Losing a parent is already difficult, and inheriting their home can make things even more stressful. Many people assume Power of Attorney lets them sell the property, but that authority ends as soon as the parent passes away. From there, the home typically goes through probate, which is the court process that gives an executor or administrator the legal power to handle the property. At Heartland Funding Inc., we help families in Chicago and across Illinois understand these steps, explain what they can and can’t do, and offer options if selling the home is the best choice. Once you understand that the Power of Attorney no longer applies, probate takes over, and the executor makes the decisions, the process becomes much easier to navigate so you can settle the estate without added complications.
POA Ends at Death—Now What?
Once a parent passes away, a Power of Attorney becomes invalid immediately, which means you can no longer use it to sell their house or make decisions on their behalf. Even if you handled everything for them while they were alive, the legal authority shifts entirely to the probate court after their passing. Only the court can decide who has the right to manage the property, and that process has to be followed before anything can be done with the home.
If your parents left a will naming you as the executor, you’ll need to go through probate and be officially appointed by the court before taking any action. If there’s no will, you can still apply to be the administrator, but the same rule applies—you must wait for the court to permit you. Once appointed, you’ll have the legal power to maintain the home, complete necessary paperwork, and eventually sell the property if that’s the best choice for the family.
What Probate Means for You
Probate may sound complicated, but it’s really just the court’s way of making sure everything is handled properly after someone passes away. The court reviews the estate, makes things official, and gives the right person—either the executor named in the will or an administrator if there’s no will—the legal authority to take care of the property. Once the court appoints you, you can legally decide what happens to the house, including selling it. You can choose to list it on the market, or you can work with an investor like us who can make the process faster and easier, especially if the house needs repairs or you don’t want to wait through a long selling timeline.
While probate is moving forward, the home still has to be maintained, and that responsibility falls on the executor or administrator. That means keeping the property safe, paying property taxes, utilities, insurance, and handling any outstanding mortgage payments. These bills don’t pause during probate, and they can add up quickly—especially if the home sits vacant or needs work. For many families, the ongoing costs and stress can feel overwhelming, which is why a straightforward, no-hassle sale is often the simplest and most practical solution.
Do You Want to Keep the House—Or Let It Go?
Inheriting a home can bring up a lot of emotions. Sometimes it’s the house you grew up in, filled with memories. Other times, it may be old, outdated, or in need of major repairs. Deciding what to do—whether to keep it, rent it out, or sell it—can feel heavy and confusing. The truth is, there’s no right or wrong decision. What matters most is choosing the option that works best for your life, your schedule, and your peace of mind.
If you’re considering selling, remember that it doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t need to fix the house first. You don’t need to clean out every room or go through every drawer before you make a decision. And you don’t have to list it with a Realtor if that feels overwhelming or time-consuming. There are simpler options available that allow you to sell the property as-is, avoid repairs, skip showings, and move forward at your own pace.
We’ll Take the House In As-Is Condition
At Heartland Funding Inc., we’ve helped countless families across Chicago navigate the exact same situation you’re in. Losing someone is hard enough — dealing with an inherited property on top of it can feel like a whole other full-time job. That’s why we step in and simplify the entire process. We buy inherited homes strictly as-is, no cleanup, no repairs, no inspections, no drama.
You grab what matters to you, leave behind anything you don’t want to deal with, and we’ll handle the rest. Then we put a straightforward, fair cash offer on the table so you can move on at your own pace—without the stress, delays, or headaches of listing with an agent or fixing the property up.
Ready for Help?
If you’re not sure what to do next, we’re here to walk you through the process. We can talk about your situation, help you understand your options, and make you an offer that reflects the home’s current condition, without pressure or obligation.
📞 Call Heartland Funding Inc. today at (800) 255-8250 or fill out the form below. You don’t have to handle everything alone.