Inherited, trust and probate real estate in San Diego
Securing the house, clearing it out, coordinating vendors and family, and selling it through closing. Whether the house is in a trust or going through probate, Scott Stollar carries the practical work so you don't have to manage every moving part yourself.
Serving San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Bay Park.
What Scott takes off your plate
An inherited house comes with a hundred small jobs. Scott takes them on, so you can take a breath.
Scott or a member of his team secures the house, sorts out locks and access, and checks on it while it sits empty. Scott also looks at the home's condition early, so the value is clear before anyone spends money on it.
Trusted vendors handle the cleanout, repairs and staging. Scott lines them up, manages them and keeps the work moving. You review and approve, and Scott coordinates the rest. With full service, prep can be paid from the sale at closing instead of out of pocket.
One Zoom conversation with everyone who has a say means everyone hears the same thing at the same time. Scott keeps decisions moving and sends regular updates, so owners who live out of state never have to fly back to manage the house.
"My situation was unique as I was out of town throughout the getting the house to market and sold. Scott handled everything for me and I cannot express how much of a stress relief this was."Mark Metz, Google review
Scott compares what the house would bring as is against what it would bring with improvements, and can bring a cash offer before listing so you can compare. Then he handles the pricing, marketing, negotiation, escrow and communication with your attorney through closing.
You don't have to manage every moving part. That is Scott's job.
Scott Stollar, REALTOR®Why Scott
"I lost my dad at 12 and my mom at 24, and had to handle the house I grew up in: the paperwork, the sale, the court timelines and the memories. At 31 I lost my grandparents and was relieved the house was in a trust. I was about to find out how hard it can still be. If anyone knows about inheriting a home, losing family and being the one to sort everything out, it's me."
Choose the right path
Most inherited homes in San Diego land in one of these two paths. Each page goes deeper into what happens with the house and how Scott helps.
The house is in a trustFor the person the trust names to take over, often called the successor trustee, and everyone who inherits.
The house is in probateFor executors and court appointed administrators, and for families where there is a will or no plan at all.
That's one of the most common places people start. Answer a few quick questions, or read who is usually in charge just below.
Who is in charge of the home?
Who can make decisions about the house depends on the documents that exist and how the house was titled. Here is how it usually works in California.
Every situation is different. The attorney handling the estate confirms who has the authority to act, and Scott works alongside them. This is general information, not legal advice.
The person the trust names to take over, called the successor trustee, is in charge of the house. In most cases no court is involved. That person still owes real duties to everyone who inherits, and the house is often the biggest one. Scott helps trustees decide what to do with the home and handles the sale if selling is the right call.
Trust home sale helpThe person the will names, often called the executor, is in charge once the court appoints them. Until then, no one has the legal power to sell the house. Scott works with executors from the start so the house is ready when the court says go.
Probate real estate helpThe court appoints someone to handle the estate, and California law decides who inherits. The house can't be sold until that person is appointed. Scott helps the person stepping into that role know what the house is worth and what it needs, so nothing is lost while the court process runs.
Probate real estate helpThis happens more than people think. If the house is still in the name of the person who passed, it may need a court step before anyone can sell, even with a trust in place. Scott works alongside the estate attorneys who handle that step and gets the house ready in the meantime.
Trust home sale helpIt depends on how the title was written. Sometimes the surviving owner already owns the whole house. Other times, the share of the person who passed goes through their estate. If the owners held it as joint tenants and both have passed, the house usually needs probate unless it was in a trust. Scott can help you find out which one applies and what it means for the house.
That's one of the most common places people start, and it's okay. Many people don't know if there's a trust, where the will is, or how the title was held. Scott can help you get it sorted out: finding the documents, checking how the house is titled, and figuring out who has the authority to act. Once that's settled, the next steps get much easier.
Book Inherited Home HelpHow Scott helps, step by step
A clear plan at the start, then one person coordinating the house until it closes.
Booking Inherited Home Help takes less than a minute. You don't need any documents or answers ready.
Before you meet, Scott researches the home and its title so unknowns and surprises come up early, not in the middle of escrow.
Just you, or everyone involved, can join, so everyone hears the same thing. You talk through concerns, the biggest headaches and anything urgent, and leave with a plan that honors everyone's needs. If selling is the goal, the plan focuses there. If you're weighing renting it out or waiting, Scott walks through those too, so everyone has clear answers.
Scott or a member of his team secures the house and looks at its condition, then compares selling as is against making improvements first, so you know which one leaves more in your pocket.
