The Probate Process For A House In Chesterfield, MO – How To Avoid Getting Scammed

We Buy Houses In Chesterfield, Missouri, and provide residents with the ideal way to sell their homes fast by offering cash for houses in Chesterfield no matter the condition of the house. Probate is simply the process of administering a decedent's estate. Most of us have heard the stories about how long and headache filled the probate process usually is, and we dread it when we actually have to face it. The reality though, is that when done right, the probate process for a house in Chesterfield, MO can be as simple as four easy steps. The flip side is that both the dread and simplicity often open people up to certain probate scams. As local homebuyers in Missouri, we will help you understand how the process works and how to avoid any scams that may pop up along the way. Let's take a look.

Probate Process For A House In Chesterfield, MO

Without the right kind of trust in place, probate usually follows a person's passing. Probate is the process by which the decedent's debts are settled and his or her property (held on his or her name alone and not otherwise legally distributed) is transferred to beneficiaries and heirs. Typically, the probate process follows four steps.

1. The first step involves filing a petition with the probate court to admit the will and appoint an executor or, if there's no will, to appoint an administrator of the estate. A hearing date is set, and a notice of the hearing is published locally.
2. After being appointed by the court, the decedent's personal representative gives notice to all creditors, and an inventory of the estate is made.
3. After determining which claims are legitimate, the personal representative pays all expenses, debts, and taxes from the estate. Sometimes, this involves selling estate assets to meet obligations.
4. Assets (legal title to a house, for instance) are disbursed according to the decedent's wishes expressed in the will or, in case there is no will, according to the state's intestate succession laws.

Common Probate Scams In Chesterfield, Missouri

These are some new twists on old scams that owe their re-birth (and effectiveness) chiefly to the internet and email. They always, however, target the vulnerable.

1. Probate Avoidance Scam – The perpetrators of this scam usually target the elderly. It involves persuading victims to buy fraudulent products that purport to help them avoid probate, for example, a very expensive living trust kit. Once the scammers have the money in their hands, they either never deliver or provide a product that is actually legally useless.
2. Inheritance/Estate Tax Scam – Some states still levy an inheritance or estate tax. Using a trusted person's or organization's name, scammers contact potential executors/personal representatives informing them that they stand to inherit a bunch of money. The only catch is that – because in these states the tax must be paid before probate can go forward – the victims must first send the scammers an inflated tax.
3. Fraudulent Listings Scam – This one owes its effectiveness to the popularity of sites like Craigslist for home shoppers, especially renters, and applies particularly to the probate process for a house in Chesterfield, MO. Scammers research the property of recently deceased individuals and advertise it for rent. Then, when the scammers collect the deposit and first month's rent, they disappear, leaving the people engaged in probate to deal with the upset victim.

Sell My House In Chesterfield, MO

If you're facing probate, especially the probate process for a house in Chesterfield, MO, it's probably not as ominous and frightening as it first seems. Knowing what it involves and being aware of the common probate scams are good first steps – but there's more to consider.

But you can directly sell your house in St. Louis here at Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis. We have experienced Missouri home buyers that will help sellers like you to get away from the stress brought from dealing with the probate process and scams.

If You'd Like To Learn More About Probate And How To Sell Your Property, Call Us At (314) 334-1481 Or Fill Our Simple Form