Bay Area Certified Probate & Trust Specialists
Probate Real Estate Services
REALTOR® Miriam Cruz is a Certified Probate & Trust Specialist. Before becoming a Real Estate Agent, Miriam was a Santa Clara County Court Supervisor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies at San Jose State University. Her wealth of knowledge and experience with the Probate Legal Process and current Real Estate Trends sets her apart from others.
Miriam has helped hundreds of families with their probate matter for more than five years. She has been the leading resource to many conservators, administrators, attorneys, other fiduciaries and heirs. She is honest, compassionate, and trustworthy. Miriam is not a salesperson, she is a Real Estate Professional and a Probate Specialist who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
Although Miriam is not an attorney, she has ample knowledge of the legal system. As a former Santa Clara Court Supervisor, she helped many clients with their cases. Miriam understands the Probate Legal Process and many attorneys appreciate working with her because she is experienced and knowledgeable in the legal system and in real estate.
Once an Executor or Administrator becomes the Personal Representative, their responsibility is to become an officer of the court and follow certain duties and responsibilities set by the court. Miriam understands the importance of a Personal Representative’s role and she will ensure that everything goes smoothly and timely.
Think of her as a single solution for all of your inherited real estate.
What Is “Probate” in California?
Probate means that there is a court case that deals with:
Deciding if a will exists and is valid
Figuring out who are the decedent’s heirs or beneficiaries
Figuring out how much the decedent’s property is worth
Taking care of the decedent’s financial responsibilities
Transferring the decedent’s property to the heirs or beneficiaries
“Miriam was born to serve others. When my sister died last year, I was inundated by offers to help me with probate and the sale of her condo. However, when I didn't agree to use their services immediately I was forgotten. Only Miriam knew how to engage in a meaningful conversation and she stayed in touch, going out of her way to research swiftly and efficiently any issues I had.”
- Valerie
Get Your Free Probate Checklist.
California Probate Timeline -- Explained by Attorney Paul Horn (2020)
In a probate case, an Executor (if there is a will) or an Administrator (if there is no will) is appointed by the court as the Personal Representative to collect the assets, pay the debts and expenses, and then distribute the remainder of the estate to the beneficiaries (those who have the legal right to inherit), all under the supervision of the court. In California, the entire case can take between 9 months to 1 ½ years, maybe even longer, but the Personal Representative can sell any real estate once the Letters have been ordered by the court.
Your Letters are your official Court powers to administer the estate based on the authority and limitations described in the Orders for Probate. This document is ordered and filed by the court once the Judge has appointed the Personal Representative to represent the estate.
“Handling your probate matter together”
No matter if you are a Personal Representative, Administrator, Executor or an Attorney
Miriam and her team will help you!
What if you are the attorney?
We work especially well in these situations because we can be a resource for you and your clients. As a Certified Probate and Trust Specialist, Miriam has over five years of experience working with different attorneys and she understands how valuable your time is. She works closely with the Personal Representative, Administrator, or Executor to ensure that the probate process goes smoothly and you are informed of any pertinent information.
We will work as a TEAM!