Trust & Probate Sales
Other Services:
Hawaii Trust & Probate Real Estate Sales
When real estate is held in a trust or becomes part of an estate, selling it involves more moving parts than an ordinary sale: court timelines, trustee or personal representative approvals, heirs in different time zones, a property that may have sat empty, and a family that's grieving.
I handle the real estate side of trust and probate sales across Maui and Oahu: valuation, preparation, marketing, buyer negotiations and the transaction itself. I coordinate with the family's attorney, CPA and escrow team so the sale fits the legal process instead of fighting it.
For Trustees
If you're the successor trustee, the property is now your responsibility: keeping it insured and maintained, getting a date-of-death valuation, deciding whether to sell or distribute, and documenting every step for the beneficiaries. I'll give you a written valuation, a preparation plan with real estimates, and a sale process that keeps a paper trail your attorney and the beneficiaries can follow.
For Personal Representatives (Probate)
If there's no trust, the property goes through Hawaii probate, and the court may need to confirm the sale. That changes timing, pricing strategy and how offers are handled. I've worked with the attorneys who do this on Maui and know how to market a property so it sells within the process rather than waiting on it.
What I handle
❏ Written property valuation, including date-of-death value when needed
❏ Assessing the property's condition, permits, water and wastewater, and anything that affects sale
❏ Coordinating contents removal, estate sale or donation, cleaning and repairs with written estimates
❏ Preparation, staging and photography
❏ Marketing through Compass to local, mainland and international buyers
❏ Managing offers, inspections, disclosures, escrow and closing
❏ Regular written updates to the trustee or personal representative and, when asked, to the beneficiaries
What I don't replace
Legal and tax decisions belong with your attorney and tax professional. I'm not either of those, and I won't pretend to be. My role is to make sure the real estate portion of the estate is handled correctly, efficiently and with respect for the people involved. If you need an estate attorney or CPA on Maui or Oahu, I'll introduce you to ones I've worked with.
What do I need to do as a Trustee?
❏ Take care of yourself and family
❏ Seek advice from CPA, financial planner, estate attorney, insurance
❏ Death certificate, Trust documents, Trustors mailing address
❏ Obtain EIN number
❏ Obtain Trust certificate
❏ Notify beneficiaries
❏ Control assets in the home
❏ Contact Trustors employee benefit provider and social security department
❏ Time of death appraisal
No trust = Probate
Talk to me before you list
The most expensive mistakes in trust and probate sales happen before the property hits the market: a repair that shouldn't have been done, a price set without a real valuation, an heir who wasn't consulted. Call or text (808) 281-9530 or use the form below. I'll tell you what I'd do first.
