By forsalebykama
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November 13, 2026
If you have inherited a house after someone you love passed away, you may be facing questions you never expected: Is there a trust? Am I in it? Do I have to go through probate? Could I lose the property? After more than 21 years of helping families with inherited property, probate, short sales, and foreclosures, I want to talk about the hard parts of real estate that nobody warns you about. Real Estate Is Rewarding, But It Is Not Always Easy Being in real estate has been one of the most rewarding things I have accomplished in my life. But it does not come easy. A lot of people think it is a simple job. You show homes, put a sign in the yard, hand over the keys, and everything works out perfectly. What they do not talk about are the hard things. The Hard Questions Families Face When They Inherit a Home When a loved one passes and leaves a home behind, families often ask: What do I do if I inherited a whole house and have never owned a home before? What happens if there is a trust, but no one can find it? What if I am not named in the trust, or the successor trustee will not share information with me? What if we might lose the property, or need to sell it before it gets that far? That is exactly what we talk about on Passing the Keys. Wills, Trusts, and Probate: Why a Will Is Not Always Enough I tend to get situations that feel impossible, and then the possible ends up happening. Many people believe that if their loved one had a will, everything is taken care of. But a will can be contested , and that is why understanding the difference between a will and a trust matters so much. When a property goes through probate , any interested person can file. At the end of the day, the judge determines who the rightful heirs are, as long as they come forward. What Is a Zombie Mortgage? Some families are shocked to learn that a company can show up 10 or even 20 years later claiming an old loan is still owed on the home. This is often called a zombie mortgage : a second mortgage that seemed to disappear, then comes back with a lender or servicer trying to collect or even take the property. These are hard situations, and they are things you need to know about before they happen to you. Why I Launched the Passing the Keys with Kama Speaks Podcast I launched my podcast, Passing the Keys with Kama Speaks , to have the hard conversations now. If you are not in probate yet, these conversations can make it easier to talk with your family, so that when a loved one passes, you are prepared. 🎧 Listen to the Passing the Keys trailer on Spotify . New episodes come out every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. How I Help Families With Inherited Property As a certified probate trainer, and certified in short sales and foreclosures, my goal is to help every family I can and make the process as easy as possible, even when it feels hard. I have worked with families in these exact situations for over 21 years. I can help you: Understand the probate and inherited property process Ask better questions of attorneys, trustees, and lenders Decide whether to keep, rent, or sell the inherited home Take the next step with confidence Nothing here is legal advice. I am not an attorney, but I work with trusted attorneys I can refer you to. Frequently Asked Questions About Inheriting a House Does having a will mean the house avoids probate? Not always. A will can be contested, and many estates with a will still go through probate. A properly funded trust is one tool families use to plan ahead. What if I cannot get information from the successor trustee? This happens more often than people think. Talk with an attorney about your rights, and work with a real estate professional who understands trusts and probate. Can I sell an inherited house before losing it to foreclosure? In many cases, yes. Acting early gives you more options, including a sale or short sale, before things go too far. Let Us Walk Through This Together, One Key at a Time If a house in your family is weighing on you, you do not have to figure it out alone. 👉 Book your free consultation with Kama 🎧 Subscribe to Passing the Keys with Kama Speaks
