Kim Ward, CPREA
San Diego County Probate and Trust Real Estate Specialist, Real Estate Broker, educator, and founder of the CPREA designation.
For more than 25 years, Kim has helped executors, administrators, trustees, attorneys, and families navigate the sale of inherited real estate throughout San Diego County.
Key Takeaways
- Kim has completed more than 500 probate and trust home sales in San Diego County. (Source: Kim Ward / Horizon Real Estate transaction records, 2026)
- She founded the CPREA designation and has trained real estate professionals across the country through ProbateBiz.
- 25+ years of specialized experience in probate and trust property, alongside a background as a real estate educator.
- California DRE #01218310, brokered through Horizon Real Estate Probate and Trust Help in La Mesa, CA.
Managing the whole responsibility, not just the sale
Having completed more than 500 probate and trust home sales throughout San Diego County, Kim helps personal representatives manage the full range of responsibilities that come with inherited property. Her work includes property preparation, pricing strategy, disclosure compliance, vendor coordination, vacant property oversight, escrow management, and risk reduction.
Many of the homes she helps sell have been owned by the same family for decades and involve deferred maintenance, remaining personal property, insurance concerns, title issues, vacant property risks, and complex family dynamics. Kim creates a clear plan so families can move forward with confidence while protecting estate assets and fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities.
Executors, administrators, and trustees are often managing an inherited property for the first time while balancing legal, financial, and emotional responsibilities. Kim helps simplify the process by coordinating resources, identifying potential challenges early, and guiding families through each step of preparing, marketing, and selling a home.
Also an educator in the field
In addition to serving clients, Kim is an educator within the probate real estate industry. Through ProbateBiz and the CPREA designation, she has trained real estate professionals across the country on the unique challenges associated with probate and trust property sales. She also creates educational resources to help personal representatives better understand probate, trust administration, inherited property management, and the decisions that often arise after the death of a loved one.
How Kim works
Known for her practical approach, organization, and compassion, Kim and her team's mission is to provide clear guidance, reduce uncertainty, protect estate interests, and help families successfully navigate the transition of selling a loved one's home.
The team behind the process
Ashlie, Business Partner
Since 2014, Ashlie has been a cornerstone of the Probate and Trust Help team. A San Diego State University graduate, she began as the office's assistant, handling research and data entry, then earned her real estate license in 2017 and became Kim's business partner in 2023. Their complementary strengths have elevated the team's client care across every transaction.
DRE #02042935
Verify Kim's background yourself
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