Detroit, MI · Member since 2012 · 170 posts · 21 votes
I was recently watching an instructional video by a local real state wholesaler, who said that I should be able to go to my local probates records department and just ask for the files from the last 2 weeks of probate court.
I am trying to do this research, so that I can find people who may have been awarded properties via probate court that don't really want to own those properties.
When I went down to the probate court today, they told me that they can't give files out in that manner, and that I would need to provide them specific case numbers.
With that being the case, how would I go about coming up with the case numbers?
And if it's not possible to come up with the case numbers, how else might I go about finding people in this situation?
Every courthouse is different in how they store their records and how they let you research them. Some counties have their records available online, some have them in actual hard copy files, others have computers that they will let you use. Be friendly and ask the clerks for help. With a little persistence and tact, you should be able to access the information you are looking for.
Once you get the probate, it is easy to determine if they owned property. Any property they owned will usually be listed in the inventory & appraisal or the will. You could also search in the deed records to see if the deceased owned any property.
Most courthouse research is fairly simple once you know your way around in there and get to know the people working there.
Those that attempt probate investing find out info in various ways:
1. Become friends with probate attorneys so when heirs do not want a property and want to sell fast - they call you.
2. Some read the daily obituary section of their local newspaper.
3. When a will goes through probate the Executor of the estate has an attorney file notices to any and all creditors. This has to run for a period of 6 weeks and may be only posted once a week for at a minimum 2-3 printings. The newspapers to watch are the legal papers where these notices are posted.
Hope this helps you on your search to get into "hearse chasing".
2. Some read the daily obituary section of their local newspaper.
How might someone go about reaching out if they found leads that way?
Send a letter addressed to the family of the deceased, offering condolences, and inquiring about whether they may be interested in selling the property?
You have it! Of course you would need to verify there was property involved. Some seniors who pass away are living in nursing homes. Not everyone owns property, they may be in an apartment or living with other family members.
Another thing you might want to try would be to see if probate cases are held on a certain day. Be there and you can listen in or at the information desk or in the hallway, there should be a list of cases to be heard that day - case numbers, attorneys involved, etc.
You have it! Of course you would need to verify there was property involved. Some seniors who pass away are living in nursing homes. Not everyone owns property, they may be in an apartment or living with other family members.
Is there any other way of researching whether or not the deceased had a property, other than searching for their name in an online phone book or something, to see if they're listed with a property attached to their name?
Every courthouse is different in how they store their records and how they let you research them. Some counties have their records available online, some have them in actual hard copy files, others have computers that they will let you use. Be friendly and ask the clerks for help. With a little persistence and tact, you should be able to access the information you are looking for.
Once you get the probate, it is easy to determine if they owned property. Any property they owned will usually be listed in the inventory & appraisal or the will. You could also search in the deed records to see if the deceased owned any property.
Most courthouse research is fairly simple once you know your way around in there and get to know the people working there.