Estate Sales
Selling a family home after a loss
Losing a parent is hard enough without an estate to settle on top of it. If you are an executor or a family member responsible for organizing and selling a loved one's home, I will guide you through it with patience and care, and coordinate the details around your timeline.
What probate is, in plain terms
Probate is the court process that confirms a will is valid and gives the executor the legal authority to act, including selling the home. In British Columbia you apply to the Supreme Court of BC.
You can usually prepare and even list the home earlier, but the sale cannot complete, and title cannot transfer, until probate is granted and the estate is registered as the owner.
Typical timeline
21 days: after beneficiaries are notified, a required wait before you can apply.
4 to 8 weeks: the court registry's review of a straightforward application once filed.
3 to 6 months: a common range from date of death to the grant of probate for a simple estate.
210 days & the "executor's year": after probate, executors usually wait 210 days before paying out beneficiaries so any claims can surface, and aim to wind up the estate within about a year.
Probate fees in BC (approximate)
No fee on estates of $25,000 or less; about 0.6% on the value between $25,000 and $50,000; about 1.4% on the value above $50,000; plus a $200 court filing fee. Fees are based on the gross value of the assets passing through the estate. Your lawyer or notary will confirm the exact amount.
The executor's checklist
- Get the death certificate. Order several copies from the BC Vital Statistics Agency; you will need them again and again.
- Locate the will and confirm the executor. Establish who has legal authority to act for the estate.
- Secure the home. Change locks if needed, tell the insurer it is vacant, keep utilities on, and redirect the mail.
- Notify beneficiaries and required parties, then observe the 21-day waiting period before applying.
- Inventory the estate and get date-of-death valuations, including a professional home appraisal.
- Apply for the grant of probate with the help of a lawyer or notary.
- Handle debts and taxes: file the final tax return and request a CRA clearance certificate.
- Prepare the home for sale: clear it out, clean, complete key repairs, and stage it.
- List and sell the home; the sale completes once probate has been granted.
- Distribute the estate and keep clear records, mindful of the 210-day rule.
Helpful contacts
Probate lawyer or notary
Prepares the application and advises the executor. Ask us for a referral.
Accountant
Final tax return and CRA clearance certificate.
Appraiser
Date-of-death valuation for the estate and pricing.
Estate cleanout & downsizing
Content sale, donation, and haul-away. Ask us for trusted names.
Insurance broker
Vacant-home coverage while the estate is settled.
Selling a loved one's home is never just a transaction. When you are ready, reach out for an unhurried, no-pressure conversation, and I will work alongside your lawyer and notary every step of the way.
Let's Talk → Download the Executor's Guide →The estate information on this page is general and current as of July 2026. Rules, fees, and timelines vary by situation and can change; please verify the details that apply to you with your lawyer or notary.