferred maintenance, tax questions, and pressure to make the “right” financial decision. One of the biggest questions heirs ask is: How do capital gains taxes work when selling … Continued

Inheriting a house with siblings can quickly turn from a shared responsibility into a source of serious tension — especially when not everyone agrees on what to do next. One sibling may want to sell immediately. Another may want to keep the house. Someone else might want to rent it, move in, or “wait and … Continued

Inheriting a house in California can bring up a mix of emotions—gratitude, grief, stress, and uncertainty. And when that inheritance is shared with siblings, things can get complicated quickly. Even families that usually get along can find themselves overwhelmed by legal steps, financial decisions, and differing opinions about what to do next. This 2025 guide … Continued

Owning a distressed property can quietly wear you down. Maybe the house needs more repairs than you can afford. Maybe it’s inherited, vacant, or tied to a stressful life event. Or maybe you’ve already tried fixing things — only to realize the problems keep piling up. Many California homeowners eventually reach the same question: Is … Continued

When a parent needs long-term care, many California families quickly discover just how expensive that care can be. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can cost $8,000–$12,000 per month or more, and very few families can afford that long-term out of pocket. That’s when Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) often enters the conversation — and with … Continued

Discovering mold or serious water damage in your home can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re trying to sell quickly. Whether it’s from a roof leak, plumbing failure, flooding, or past fire damage, many California homeowners find themselves asking: Can I sell a house with mold or water damage — and how fast can I … Continued

Earthquakes are a fact of life in California. While many cause only minor shaking, others can leave homeowners dealing with cracked foundations, shifted walls, roof damage, or safety concerns they never planned for. If your home was damaged in an earthquake, you may be wondering: Can I sell my house after an earthquake — and … Continued

A leaking roof is one of the most stressful problems a homeowner can face — especially when you’re thinking about selling. Water stains, active leaks, mold concerns, and nervous buyers can make you wonder: Should you fix a leaking roof before selling… or sell the house as-is and move on? The truth is, there’s no … Continued

If you’ve been told your house has foundation problems, you might feel stuck. Cracks in walls, sloping floors, or doors that won’t close can raise a scary question for homeowners across California: Can you even sell a house with foundation problems? The short answer is yes — you absolutely can. But how you sell, who … Continued