Wilmington is Delaware's largest city, and much of its housing is older attached rowhouses and small multifamily buildings. When a family inherits one, the first problem is rarely the house itself. It is the paperwork that proves who may sell it. In Delaware that starts with the Register of Wills in the county where the owner lived.
No obligation. We respond within 24 hours.
Kaizen Home Buyers buys inherited houses for cash and takes them as they are. The family does not repair, clear out or stage anything. We charge no agent commission, make an offer within 24 hours, and can close in 14 to 30 days or on a date the estate chooses.
The New Castle County Register of Wills is at 800 N. French Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. An appointment is needed to open an estate, booked at (302) 395-7800. In-person hours run Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closed noon to 1:00 daily. The county also lists first-Wednesday evening hours in Middletown for people who cannot come downtown during the day.
Delaware raised its small estate limit to $50,000 for deaths on or after June 10, 2026, but that shortcut covers solely owned personal property. The Register's booklet says an estate must be opened when the decedent owned Delaware real estate in their own name, so a rowhouse generally points to formal probate. Delaware has no estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2018, and the booklet says its inheritance tax was eliminated for deaths on or after January 1, 1999. A will, if one exists, must go to the Register within ten days of learning of the death.
Census figures show attached houses are about 54 percent of Wilmington's housing, and pre-1940 construction is the largest age group at about 43 percent. The Downtown Wilmington Commercial Historic District anchors the city center. For a parcel near the Christina River or any low-lying block, use Delaware's flood planning tool before you assume anything about insurance or repairs. Lead paint is another concern listed for aging urban housing in the city data.
Send us the Wilmington address and what you know about the house. We view it as it stands and send a cash offer in 24 hours. Rowhouses are often full of belongings, and that is fine. You do not have to clear anything first.
We cannot decide who has authority to sign or advise on estate taxes. Your attorney and the Register of Wills do that. We can set the closing date after letters issue. Call 267-329-0084, then compare the offer with a listing after repairs, commission and the months a rowhouse might sit.
The New Castle County Register of Wills handles probate for county residents, including Wilmington. Call (302) 395-7800 to book the opening appointment.
Probably not. The limit is $50,000 for deaths on or after June 10, 2026 and covers solely owned personal property. A house in the decedent's own name generally means the estate must be opened.
Eight months from the date of death, according to the Register's booklet. It advises caution about distributing assets before then.
No for deaths on or after January 1, 2018, per the Delaware Code chapter marked repealed. Talk to a tax professional about federal rules.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm details with the office or a professional.
No obligation. No fees. Just a fair offer from a local buyer.