How To Generate Probate Leads

Before you can pull your own probate leads you're gonna need to figure out how to go about it in your local area. Please check out our section on property lead basics before you get started.

OK you've read the basics. Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Probate leads consist of four basic pieces of information. You can generally obtain all of the information you need from the petition or probate application. You will need to create an excel spreadsheet to enter the leads on. Create rows and columns for the following:

• Date and filing number.
• Deceased information and property details.
• Executor/Petitioner name and contact information.
• Attorney's name and contact information.
• That's it!

1.  Record the date of the filing. We like to source only the freshest filings as they come in every week. Fresh data has it advantages in pacing yourself ahead of the competition. However you can search whatever date range you desire.
2. Record the file number. You may need this for future reference.

1. Create columns on your spreadsheet to record the full name  and address of the deceased party.
2. Enter the name and address of the deceased as provided on the probate filing. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong! You still need to verify that the decedent in fact owned the property he/she lived at. How are you gonna do that? Simple. Run the address through your local county assessor or appraisal web portal. If the results show that the deceased owned the property then proceed on with obtaining the rest of the information needed for the lead. If the property is not under the deceased name than you will need to discard the lead and move on to the next one. MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING THIS STEP. IF THE DECEASED DIDN'T OWN THE REAL PROPERTY THAN THE PROBATE LEAD WOULD BE OF NO VALUE TO YOU AND YOU'RE MOST LIKELY WASTING YOUR TIME.
3. While you are in the assessor/appraisal office web portal also check to determine what kind of property the decedent owned... Single family, duplex, condo, etc. Enter the property type on your spreadsheet.
4. Next you need to verify that the property is off-market. Do an internet search to verify the property isn't listed. This can be done by entering the address into your browser and checking the address against online real estate sites. Most of these sites will tell you if the property has been listed. ALWAYS DO THIS STEP. IF THE PROPERTY IS FOR SALE THAN THE PROBATE LEAD WILL MOST LIKELY BE OF NO VALUE TO YOU.

OK. You have now verified the above information. Let's move on to the next step.

The executor, sometimes called the petitioner is the party you will want to contact first. In most cases, the executor will also be a family member. Could be an adult child, brother, sister, spouse... you get the picture. These folks have been appointed by the probate court to deal with the assets to the heirs of the deceased. Here is what you need:

1. Record the name and address of the executor on your spreadsheet.
2. Phone numbers. On some probate petitions phone numbers are provided for the executors/petitioners.

Some real estate agents and investors like to contact the attorney on the probate case as well as the executor. Some feel that if they can create a relationship with the attorney it could open the door for future opportunities. It's usually not required that you contact the attorney so it's totally your choice.

1. Enter the name and address of the attorney.
2. Enter the phone number if provided. In some areas attorney email addresses are provided. Enter this into the spreadsheet as well.

You now know the basis of sourcing probate leads yourself!

DON'T WANT TO PULL YOUR OWN PROBATE LEADS? WE'LL DO IT FOR YOU!