San Francisco

What To Do When Someone Dies

First steps after a death in San Francisco — confirm authority, gather documents, and pause listing talk until the basics are stable.

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Overview

After a death in San Francisco, the most expensive early mistakes are usually about timing: transferring, listing, or promising a sale before anyone confirms who can act. Start with certificates, access to the property, and the ownership file. Bigger valuation and tax questions matter, but they land better once the first-week facts are in one place.

What to keep in mind

  • Confirm executor, trustee, or surviving owner authority before acting
  • Collect ownership and building documents with the death certificates
  • Hold off on listing conversations until value and basis have a plan

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Early practical steps often touch several specialties. Use this guide to organize the work, then route each open question to the right professional.

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