Cleanout, repairs and staging are handled by trusted vendors Scott manages, along with access, belongings, check-ins and updates for anyone who lives out of the area.
Pricing, marketing, negotiation, escrow and communication with your attorney, including the court steps a probate sale can require.
Every situation is different, so the order and timing shift. With a trust, the person who can sign is usually known, so work can start right away. In probate, everyone waits for the court to appoint that person. Scott uses that time to get the house ready, and knows the steps that keep a court sale moving instead of stalling.
More ways Scott helps
Prep, repairs, staging and cleanout with vendors Scott lines up and manages. Belongings can go to an estate sale, donation or straight to the people who want them.
Scott becomes your eyes and keys: locks, access, vendors, check-ins, video walkthroughs and regular updates, all handled locally.
Families often want different things from the same house. Scott leads the conversation with everyone who has a say, so decisions get made and the process keeps moving.
When someone wants to keep the home, Scott helps work out a buyout of the other owners and connects you with lenders who handle it. See how Prop 19 affects keeping it.
If payments have fallen behind, time matters. Scott has helped owners protect the home and its equity before it was lost.
Valuation, a full net sheet, pre listing inspection, open houses, negotiation, escrow and communication with your attorney through closing, including court confirmation when it applies.
Cash buyers tend to offer less once a house is on the market, so Scott gathers offers before listing and lays them next to what an open market sale would bring.
In certain situations, Scott can connect you with a way to receive part of an inheritance before the estate is settled.
When the house sells, Scott can help you buy your next home, so the move happens on your terms.
No documents, no idea how the house was titled? Scott helps track it down and connects you with the right attorney if you need one.
For budget conscious owners who want to keep more of the proceeds and don't mind some of the legwork. Scott gives you a plan, free guides and trusted referrals, and still handles the listing, negotiation and closing.
For people who want help but still want a hand in each decision. Scott coordinates the vendors and the sale while you stay involved and informed.
For people without the time, distance or energy to manage the details. Scott arranges the cleanout crew, contractors, staging and repairs, and is your one point of contact from cleanout to closing.
In their words
Scott is not a typical pushy real estate agent.
Charell, Google review
"Our escrow almost didn't close because of one stubborn obstacle. Scott went above and beyond the call of duty to resolve it."
Charell Google review
"In a stressful time he smooths the road, ensures all is taken care of, and always available."
Jason Ash Google review
"Scott is knowledgeable and practical and does everything he can to ensure a smooth transition for you and your family."
Lexi Marie Google review
Inherited Home Help is a Zoom conversation with Scott about the house. Before you meet, Scott researches the home and its title so surprises come up early. Just you, or everyone involved, can join the call. You talk through what is worrying you and what is urgent, and leave with a plan for the house.
Talking with Scott about your situation costs nothing.
No. Many people start without knowing if there is a trust, where the will is or how the house was titled. Scott helps you find out, and the plan starts from there.
Most of what Scott does for you is never billed, and with full service, prep can be paid from the sale at closing. See exactly how pricing works on the What It Costs page.
Yes. Many owners live out of the area. Scott and his team handle the house locally, from locks and vendors to check-ins, video walkthroughs and the sale, with regular updates along the way.
No. On your first call, Scott walks through selling, keeping, renting or waiting, so everyone involved understands what each choice means before deciding.
No. Scott is not an attorney or CPA, but he works well with both. For tax questions, check with your CPA about your situation. For estate and probate questions, check with your estate attorney. Don't have one? Just ask. Scott has several great people to recommend.
Scott helps with inherited, trust and probate homes across San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, Poway, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Cardiff, Rancho Santa Fe, Fallbrook and Bonsall. He also helps owners with homes in Orange County, Riverside County and parts of Los Angeles County.
It's going to be okay
You don't need every legal or property detail figured out. Bring what you know. Scott will do his homework before you meet and help you sort out the rest, so everyone can get back to normal life sooner.
Inherited Home Help is a Zoom conversation with Scott, and it costs nothing. Not sure where to start? .
Start with the free Inherited Home Playbook, or browse every guide in the Resources Hub. Prefer to ask live? Join the next free session on Zoom.
Scott is not an attorney or CPA, but he works well with both. For tax questions, check with your CPA about your situation. For estate and probate questions, check with your estate attorney. Don't have one? Just ask. Scott has several great people to recommend who love working with him. If your pro hasn't worked with Scott yet, don't worry. They'll love it, and it will save you time and money.
