Estate & Probate Specialist • Southeast Michigan

You Shouldn't Have to Manage a Home Sale While Managing a Loss

Whether you're here in Livingston County or across the country, we handle the house so you can focus on what matters. Cleanouts, repairs, court paperwork, and the sale — all of it.

Full ServiceCleanouts, repairs, staging, sale
Court CompliantProper probate documentation
Local or Far AwayWe handle it either way

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Whether you're local and juggling work and family, or out of state trying to manage from a distance — here's what you can take off your plate:

Spend your weekends dealing with the house

Whether you're local or out of state, you've got your own life. We handle showings, contractor meetings, and property access so you don't have to rearrange yours.

Figure out what to do with decades of belongings

We coordinate estate cleanout services. They'll sort, donate, and dispose — respectfully and efficiently.

Find and manage contractors for repairs

We have a trusted vendor network. We get quotes, oversee the work, and handle payment through closing if needed.

Navigate probate paperwork alone

We provide court-compliant documentation, work with your attorney, and know what the court needs to see.

Coordinate with siblings who can't agree

We communicate with all heirs equally, document everything, and help facilitate decisions objectively.

Pay property taxes, insurance, and utilities while it sits

We work efficiently. Our goal is to get the property prepared and sold before carrying costs eat into the estate.

Estate Sales We've Handled

The Situation

Local Family. Previous Agent Failed. 6 Weeks, Zero Showings.

Family in the area, but working full-time with kids. Their first agent wasn't getting results. They needed someone to take over and actually move things forward.

What We Did

Fresh Strategy, Professional Presentation

Walked through the property, provided specific prep instructions, re-launched with professional photography and strategic marketing.

SOLD — Day 1, Full Price Offer
"Joel and his team more than exceeded our expectations! Our first agent had our house listed for 6 weeks and we did not have any showings. The day we signed with Joel, we had a showing and an offer."

Karen & Tom Whitfield

Local Estate Sale

The Situation

Seller in Dallas. Property in Michigan. Needed 100% Remote.

Owner couldn't be present for any part of the process — not showings, not contractor meetings, not closing. Needed someone trustworthy to manage everything from the ground.

What We Did

Full Remote Management

Managed contractors, coordinated access, handled every detail from lights being turned on and off to final closing documents — all while the owner stayed in Texas.

SOLD — 30 Days, As Promised
"Joel managed issues large and small while I lived in Dallas Texas. From lights being turned on and off, to managing contractors working in the house, to coordinating with other realtors; his services were flawless."

Celeste Stachurski

Out-of-State Seller, Dallas TX

The Situation

224 Days on Market. Two Failed Agents. Outdated Home.

Estate property that had been sitting. Poor showing feedback, outdated finishes, the family was ready to give up.

What We Did

Strategic Updates + Fresh Launch

Coordinated paint, staging, granite counters, new light fixtures and hardware. Re-photographed and presented the property in its best light.

SOLD — 34 Days, 98% of Asking
"After 224 days on the market with two separate Realtors, this home had few showings. We took over, had our contractors update the home, and 15 showings later — SOLD."

RCG Case Study

Estate Property Turnaround

Understanding the Probate Timeline

Michigan probate typically takes 7–18 months. Here's where we fit in:

Month 1–2

Petition for Probate Filed

The process begins. Someone files with probate court to open the estate.

Month 2–4

Letters of Authority Issued

Court appoints Personal Representative with legal authority to act for the estate.

Month 2–6

Property Can Be Listed & Sold

With proper authority, the property can be prepared, listed, and marketed. This is where we take over — cleanouts, repairs, staging, and the sale.

← We Start Here
Month 4–12

Sale, Court Approval (if needed), Closing

We market the property, negotiate offers, and coordinate with the court if approval is required.

Month 6–18

Proceeds to Estate, Distribution to Heirs

Sale closes, proceeds go to estate, eventually distributed after debts and taxes are settled.

For Estate & Probate Attorneys

A Real Estate Partner Your Clients Can Trust

When you refer estate clients to us, you're giving them someone who understands the legal requirements and handles the property side completely.

Court-Ready Documentation

CMAs, appraisals, and reports that meet Michigan probate court requirements.

Full Property Management

Cleanouts, repairs, staging — we coordinate everything so your clients don't have to.

Multi-Heir Coordination

Equal communication with all parties. Documented decisions. Fewer disputes for you to mediate.

Local & Remote Clients

Whether your client is in Howell or Houston, we handle everything on the ground.

Proactive Communication

You won't chase us. We keep you and your client informed at every stage.

Deadline Accountability

Court deadlines or distribution timelines? We build our entire process around them.

"Joel did a great job for us selling a house in Commerce Township after only 1 week of listing. As an attorney, I was impressed by the document preparation and follow up with the buyer and the title company. I definitely recommend Joel to both buyers and sellers!"

David Steinberg

Attorney, Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.

Common Questions About Estate Sales

It depends on how the property was titled. If it was solely in the deceased's name without a trust or Lady Bird deed, probably yes. If it was in a trust or had right of survivorship, maybe not. We can help you figure out which applies.
Absolutely. Most of our estate clients are local families who have jobs, kids, and lives of their own. You don't need to be out of state to benefit from our full-service approach. We handle the cleanouts, repairs, showings, and sale so you can focus on your family.
We've managed entire sales for families in Dallas, Arizona, Florida, and beyond. Video walkthroughs, contractor management, digital signatures, remote closings. You don't need to fly in for any part of the process.
We coordinate estate cleanout services. Whether it's normal household items or a more challenging situation, we have trusted partners who handle this respectfully and efficiently. You don't need to manage it yourself.
We communicate with all heirs equally, present the same information to everyone, and document all decisions. When there's disagreement, we help facilitate by presenting data and options objectively.
It depends on your Letters of Authority. If they're "unrestricted," you may not need court approval. If "restricted," you'll need to petition the court. We know the process and can guide you through it.
Michigan has no state inheritance or estate tax. Inherited property gets a "stepped-up basis," so you only owe capital gains on appreciation after the date of death. Tax situations vary — we recommend consulting a professional for your specific circumstances.
Southeast Michigan: Brighton, Howell, and Hartland in Livingston County; Novi, Milford, South Lyon, West Bloomfield in Oakland County; Ann Arbor, Dexter, Saline in Washtenaw County; and surrounding communities.

When You're Ready, We're Here

A conversation about your situation, the property, and what the process looks like. No obligation, no timeline pressure — just clarity on your options from people who've done this hundreds of times.

Schedule a Call

Or call directly: 800-417-0117

Every conversation is confidential.