A calm place to start, when you've inherited a home.
Inheriting a home is rarely simple, and it usually comes at a hard time. This site is here to help you understand what's ahead, at whatever pace you need.
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Hi, I'm Jeremy, and welcome to Heirs' Home Guide. I help families figure out what to do with a home they've inherited, or help them navigate the probate process.
If you're here, you're probably carrying a lot right now. You've lost someone you love, and on top of that grief, you've been handed an estate to manage. There's paperwork, deadlines, family decisions, and a long list of questions you were never expected to answer.
And while you're trying to sort all of that out, the phone starts ringing and the letters show up in the mail. Some of those people mean well. Others are hoping to catch you at a vulnerable moment, to get something from you before you've had a chance to really understand your options.
Part of what makes this so hard is that most professionals only cover one piece of the picture. Wholesalers, flippers, and investors offer a quick cash sale for a severely discounted price. Sometimes that's the right fit, but usually it's the only option they'll offer. Many realtors will list a home on the market, but often without much knowledge of the probate process, or how to get the home into market-ready condition from the probate stage. That can lead to delays, problems down the road, or even legal trouble. And attorneys do important work making sure the legal side is handled correctly, but they often won't advise on the house itself or what to do with it.
And that's where I come in. I know the probate process and the red flags to watch out for. I'm connected with vendors and advisors you may need along the way, from attorneys to cleanout crews, contractors, financial advisors, CPAs, and more. I work alongside your attorney, not in place of them. My job is to protect the home, protect its value, and help you make the best decision for you and your family, whether that's selling it as-is, fixing it up, keeping it, renting it, or something in between.
Now, I want to make something very clear: a call with me will never lead to unwanted phone calls, and there is never any obligation whatsoever. We can talk, and I'm willing to help you at your own pace. I truly believe I was put in this position to help people and to serve, and that's good enough for me.
Feel free to reach out with your specific situation, and I'll make sure to get you pointed in the right direction.
Not sure where to start?
From the guides
See all guides →Probate vs. non-probate — what actually needs the court
Not everything you inherit has to go through probate. Here's the one question that decides which category a specific account, deed, or house falls into.
Understanding the probate process for selling a home
A plain-language overview of how probate generally shapes the sale of an inherited home, without the legal jargon.
What to do in the first 30 days after inheriting a home
There's no need to decide everything right away. Here's a gentle, in-order look at what actually needs attention early on, and what can wait.
Common questions
- Do I have to sell the home right away?
- No. There's rarely a reason to rush this decision. Some families sell quickly, others wait months while they sort out other things first. It's worth understanding your situation before deciding on a timeline, not the other way around.
- The home needs a lot of work. Do I have to fix it up first?
- Not necessarily. Homes can be sold as-is, and for many inherited properties that's the more practical route. Whether repairs are worth doing first depends on the home and your goals — it's a conversation, not a requirement.
- What if my siblings and I don't agree on what to do?
- This is common, and it doesn't mean anything has gone wrong. It usually helps to separate the practical decisions from the emotional ones, and to bring in a neutral party if the conversation stalls.
- Do I need to hire an attorney before I talk to an agent?
- No. There's no rule that says you have to hire an attorney before talking to a real estate agent, and for many families it makes sense to do both around the same time. Indiana law doesn't require a personal representative to hire a lawyer at all — you're allowed to handle the estate yourself, though a lawyer becomes worth it quickly if there's no will, the estate is complex or spans multiple counties, heirs disagree, or a beneficiary is a minor or has special needs. The simplest way to think about it: an attorney advises on the estate itself, while an agent advises on the home and the sale. You don't need one before the other.
Serving families across Indiana
Jeremy Barzycki works with families in Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, LaPorte counties. If you're outside this area, reach out anyway — happy to point you in the right direction.