Probate Deals in the News Paper

[Mike N.]

I heard in the forums that in some areas the probates are advertised in the paper. In my local paper I see, “Notice of Trustee’s Sale†is this it? Listed in the description it says the property is going to be auctioned off. I would imagine it would no longer be able to be sold to a private party unless I wanted to show up to the auction, right?

[Jerry Puckett]

Mike,
What you're looking for in that Notice to creditors is 1) the deceased's name, 2) the Executor's, Administrator's, or Personal Representative's name and address. You will have to crosscheck the deceased's name with the county tax records to see if there was any real property. And many times the Executor's address will be that of an attorney. As to the timing, I would not wait too long after the filing of public notice.

@Realtyman, yes it does have an outward appearance of ambulance chasing. However, there is also a need to be fulfilled. Death, sadly, can not be avoided, and so many leave without having their affairs in order. It would only take one time seeing the relief in the face of an heir who's problem you just solved ("what do you mean there are taxes to be paid? How much? How are we going to....) to relieve you of any gruesomeness.