Handling an inherited Pinellas house from another state, or another country

What actually requires you to be in Pinellas

Less than you'd think. Probate petitions are filed electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, so the attorney handles the filing. In the probates we handle, heirs don't go to court at all. Here's what each step looks like from far away:

Some people choose to come down once to go through the house and take what matters. That's welcome, but it's not required. Heirs keep what matters and leave the rest.

Looking after an empty house from a distance

The hardest part of being far away isn't the paperwork. It's knowing the house is sitting empty. A few steps help:

• Have someone local check on it weekly. A neighbor, a friend of your parent, or a paid service.
• Keep the power on and the air conditioning set so humidity doesn't turn into mold.
• Call the insurance company. Some policies change coverage when a house is vacant.
• Forward the mail so tax bills and code notices don't pile up unseen.
• Keep the yard maintained. An overgrown lot draws code complaints and signals that nobody's home.
• Change the locks if you don't know who has keys.

During hurricane season, add one more: someone who can check the house after a storm. See our hurricane damage guide if it's already been hit.

Notarization, translation, and documents from abroad

For heirs in another state, a local notary or remote online notarization usually covers it. For heirs in another country, a few extra steps come in:

1. Translation. Documents may be translated and certified into the heir's language so they understand exactly what they're signing.
2. Foreign notarization. The heir signs before a notary or other official in their country. The attorney and title company will say which form of notarization and certification is needed for that country.
3. Courier or scan. Originals may need to be sent back to Florida, depending on the document.
4. International wire. The heir's share is wired to their bank at closing.

This takes longer than a domestic closing, mostly because of translation and shipping. It's very doable. We're not attorneys, and the estate's attorney decides exactly which documents need which formalities.

An heir in Romania

One of the most meaningful cases we've handled started with a private investigator. Through that search, a man in Romania, Miadora, learned from us that his former wife and son had died in Florida and that he was next of kin to their homes.

Documents were translated and certified into Romanian. He signed and notarized them in Romania. The closing was done by remote online notarization and international wire. Alex also visited his son's grave, took photos, and sent him the coordinates.

Miadora wrote: "Alex did the impossible for me." And: "Alex visited my son's grave for me, took pictures, and gave me the coordinates. I am grateful that there are kind humans in the world like Alex."

Two estates and a father in Russia

In another case, two family members passed away within months of each other. They left two homes and a complicated estate. The last living heir was their father, who lived in Russia.

We handled the purchase, two estates' worth of paperwork, and a remote closing. He never had to travel to Florida. Cases like this take patience, careful document work, and an attorney and title company comfortable with international signers. More of these are on our stories page.

Money and tax questions from a distance

Heirs who live elsewhere often ask whether Florida will take a cut. A few general points:

• Florida has no state inheritance tax and no estate tax.
• Inherited property generally gets a stepped-up tax basis to its value on the date of death. Selling soon after usually means little or no capital gain. Confirm with a CPA.
• Where you live may matter. Another state or country can have its own rules about inheritances or foreign income. Ask a tax professional there.
• You won't need to wire money in. Taxes, liens, and any mortgage on the house are paid from the sale at closing, so heirs bring no money.

We're not tax advisors or attorneys. These are starting points for a conversation with yours.

Choosing someone you can trust from far away

When you can't drive by the office, trust matters more. A few things worth checking about any buyer, agent, or attorney:

• Is there a real local office? Ours is at 2529 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713.
• Will they put everything in writing, including who pays the probate and closing costs?
• Do they close through a licensed Florida title company, so the money is handled by a neutral party?
• Can you check their reviews and history? 131 Cash Home Buyers has been buying houses in Tampa Bay since 2018, and Pinellas Probate Home Buyers is its probate division.

Call or text (727) 353-6206 whenever it fits your time zone.

We’re a home-buying company, not attorneys. This page is general information about Florida probate, not legal advice; an independent licensed Florida probate attorney represents the estate in every probate we pay for. Last updated November 2026.