Certainly, the frequently posed query regarding whether a house can be sold during the probate process in Florida yields an affirmative response, with the caveat that, similar to any real estate transaction, strict adherence to the relevant state regulations and guidelines is imperative. The sale of the property in probate is subject to meticulous oversight by the probate court, and if you hold the role of executor, you bear the responsibility of supervising and granting approval for all sale terms and conditions. While it may entail a multifaceted procedure, gaining a comprehensive understanding of it will undoubtedly facilitate a smoother course of action.
Can A House Be Sold While In Probate In Florida ?
Appointment of Administrator/Executor
In the event that the last will and testament of the deceased individual explicitly named an executor, and that chosen individual expresses their willingness to undertake the responsibilities of executorship, they are duly appointed as the executor. Conversely, when the will lacks a designated executor or no such designation exists, the court or other close relatives may designate a near relative to serve as the administrator.
Appraisal
The following step in the process involves getting the property appraised, and it’s crucial to ensure that the appraiser you select is not only licensed but also well-regarded in their field. This appraisal is of great significance because it establishes that the property must be sold for a price that is at minimum 90% of its appraised value. Therefore, selecting a highly competent appraiser who can provide an accurate valuation is imperative in this situation.
Sale
During this step, the process of answering the question, “Can a house be sold while it is in probate in Florida?” begins to take shape, moving from inquiry to reality. The initial action involves your real estate agent listing the house on a multiple listing service, making potential buyers aware that it’s a probate sale.
An interested buyer will present an offer, accompanied by a 10% deposit. You hold the authority to either accept or decline this offer. If you choose to accept it, the offer is then subjected to court confirmation. To proceed, you must submit the offer through your probate attorney to the court for this confirmation. When all parties are in agreement, a date is scheduled for the sale to receive final approval in court.
Once the offer on the probate house is accepted and court-confirmed, a Notice of Proposed Action must be sent to all the heirs. This document outlines the terms and conditions of the proposed sale. Heirs are given a 15-day window to review the notice and raise any objections they may have. In the absence of objections from the heirs, the sale can proceed without the need for a court hearing.
Overbidding
Now, this is where the process can become a bit intricate. Prior to the court officially confirming and approving the original buyer’s offer, the judge will inquire if anyone present in the courtroom wishes to make a higher bid on the property. If there are no additional bids, then the sale proceeds following the standard procedure mentioned earlier.
However, if an overbid occurs, certain steps must be taken. First, the original buyer’s 10% deposit must be refunded before the sale based on the new bid price can move forward. Once the overbid is accepted, the new buyer is required to provide a 10% deposit in the form of a cashier’s check. This deposit for the accepted overbid is handed over to the executor or administrator during the winning bidder’s acceptance hearing.
After court confirmation and approval, a contract can then be executed. It’s worth noting that this is a specialized type of sales contract with no room for contingencies, and the escrow process typically concludes shortly after the hearing, usually within 15 days.
As you can observe, the rules for selling a house while it’s in probate can be quite complex. It is strongly recommended to seek the assistance of an attorney for more tailored guidance in such situations.