Losing a parent or loved one is hard enough. Then comes the house — the mortgage, the taxes, the utilities, the overgrown yard, and a decision your family may not agree on. If you’ve inherited a home in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater or anywhere in Tampa Bay, this guide walks you through how it usually works in Florida and what your options are.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every estate is different, so talk with a Florida probate attorney about your situation.
Step 1: Find out whether the house has to go through probate
In Florida, a house usually has to pass through probate before heirs can sell it, unless it was held in a trust, owned jointly with a right of survivorship, or covered by a lady bird (enhanced life estate) deed. Probate is the court process that confirms who the heirs are and who has the authority to sign for the estate.
Florida has two main types:
- Summary administration — a shorter process for smaller estates. It’s generally available when the estate’s non-exempt assets are worth $75,000 or less, or when the person passed away more than two years ago. It often wraps up within a few months.
- Formal administration — the full process, where the court appoints a personal representative (the executor) who can sell the property. It commonly takes six months or longer.
If the home was the person’s homestead, Florida has special protections. Homestead property is treated differently from other assets and often needs its own court order to pass to the heirs, so ask your attorney how it applies to your family.
In Tampa, probate cases are handled by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court. In St. Pete and Clearwater, it’s the Pinellas County Clerk.
Step 2: Protect the property while you wait
Probate takes time, and an empty house can lose value fast. While the estate is open:
- Keep the homeowner’s insurance active. Tell the insurance company the house is vacant — many policies change coverage on empty homes.
- Keep paying the mortgage if there is one. Missed payments can start a foreclosure even during probate.
- Keep the property taxes current. Hillsborough and Pinellas tax bills come out each November.
- Change the locks, keep the lawn cut and check on the house regularly.
Step 3: Decide what to do with the house
Most families end up choosing one of four paths:
- Move in. Makes sense if one heir wants the home and can buy out the others.
- Rent it out. Brings in income, but someone has to manage tenants, repairs and insurance.
- List it with an agent. Can bring the highest price if the house is in good shape — but expect repairs, showings, commissions and a closing that can take months.
- Sell it as-is for cash. No repairs, no clean-out, no showings. You pick the closing date, and the buyer handles the rest.
When the house needs a lot of work, is full of belongings, or the heirs live out of state, option 4 often saves the family time, money and stress.
Step 4: Sell when the estate is ready
Once the court gives the personal representative authority (or the property passes to the heirs), the house can be sold. A cash buyer can usually work around probate timing: we can make an offer early, wait while the court process finishes, and close on the day that works for your family.
How All Florida Home Buyer helps families with inherited homes
We’re a family-owned company in Tampa, and we’ve bought 227+ houses since 2008. When you sell an inherited house to us:
- No repairs and no clean-out. Leave behind whatever you don’t want.
- No fees or commissions, and we pay the closing costs.
- Flexible timing. We can wait for probate to finish and close in as little as 7 days once it does.
- Out-of-state heirs can usually sign remotely.
Call or text 813.400.0163 or get your free cash offer. ¡Hablamos español!