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Sherman Oaks & Encino Probate & Trust Real Estate Agent | David Rothblum

Serving Sherman Oaks, Encino & the San Fernando Valley

Probate & Trust Real Estate, handled with care and real experience.

If you are selling a home through a probate, a trust, or a conservatorship in Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City or Woodland Hills, you deserve an agent who has done this many times and who treats your family with patience. That is what I do.

No obligation. Just a straight, honest conversation about your options.

24 years of experience RE/MAX Hall of Fame Probate & Trust Specialist Top 1% of agents

David Rothblum, probate and trust real estate agent

David Rothblum

RE/MAX ONE · DRE #01332525

You are not just selling a house

Most of my clients are going through one of the hardest times of their lives.

A parent has passed. A trust needs to be settled. A family is trying to do the right thing while grief, paperwork and a court calendar all pull at once. I understand that, because I have guided hundreds of families through it. My job is to take the weight of the property off your shoulders and handle it properly, so you can focus on everything else.

I will not rush you and I will not talk down to you. I explain every step in plain language, I answer the phone, and I do not let things slip through the cracks. Honest, compassionate, and thorough. That is the whole promise.

David Rothblum

What I do

A specialist in the sales other agents avoid

Probate, trust and conservatorship sales come with rules, deadlines and court steps that trip up general agents. They are my focus, not a sideline.

Probate Sales

Selling a home held in a deceased owner’s name, including court confirmation and overbid sales. I work directly with executors, administrators and their attorneys from filing through closing.

For executors, administrators & heirs

Trust Sales

Selling property on behalf of a successor trustee, usually without court supervision. I help trustees meet their duty to the beneficiaries and get the strongest, cleanest result.

For successor trustees & beneficiaries

Conservatorship & Fiduciary

Court supervised sales for conservators and professional fiduciaries, handled with the documentation and diligence the court expects.

Also divorce, receivership & standard sales

Why families choose me

Experience you can lean on, and a person who actually shows up

  • 24 years selling residential real estate across Greater Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
  • RE/MAX Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement, in the top one half of one percent of RE/MAX agents nationwide.
  • Recognized by RealTrends in the top 1.5% of agents in California and named a Real Estate All-Star by Los Angeles Magazine.
  • Trusted by estate planning attorneys, professional fiduciaries and CPAs who refer their clients to me.
$18,450,000

A trust sale I closed in the Bel Air hills in one of the toughest markets in recent memory, less than three months after the Palisades fire, when insurance was nearly impossible to secure. Difficult sales are where experience earns its keep.

24
Years of experience
Top 0.5%
RE/MAX agents nationwide
Hundreds
Of families guided through probate & trust
1-on-1
You work with David, start to finish

Where I work

A probate & trust specialist who knows the Valley

Local knowledge matters in these sales. I know these neighborhoods, the buyers, and how to position an estate property to sell well here.

Sherman Oaks Encino Studio City Woodland Hills Tarzana Calabasas

I also serve the greater Conejo Valley and Los Angeles, from the Westside to Downtown. If your property is anywhere in the region, let’s talk.

How it works

A clear path, one step at a time

You will always know what is happening and what comes next. Here is the shape of it.

1

Free consultation

We talk through your situation, how title is held, and whether probate is even required. No pressure, no cost.

2

Value & plan

I give you an honest opinion of value and a plan to prepare the home, including any cleanout or light repairs.

3

Prepare & market

I handle the listing, the marketing and the showings, and I coordinate with your attorney and the court as needed.

4

Sell & close

I negotiate the strongest offer, manage any court confirmation, and see the sale through to a clean closing.

Common questions

Probate & trust home sales in California, answered

Straight answers to what families ask me most. When you are ready for specifics about your property, just reach out.

Do I need to go through probate to sell my parents’ house in California?
Not always. If the home was held in a living trust, in joint tenancy, or the estate qualifies as a small estate under California’s threshold (a figure that adjusts periodically), you may be able to sell without a full probate. If the property was held in your parent’s name alone with no trust, a probate is usually required. The right first step is a short conversation so we can look at how title was held before you assume the worst.
How long does the probate process take in California?
Most California probates run about nine to eighteen months from start to finish. The good news is that the home does not have to sit idle that whole time. In most cases we can prepare, list and sell the property while the probate is still open, so the estate is not carrying the property any longer than it needs to.
Can I sell a house while it is still in probate?
Yes. With the proper authority from the court, the personal representative can sell during probate. Depending on whether the estate has full or limited authority, the sale may go through a court confirmation and overbid process. I handle these sales regularly and will walk you through exactly which path applies to your situation.
What is the difference between a trust sale and a probate sale?
In a trust sale the successor trustee usually has the authority to sell without court supervision, so it moves much like a standard sale. A probate sale involves the court and may require confirmation and an overbid hearing. Both have their own rules and timelines, and I am experienced in both.
How does Proposition 19 affect a home I inherited?
Under Proposition 19, an inherited property is generally reassessed to current market value for property taxes unless the child moves in and uses it as their own primary residence, and even then the exclusion is capped. Because the rules are detailed and can change, I coordinate with your attorney or CPA so you understand the tax picture before you decide to keep or sell.
Will I owe capital gains tax if I sell an inherited property?
Often far less than people expect. Inherited property generally receives a stepped-up cost basis equal to its value on the date of death, so if you sell near that value there may be little or no taxable gain. Your CPA should confirm the specifics, and I am glad to work alongside them.

The above is general information, not legal or tax advice. Every estate is different. Please consult your attorney or CPA, and I am happy to work directly with them.

For attorneys & fiduciaries

A real estate partner your clients will thank you for

Estate planning attorneys, family law attorneys, professional fiduciaries and CPAs refer their clients to me because I make them look good. I move quickly, I document properly, and I keep everyone informed. If you have a client who needs to sell, I would be glad to be your trusted resource.

In their words

Attorneys, trustees and families who have been through it

Real clients, in their own words.

David is an incredibly knowledgeable realtor, and gives his all every step of the way. Recently, he was brought in to sell a probate property. There were a number of extraordinary circumstances that could have taken a wrong turn, however David handled each with prowess. He is super diligent, thorough, communicative, and obtained almost $1M over appraisal!

Jennifer McNeil Lozano
Attorney

David Rothblum and his team have been fantastic professional partners for our law firm and our clients. We have utilized David’s services for many trust and probate real estate transactions, and he has always been phenomenal. His ability to navigate difficult issues and facilitate smooth transactions has been exceptional.

David Soffer
Attorney

David was an absolute pleasure to work with during the sale of our home. From start to finish, he demonstrated exceptional integrity and attention to detail. He walked us through each step, making what can be a stressful experience feel seamless and manageable. His guidance and advice were invaluable, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Dimitry and Karin K.
Sellers

David was fantastic in all areas. He is a great agent who I worked with to both buy and later sell my home. Very attentive and thoughtful, he was always ten steps ahead of the process, and kept me aware of the progress every step of the way. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and his contacts are top notch.

Stark Sands
Seller

More client reviews are on the testimonials page.

Let’s talk

A free, no pressure conversation about your options

Tell me a little about the property and your situation. I will give you honest guidance on your next step, whether or not you list with me. Texting is the fastest way to reach me.

David Rothblum
Probate & Trust Real Estate
Serving
Sherman Oaks · Encino
Studio City · Woodland Hills
Tarzana · Calabasas
Greater LA & the Conejo Valley

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Looking forward to connecting with you on your real estate needs in Southern California and beyond.