California Probate Sale Timeline

If you are selling a home that has to pass through California probate, the timeline is driven by the court, not the buyer. This guide gives a general phase-by-phase overview so you know what to expect. Actual timelines vary by county court and the specifics of the estate.

Phase 1 — File the probate petition

The process starts when a probate petition is filed in the county where the deceased person lived. Notice is given to heirs and interested parties, and the court schedules a hearing. This phase typically takes weeks, depending on the court’s calendar.

Phase 2 — Appoint the personal representative

At the hearing, the court appoints the personal representative (the executor if there is a will, or an administrator if there is not). Once appointed, the representative is authorized to manage the estate, including eventually selling the home. This phase can take weeks to a few months depending on the court and any disputes.

Phase 3 — Get authority to sell the home

California allows different forms of probate administration. With independent administration, the representative may have more flexibility to sell without returning to court for every step. In other cases, the representative needs a court order to sell. This is the point where a buyer can be lined up with an offer ready to execute.

Phase 4 — Escrow and court requirements

Once the sale is underway, it moves into escrow. Depending on the type of probate, the court may require notice, a publication period, or — in some sales — an overbid hearing where other buyers can bid higher at court. Your probate attorney can tell you whether an overbid hearing applies to your case.

Phase 5 — Close and distribute

The home closes, the proceeds go into the estate, and the court supervises the final distribution to heirs. From filing to final distribution, a full California probate commonly runs several months to over a year, depending on the court, the complexity of the estate, and any disputes.

Where a cash buyer fits in the timeline

A cash buyer cannot speed up the court. But once the court authorizes the sale, a cash buyer can close quickly — in as little as 7 days, with our average around 14 days — and can also wait for the court schedule. That flexibility is useful for heirs who want certainty of close and do not want to make repairs to an older family home.

What to do next

If you have an inherited home in the Bay Area, tell us about the property and we’ll send a written cash offer within 24 hours. We can coordinate with your probate attorney on timing so the sale lines up with the court process. We serve Oakland, San Jose, Danville, Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and more. See our guide to selling an inherited house in California for the broader process.