Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Sorry about your father's death.

As to the house, of what advantage is a short sale? It appears that the only significant asset left is the house. If the reverse mortgage was fairly made, in a short sale the owners gets nothing in return for not having a foreclosure reduce his credit. Your father obviously now does not care what his credit rating is; upon death it should become zero. As the realtor of what advantage having a short sale is, but assume in advance that there is none.

As to the debts, the estate is liable, not you or your sister, but there is nothing to pay the debt. Inform Medicare of the situation.

Sounds like only advantage of a short sale would be to the realtor.

There is nothing that I love more than sitting down with a cup of coffee and reading about another realtor practicing law without a license. A realtor does his or her job when they assist you in filling out forms, and list property with the MLS. A realtor, however, does not have the authority to give you legal advice, unless they are also licensed by the California State Bar. You shouldn't ask a realtor for legal advice anymore than you would ask a barber for medical advice.

Mr. Shers raised good points. I wrote separately to point out the above, and mention another issue. If you run down to probate court and file a petition for letters of administration, be prepared to be asked to post a bond. It would be stupid for you to raise a lot of money to post a bond, simply to help your realtor make a commission.

By the way, that is why your realtor gave you that galactically bad legal advice, with their own interest in making a commission, and not what was right for you or your family.