Managing Your Family's Estate and Probate

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about protecting and maintaining property during probate. Whether you're a first-time executor or managing a family estate, these steps will help you avoid expensive mistakes and keep the home safe, insured, and well-maintained.

We cover:

• How to secure the home in the first 48 hours
• What to ask your insurance company so coverage doesn’t lapse
• Why you should keep utilities on to prevent major damage
• How often to check on the property and what to look for
• Handling personal belongings without causing family conflict
• Getting the property ready to sell during probate
• Preventing common problems like mold, pests, and frozen pipes

This is a must-listen episode for anyone navigating probate and trying to protect both the property and the estate.

The first 30 days after someone passes can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Probate & Estate Specialist Jordan Fainberg explains exactly what needs to happen in the first month — what you must do right away, what can wait, and who is legally allowed to file for probate.

You’ll learn:

• What actually happens in the first 24–48 hours

• How to get death certificates (and how many)

• Who can file for probate

• What happens if there is no will

• How real property (the home) fits into the process

• Immediate tasks vs. things you can safely delay

• The biggest mistakes families make early on

• How to avoid delays and reduce stress

Jordan shares everything in clear, simple language so you understand the steps and feel more confident navigating this difficult time.

Hosted by:
Jordan Fainberg
Probate & Estate Specialist – Washington DC & Maryland

probate, estate, estate planning, executor, inheritance, probate process, death in the family, what to do when someone dies, real estate, dcprimehomes, washington dc probate, maryland probate, estate administration

The first month after a loved one passes is often stressful and confusing.
In Episode 1 of Managing Your Family’s Estate & Probate, Jordan Fainberg walks you step-by-step through the first 30 days — what must be done, what can wait, and how to keep the process organized without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll learn:

• What really happens in the first 30 days

• Who is legally allowed to file for probate

• How death certificates work (and how many you need)

• Immediate actions vs. things that can wait

• When to contact an attorney — and when you may not need one

• What happens if there is no will

• How real property (the house) fits into the first 30 days

• Common mistakes families make that cause delays

• What to do if multiple family members disagree on who should file

Jordan explains everything in clear, everyday language — no legal jargon — so you know what to do and feel confident navigating the early steps of probate.

🎙️ Hosted by:
Jordan Fainberg
Probate & Estate Specialist — Washington DC & Maryland

When a parent passes away, most families find themselves overwhelmed — not just emotionally, but by the endless questions about what to do with the home, possessions, and estate.

In this first episode of Managing Your Family’s Estate & Probate, Jordan Fainberg — a licensed Douglas Elliman Realtor who’s personally been through this process — explains what truly happens in the first weeks after a parent’s passing. You’ll learn what “probate” really means, what steps not to rush, and how to protect your family’s time, money, and relationships during one of life’s hardest transitions.

What You’ll Learn:

• What “probate” actually is (and when it starts)

• Who legally controls the property after death

• Immediate steps to take before listing or touching the home

• Common mistakes that cause stress or delay

• How to find calm, factual guidance in a chaotic process

📍 Resources:
➡️ Free guides and checklists: http://dcprimehomes.com/estate-probate/