Someone Has to Handle
the Hard Parts.
That's What I Do.
When a family loses a loved one, the last thing they need is to navigate a real estate transaction alone. For over a decade, Diana Fairbanks has guided families — and the attorneys who serve them — through the probate process with professionalism and care.
Probate real estate requires more than a license.
It requires experience, patience, and a team behind every transaction.
Diana holds the CPRES (Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist) designation and has appeared in court, worked directly with estate and trust attorneys across South Florida, and managed hundreds of probate transactions from first call to final close. Her concierge approach means families don't need to travel — she handles everything.
What Is
Probate Real Estate?
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered and distributed. When real property is part of the estate, it must be handled carefully — following court timelines, working within the executor's authority, and ensuring the property is properly valued, prepared, and sold.
It's unlike any other real estate transaction. Executors and trustees often live out of state. Properties may need repairs or cleanouts before listing. Court approval may be required before closing. Timelines are dictated by the legal process, not the market.
Diana has navigated this process hundreds of times. She knows the Broward County courts. She knows the attorneys. She knows what to expect — and how to protect families from costly mistakes.
Diana meets with the executor or trustee — in person or virtually — to review the property, assess its condition, and explain the process from start to finish.
She coordinates repairs, cleanouts, and staging — working with vetted vendors so the family doesn't need to travel or manage contractors themselves.
Diana handles the listing and negotiates offers while coordinating with the estate attorney on any required court confirmation or approval steps.
She guides the transaction through closing, ensuring proceeds are handled according to the court's instructions and the estate's distribution plan.
What Diana
Handles for You
From the initial call with the executor to the final distribution of proceeds, Diana manages every step — so the family can grieve, not manage contractors and court paperwork.
Estate & Probate Coordination
Direct communication with estate attorneys, executors, and trustees throughout the entire transaction. She speaks the language of probate law.
Property Valuation & Court Opinion
Providing accurate, defensible market valuations for probate and court purposes — including formal broker price opinions accepted in Broward County proceedings.
Property Cleanout & Prep
Coordinating estate cleanouts, hoarding remediation, repairs, painting, landscaping, and staging — with vetted local vendors. Families stay home.
Timeline & Court Deadline Management
Probate has hard deadlines. Diana tracks court schedules, filing requirements, and listing windows to keep the transaction on time and on course.
Negotiation & Contract Management
Representing the estate's best interests in all offers and counteroffers, with an understanding of the unique contract terms probate transactions often require.
Remote Closing Coordination
Managing the final steps of closing for out-of-state beneficiaries — coordinating title, notarization, and proceeds distribution remotely with zero gaps.
Real Estate Handled.
Families Protected.
Most families dealing with the loss of a parent or loved one aren't in Florida. They're managing grief from across the country, trying to figure out what to do with a property they've never seen — and a legal process they don't understand. Diana built her practice around exactly that situation.
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You don't have to travel. Diana manages the entire process on the ground in Fort Lauderdale — cleanouts, contractors, showings, closing — so you don't need to fly down.
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She knows the courts and the attorneys. With over a decade of probate experience in Broward County, Diana has established relationships with local estate and trust attorneys — and has testified in court on multiple occasions.
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She handles the emotional weight too. Probate clients aren't just sellers — they're grieving families. Diana brings patience, empathy, and clear communication to every step.
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Certified and credentialed in what matters. Diana holds the CPRES, CDRE, SRES, and CDPE designations — specialized training that most agents simply don't have.
A Real Estate Partner
Estate Attorneys Trust
Diana works alongside estate and trust attorneys throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties — providing the real estate expertise their clients need while keeping the legal process on track.
When you refer a client to Diana, you're not handing them off to a general agent. You're connecting them with a specialist who understands your process, respects your timeline, and communicates clearly — so you can stay focused on the law.
What Attorneys Appreciate
- Familiar with court-confirmation requirements and probate sale timelines
- Provides BPOs and market analyses suitable for probate proceedings
- Proactive communication — you won't have to chase her for updates
- Out-of-state families accommodated fully — no travel required
- Discreet, professional handling of sensitive estate situations
- 18+ years of experience and a proven closing record
What Families & Attorneys Are Saying
"Diana is knowledgeable, professional, fair, and incredibly easy to work with throughout every stage of the process. Her experience with probate and estate sales is especially valuable — she understands how to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and care."
"The loss of a loved one is always difficult — knowing you have the right professionals in your corner is invaluable. Diana and her skilled team got the property sold quickly and for top dollar. We can't thank Diana enough for their incredible service to our family."
"We just closed on an estate property with the help of Diana Fairbanks and were impressed with the speed and professionalism she provided. You are an excellent real estate agent in the Fort Lauderdale area and beyond."
Probate Real Estate FAQ
Generally, no — the personal representative must be formally appointed by the court before selling estate property. However, there are circumstances where the property can be prepared and even listed while probate is being opened. Diana works with your estate attorney to begin the preparation process as early as legally appropriate, minimizing delays.
In Florida, a probate real estate sale typically takes 3–12 months, depending on whether it's a formal or summary administration. Formal administration is required when the estate exceeds $75,000, and it involves court oversight at multiple stages. Diana coordinates closely with the estate attorney to keep the real estate timeline aligned with the legal process.
No — and that's exactly what Diana's concierge service is built for. She manages everything on the ground: property access, cleanouts, contractor coordination, showings, and closing logistics. Most of her probate clients are out of state and never set foot in the property.
Diana evaluates each property individually and advises the estate on whether to repair, sell as-is, or pursue a hybrid approach. She has a vetted network of contractors, cleanout crews, and stagers who work with probate timelines. In many cases, targeted repairs or a thorough cleanout significantly increase the final sale price.
Diana is a collaborative partner, not a replacement. She communicates directly with the attorney's office, provides listing updates and market data for the estate file, and coordinates her timeline with court deadlines. She has appeared as a real estate expert in Broward County court proceedings and understands exactly what probate attorneys need from their referral partners.
Investor offers are almost always below market value — that's their business model. They're targeting probate properties specifically because they know families are often overwhelmed and may accept a quick, easy offer without realizing what they're leaving on the table. In most cases, listing on the open market with proper preparation will net the estate significantly more. Diana will give you an honest comparison so you can make the right decision for the estate — not just the fastest one.
Let's Talk About
Your Family's Property
Whether you're an executor navigating probate for the first time or an estate attorney looking for a trusted referral partner — Diana is ready to help. The first conversation is always free.
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