When To Start Probate Mailings

[Gary Parker]

At the end of March I will have sent letters to probate prospects for six months. I have been gathering the data every Monday for the previous week's filings and mailing a professional letter then a post card every 30 days two times, then a letter every 60 days. After 2 60 day mailings I may move to 90 day or just stay at 60 days for a year or so. My assumption is that once a family files the probate they are ready to deal with the estate. I have purchased two properties from this.

Starting in April I may test a different mailing time line. My question is when are others mailing to their probate prospects...right after filing or waiting a while.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

[Jerry Puckett]

I collect the information for the mailings the day Letters Testamentary are issued. But I generally wait two or three weeks after this to allow them time to post their Notice to Creditors. One sympathy card (no offers, just sympathy), a business letter, 2 postcards, each 30 days apart. Follow up at 6, 9, 12 and 18 months.

Before the 9, 12, and 18 month, I check to see if the property is still available, listed, sold. I track the sales and listing timelines to look for patterns, but I don't have enough data to see anything definitive yet.

Keep doing what you're doing, track everything, and look for patterns in your data.

[Gary Parker]

Does your sympathy card list your company name or is there any indication you are a realtor or an investor? Or, do you just give sympathy then your name?

[Jerry Puckett]

Just sympathy, name, and phone number. When they call to ask who I am, I tell them.

"No, I didn't know your loved one personally, but I help families like yours all the time, and I know that going through the probate process can be pretty tough. I just wanted to offer some moral support, and let you know I'm here if you need my help."

If at this point they inquire further, I let their tone determine where I go next. If they are warming, I get specific. If not, I suggest this probably isn't the right time:

"You know, this is likely not a real priority to you right now. I'll be sending a letter to you pretty soon that goes into some detail, and we can talk again after that. In the meantime, my condolences to you and yours"

Now you have either a lead or a phone number and warm contact.

[Gary Parker]

Thank You Jerry very helpful as i design another mailing system to test.

[Jerry Puckett]

Originally posted by Gary Parker:

Thank You Jerry very helpful as i design another mailing system to test.

Always happy to help. That's what we're here for.