If you are named as a successor trustee, you have many responsibilities. This individual must handle the trust of someone after they pass away.
One of the actions you may need to take in this role is selling the grantor’s home. Remember, selling real estate is complicated under any circumstances, and handling the process while dealing with all your other responsibilities as a successor trustee can be challenging. If there are disagreements between family members and beneficiaries, this makes the situation even more tricky.
The sale process will generally be the same for a successor trustee as it is the homeowner; however, you may not receive all the disclosures the original owner would.
Keep a copy of the trust on hand
To reduce the possibility of issues, you need correct and complete documents. A full copy of the original trust is necessary since it must be put in escrow.
It is smart to gather and organize all necessary documents before trying to sell the home. Doing this will help you avoid disruptions and delays that could occur. A document many people forget is the affidavit of death. This has to be recorded before the sale can be finalized.
Getting help selling a home as a successor trustee
Attempting to fulfill your duties as a successor trustee and making decisions can be overwhelming and stressful. This is especially true when you are grieving the loss of a family member. While this is true, you can seek assistance with this process.
You can work with a real estate agent and seek legal guidance to help you. With the right help, you can feel confident that the sale will go as smoothly as possible.