Orange County’s Certified
Probate & Trust Real Estate Specialist
Helping heirs, trustees, executors, and estate attorneys sell inherited and estate-held
properties throughout Southern California — with compassion, precision, and proven results.
Why Probate Real Estate Requires a Specialist
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.
Why Families and Attorneys Trust Paula Aragone
- Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES)
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)
- Certified Luxury Real Estate Specialist
- Certified REO Specialist
- Certified Relocation Specialist
- 23 years licensed in California
- Top 1% of agents nationwide per NAR
- 900+ closed transactions
- $850M+ in career sales volume
- Transactions from $1M to $10M+
- 102% of asking price average
- Sells 5× more than average agent
- Closes in 1/3 less time
- 100+ verified five-star reviews
- Zillow
- Yelp
- Realtor.com
- FastExpert
- Testimonial Tree
- One of OC’s most-reviewed REALTOR®s
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- First Team Real Estate / Luxury Portfolio International
- National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
- California Association of REALTORS® (CAR)
- Chairman’s Circle Diamond Award
- Five Star Professional Award (multiple years)
A Complete One-Stop Solution for Probate & Trust Real Estate
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.
Court-Confirmed Probate Sales
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.
Trust Property Sales
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.
Conservatorship Real Estate
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.
Date of Death Appraisals & BPOs
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.
Pre-Sale Property Preparation
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.
Concierge Estate Coordination
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.
Understanding Probate Authority in California
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.
We Market Your Property to the World
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.
- Local and international MLS exposure through First Team Real Estate, Luxury Portfolio International, Zillow, Redfin, Juwai, and more
- Custom property websites per listing for maximum search visibility
- Multi-platform digital advertising including Google, Facebook, and Instagram
- YouTube property video tours
- Email campaigns to our database of qualified buyers and investor contacts
- Professional photography and video production
- Targeted outreach to buyers, agents, and investor networks throughout Southern California
- Open houses and broker caravans coordinated around court timelines
- Print and direct mail campaigns for high-value properties
We Work With
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
Serving Orange County and Southern California
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probate Real Estate in Orange County
What is a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES)?
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.
Do I need a probate attorney AND a probate real estate agent?
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.
How long does a probate sale take in California?
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.
Can you sell a house before probate is finalized in California?
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.
What is a court-confirmed probate sale and how does the overbid process work?
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.
How much does Aragone & Associates charge for probate real estate services?
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.
Does Paula Aragone work with estate attorneys in Orange County?
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.
What Our Clients Say
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.
Let Us Guide You Through the Process
Whether you’re an executor, administrator, heir, or attorney — Aragone & Associates has the expertise to help you navigate probate and trust real estate with confidence.
Complete Services & Resources
Expert guidance through every step of the probate and trust real estate process — from listing strategy to closing, backed by deep legal knowledge and local market expertise.
Managing the Real Estate Process
Unlike traditional real estate agents who either don’t know or are unsure of what to do when selling a property in a Probate, Trust, or Conservatorship, Aragone & Associates knows and understands the intricacies of these complex processes.
Our CEO/Founder, Paula Aragone, attended 4 years of Law School in Argentina and when she moved to California in 2002, she applied her legal background to real estate. From there she has built her career with an emphasis on Probates and Trusts — earning certifications as a Certified Probate & Trust Specialist and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
Selling a probate property requires a multitude of strategies and an aggressive campaign. Our marketing plan is designed to showcase your property to buyers worldwide and sell the property for the highest value possible. When you list with our team you receive local and international MLS exposure, two custom property websites, multi-platform advertising, YouTube videos, and so much more.
Comprehensive Probate & Trust Services
From initial consultation to closing, we guide executors, administrators, and families through every phase of the probate real estate process.
Court-Supervised Sales
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We understand the legal requirements of probate court sales, overbid procedures, and the California Independent Administration of Estates Act — protecting your interests at every step.
Property Valuation & Marketing
Accurate probate referee appraisal support, strategic pricing, and a full marketing campaign including international MLS exposure, custom websites, and multimedia advertising.
Estate & Family Coordination
We work compassionately with executors, heirs, attorneys, and courts to streamline the sale process during what is often a difficult and emotional time for families.
Trust & Conservatorship Sales
Expert handling of living trust, testamentary trust, and conservatorship property sales — ensuring compliance with all fiduciary and legal obligations.
Title & Encumbrance Review
We identify and help resolve title issues, creditor claims, encumbrances, and other complications that commonly arise in probate property transfers.
Complimentary Consultation
Not sure where to start? We offer a no-commitment consultation to walk you through the process, your options, and what to expect — at no cost to you.
Settling the Estate Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
Begin simplifying your journey with Aragone & Associates — we handle the complexity so you don’t have to.
Schedule a Call
Schedule a one-on-one, no-commitment consultation with our probate specialists to discuss your situation and goals.
Create Your Plan
We will create a custom step-by-step plan that will help you and the family navigate the estate and get the property sold.
Settle the Estate
Once the right plan is in place, we will have a buyer for you in no time — with full support from listing through closing.
Probate Terms & Definitions
As an executor or administrator of an estate, it is vital to understand probate terms and definitions. Probate has many procedures and regulations that can affect a real estate transaction, with specific steps that must be strictly followed. Without complete understanding of these terms, probate can easily cause confusion and loss of valuable time.
The basic probate terms provided below are intended to promote a better understanding of probate and the individual roles of those typically involved. They do not reflect the whole, complex landscape of actual probate procedure. To gain a greater understanding of managing, buying, or selling probate real estate, seek experts in the field — Aragone & Associates stands ready to provide solutions to any probate challenge.
Beneficiary
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Bond
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Conservator
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Conservatee
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Conservatorship
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Creditor Claim
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Decedent
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Encumbrance
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Estate
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Executor
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Fiduciary
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Heir
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Intestate
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Intestate Succession
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Letters of Testamentary
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Personal Representative
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Petition
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Probate
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Probate Real Estate Sale
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Probate Referee
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Real Property
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Testate
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Trust
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Will
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Ready to Talk? We’re Here to Help.
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.
WATCH & LEARN
Probate Real Estate Insights from Paula
Real stories, real strategies, and honest answers to your toughest probate questions — straight from Paula’s experience handling hundreds of estate sales across Orange County.