Denver, CO asked in Probate for Colorado

Q: My mother died and I need to sell her house - does probate have to be finished before I can do this?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Jim Ed "Jed" Franklin
Answered
  • Probate Lawyer
  • Denver, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: Probate does not have to be finished in order to sell property of the deceased. However, the seller must have authority; this person is usually the personal representative/executor. The personal representative distributes property and pays off debt. If there is a debt on the house, like a mortgage, it must be satisfied either before the sale, or during the sale from the proceeds. You must also look at the will, if any, to see what authority the executor has to sell property. If there is no will, then the statutes take over. I suggest you retain a lawyer, if you are the personal representative, or if not, then you may need a lawyer to ensure that the proceeds from any sale are distributed correctly. Usually lawyers are useful in any probate that is the least bit complex.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.