Equity Union's New Division Aims to Ease Probate's Heavy Burden

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 17, 2026 – Equity Union Real Estate has announced the launch of a dedicated Probate Division, a strategic move to provide specialized support for one of the most complex and emotionally charged segments of the property market. The new division aims to assist families, fiduciaries, and legal professionals in navigating the intricate process of selling real estate tied up in probate and trust estates.

The initiative formalizes the company’s focus on a growing niche where transactions extend far beyond a standard sale, often involving court oversight, strict legal timelines, and sensitive family dynamics. By creating a specialized team, the brokerage is positioning itself to offer a higher level of expertise and compassion to clients during what is often a difficult life transition.

The Growing Need for a Specialized Hand

The launch comes at a critical time. California is on the cusp of a massive generational wealth transfer, with an estimated $68 trillion expected to pass from Baby Boomers to their heirs over the next quarter-century. A significant portion of this wealth is held in real estate, and for many families, the inheritance of a property triggers the complex legal process known as probate.

Currently, California sees approximately 38,000 probate filings each year, a figure projected to grow by 3-5% annually as the state's senior population increases. The process is often a necessity when an estate's assets, particularly real estate, exceed statutory thresholds. For heirs, this means grappling not only with grief but also with a daunting array of legal requirements, financial pressures, and logistical hurdles. Probate sales can take nine months to over a year to complete, a stark contrast to the 44-day average for conventional sales.

During this prolonged period, estates continue to accrue costs for taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Many inherited properties require significant repairs, and sellers are often under pressure to liquidate assets to cover debts or distribute funds among beneficiaries. This combination of emotional stress and financial urgency creates a profound need for real estate professionals who can do more than just list a property; they must act as guides, project managers, and compassionate advisors.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Market

For Equity Union, the creation of a Probate Division is a calculated move to capture a distinct segment of the market and differentiate itself through expertise. While many individual agents across California market themselves as probate specialists, the establishment of a formalized, brokerage-supported division represents a more structured and resource-intensive approach. It signals a commitment to developing deep institutional knowledge and standardized processes for handling these unique transactions.

“Probate real estate requires more than traditional transactional expertise,” said Harma Hartouni, CEO of Equity Union, in the company's announcement. “It demands sensitivity, discretion, and a thorough understanding of court timelines, fiduciary responsibilities, and family dynamics. Our Probate Division was created to ensure clients receive informed guidance at every stage.”

This specialization allows the firm to offer targeted marketing strategies and a suite of services tailored specifically to estate-related sales. The division plans to collaborate closely with estate attorneys, fiduciaries, CPAs, and financial advisors, aiming to create a seamless ecosystem of support for clients. By building a reputation for excellence in this niche, the brokerage seeks to become the go-to resource for professionals and families facing the complexities of an estate sale, thereby securing a strong foothold in a challenging but rewarding market.

Beyond the Sale: The Rise of the Probate Professional

At the heart of the new division is a team of professionals whose backgrounds reflect the multidisciplinary skills required for probate real estate. The division is co-directed by Andrew Brody, a licensed attorney and court-appointed fiduciary, and Scott Greenberg, a veteran agent with nearly two decades of hands-on probate experience. Together, they have closed over 250 such transactions in the last decade alone.

Brody’s legal background provides critical insight into procedural accuracy and court requirements, while Greenberg’s extensive experience offers practical, real-world solutions for moving difficult estates toward resolution. They are joined by a formidable group of agents, including Stephanie Vitacco, a powerhouse in the field who has closed over 2,000 probate and trust transactions. Vitacco’s expertise is so highly regarded that she has been appointed by the court as a Referee in trust and probate matters and is a member of the Professional Fiduciaries Association of California (PFAC).

This deep bench of talent underscores a key reality of the probate market: success requires more than a real estate license. It demands a sophisticated understanding of legal processes, fiduciary duties, and the human element of loss. The division’s focus on providing educational resources and training for its agents reinforces its commitment to cultivating this specialized skill set throughout the company.

Navigating a Complex Legal Landscape

The need for such expertise is underscored by California's intricate and evolving legal framework for probate. The sale of property within probate is subject to strict court rules. For example, a property must be appraised by a court-appointed probate referee and typically cannot be sold for less than 90% of its appraised value. These regulations are in place to protect the interests of the estate and its beneficiaries, but they add layers of complexity to the transaction.

Even recent legislative changes designed to simplify the process, such as Assembly Bill 2016 which raises the threshold for expedited probate for some primary residences, are not a panacea. The law's impact is expected to be limited in high-value real estate markets like Southern California, where many homes exceed the new $750,000 threshold or do not qualify as primary residences. Furthermore, even simplified procedures still require court petitions and legal notifications, and title companies often demand a full probate process to ensure a clear title before insuring a sale.

By assembling a team fluent in these legal nuances, Equity Union's Probate Division aims to streamline the process, from property preparation and valuation to marketing and court confirmation. This expertise-driven approach is designed to mitigate risks, maximize value for the estate, and provide peace of mind for clients navigating one of life's most challenging transitions. The launch reinforces the brokerage's broader strategy of developing specialized service verticals to deliver high-value solutions across the residential real estate spectrum.