LinkedIn Attorney Series · Post 3 of 11
August 24, 2026 · Marc Cormier
As featured in The National Law Review
Does Your Client Know Whether the Water Is Still On at the House?
Probate Attorneys: Does your client know whether the water is still on at the house?
It sounds like a small question. It is not. When an estate property becomes vacant, one of the first things I want to know is: Where is the main water shutoff -- and should the water be turned off?
Think about what happens if a toilet supply line breaks, a washing-machine hose fails, a pipe freezes, or a water heater leaks. Nobody may be living there to notice. Water can run for hours -- or days -- damaging hardwood floors, drywall, ceilings, cabinets, electrical systems, and personal property.
The Personal Representative should know: Is the water on? Where is the main shutoff? Who is responsible for the property? What does the insurance company require? Who is checking the house?
Before we talk about selling the house, let's make sure we are protecting it.
Attorney Resource
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Help Your Client Address Property Risks Early
Help your client address the property risks early. Call Marc Cormier at 301-660-6272 or visit the Probate Attorney Resource Center.
Marc Cormier
Realtor & Probate Real Estate Specialist
Marc Cormier is a licensed real estate professional with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, based in Montgomery County, Maryland. He has 27 years of experience and has sold close to 1,000 homes, with a focus on probate, distressed properties, and selling inherited property. He holds the SRES designation and has testified in federal court as a qualified real estate expert witness.
Marc Cormier, Realtor · 8075 Leesburg Pike, Suite 720, Tysons Corner, VA 22182 · (301) 660-6272
Full Bio →#MarylandProbate #ProbateAttorney #EstateAdministration #ProbateRealEstate #WaterDamage #VacantProperty
