Helping heirs, trustees, executors, and estate attorneys sell inherited and estate-held properties throughout Southern California — with compassion, precision, and proven results.
Most real estate agents have never handled a probate sale. The legal requirements, court timelines, fiduciary responsibilities, and family dynamics involved in selling an inherited or estate-held property are unlike any standard transaction — and getting it wrong can delay the estate, reduce the net proceeds, or expose the executor to liability.
Paula Aragone is a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES) and the CEO & President of Aragone & Associates | First Team Real Estate / Luxury Portfolio International. With 23 years of experience, 900+ closed transactions, and over $850 million in career sales volume, Paula is ranked in the Top 1% of real estate agents nationwide — and has spent the last decade building one of Orange County's most trusted probate and trust real estate practices.
Her background is unlike any other agent in Southern California. Before entering real estate, Paula completed four years of law school in Argentina — giving her a rare ability to navigate complex contracts, court-confirmed sales, and fiduciary processes with the precision of a legal professional. She is fluent in English and Spanish and works directly with estate attorneys, court-appointed administrators, trustees, and heirs throughout Orange County and greater Southern California.
Aragone & Associates manages every aspect of the probate and trust property sale process — from the first consultation to the final close of escrow. Our team works directly with estate attorneys, trustees, and court-appointed administrators to ensure that every legal requirement is met and every dollar of value is protected.
We manage the full court-confirmed sale process in California, including preparing for the overbid hearing, coordinating with probate attorneys, and ensuring the property is priced to achieve at least 90% of the Probate Referee's appraised value. Our team has extensive experience with both Full Authority and Limited Authority probate cases in Orange County Superior Court.
We help trustees and successor trustees sell real property held in living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and family trusts throughout Southern California. Our approach is sensitive to family dynamics while maintaining strict fiduciary standards — protecting the trustee and maximizing the estate's net proceeds.
When a conservator needs to sell real property on behalf of a protected person, Paula's legal background and court experience ensure the process moves forward efficiently and in full compliance with California probate court requirements.
We coordinate Date of Death Appraisals and provide Broker Price Opinions (BPOs) for estate attorneys, CPAs, and trustees who need an accurate property valuation for estate tax, equalization, or probate court purposes.
Our exclusive pre-sale program allows estates to make strategic improvements — cleaning, repairs, staging, landscaping — with all vendor costs deferred to close of escrow. There is no upfront cost to the estate. This program consistently increases net sale proceeds and reduces time on market.
We provide full concierge support throughout the probate process, including property cleanout and waste removal, repair vendor coordination, home staging, vehicle removal, and mover/packer referrals. Our vendor network is vetted, licensed, and experienced with estate properties.
In California probate cases, the executor or administrator is granted either Full Authority or Limited Authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA). The type of authority determines how the property sale proceeds — and how much court involvement is required. Paula Aragone has extensive experience managing both types of sales in Orange County.
Whether the property requires Full Authority or Limited Authority, effectively marketing a probate or trust property requires an aggressive, multi-channel strategy. Our marketing program is designed to maximize buyer exposure, drive competitive offers, and sell for the highest value possible in the shortest time — all while respecting the sensitivities of the estate.
Heirs and family members navigating the sale of an inherited property
Executors and administrators of probate estates
Trustees and successor trustees managing trust property sales
Court-appointed conservators and guardians
Estate attorneys and fiduciary professionals in Orange County and Southern California
CPAs and financial advisors coordinating estate asset liquidation
Out-of-state family members who need a trusted local expert to manage the process
Aragone & Associates provides probate and trust real estate services throughout Orange County and greater Southern California, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Tustin, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, San Clemente, and Yorba Linda. We also work with out-of-county estates involving properties in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
A CPRES is a real estate professional who has completed specialized training in California probate law, court-confirmed sales, and the fiduciary responsibilities involved in selling estate property. Paula Aragone holds the CPRES designation and has spent 15+ years practicing exclusively in this area, making her one of Orange County's most experienced probate real estate specialists.
Yes. A probate attorney manages the legal filings, court petitions, and estate administration. A probate real estate specialist like Paula Aragone manages the property sale — pricing, marketing, negotiations, court coordination, and vendor management. The two professionals work together to protect the estate's value and move the sale forward as efficiently as possible.
A Full Authority probate sale in California can close in as little as 17–45 days once the property is listed. A Limited Authority sale requiring court confirmation typically adds 2–6 months due to the notice period and hearing schedule. Paula Aragone works proactively with probate courts and attorneys in Orange County to minimize delays at every stage.
Yes. In most cases, real property can be listed and sold during the active probate process — you do not need to wait for the estate to be fully closed. In fact, selling early often reduces carrying costs and preserves estate value. Paula works with the executor and probate attorney to determine the right time to list.
In a Limited Authority probate sale, the accepted offer must be confirmed by a probate judge at a court hearing. At that hearing, other buyers may submit overbids above the accepted price. Paula prepares her clients and the estate thoroughly for the overbid process — setting the right listing price, screening buyers, and ensuring all documentation is in order before the hearing date.
Our commission structure is consistent with California real estate standards and is fully disclosed upfront before any listing agreement is signed. There are no hidden fees. Vendor costs for pre-sale preparation (cleaning, repairs, staging) are deferred to close of escrow at no upfront cost to the estate.
Yes. Paula works closely with estate attorneys, fiduciary professionals, CPAs, and court-appointed administrators throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you are an estate attorney looking for a reliable probate real estate specialist for your clients, contact Paula directly at [email protected] or 949-415-4784.
Paula Aragone has earned 100+ verified five-star reviews across Google, Zillow, Yelp, Realtor.com, Testimonial Tree, and FastExpert — making her one of the most reviewed and consistently rated probate real estate specialists in Orange County. Her clients include heirs, trustees, estate attorneys, and families navigating some of the most emotionally complex real estate transactions of their lives.
Whether you're an heir trying to understand your options, an executor preparing to list an estate property, or an estate attorney looking for a trusted probate real estate partner to handle residential and commercial real estate sales in Orange County and Southern California — we are here to guide you through every step of the process.
Call or text Paula directly at 949-415-4784, or email [email protected]. Consultations are always free and confidential.