Thomas Moore: Two Decades Tackling Nevada’s Property Abandonment Crisis

In the sun-baked neighborhoods of Southern Nevada, vacant homes can become more than eyesores—they can drag down property values, invite crime, and burden families already grieving. For over 20 years, Thomas Moore has positioned himself as a problem-solver in this space, evolving from real estate foreclosure specialist to a licensed private investigator and founder of Estate Administration Services in Las Vegas. 

Moore’s journey began in the early 2000s amid the housing market’s boom-and-bust cycles. In 2003, he partnered with real estate teams to address abandonment issues in the foreclosure process. By 2008, his nationwide training of agents on managing large-scale Real Estate Owned (REO) portfolios—properties held by banks and mortgage companies—earned him the informal title “REO Professor.”

His focus sharpened over time. In 2010, while at Haines & Krieger Realty, Moore turned his attention to abandonment cases in bankruptcy court. By 2014, he shifted to probate court, where he observed similar patterns of neglected estates affecting communities. What started as hands-on estate administration expanded into a broader support model: estate location, research, heir finding, property preservation, and short sales for distressed properties with little or no equity.

Today, as owner of Estate Administration Services (estateservicesnv.com), Moore leads a team that claims to have helped more than 3,000 clients with complex estates since 2004. The company emphasizes probate services, asset management, and short sales in Nevada, working closely with attorneys, private administrators, and others to manage distressed probate estates. 

A Licensed Investigator’s Approach

Moore brings a licensed private investigator’s toolkit to estate work—skills in research, locating heirs, and preserving properties that might otherwise fall into disrepair. His background in real estate technology and Nevada’s foreclosure processes informs a practical, efficiency-driven style. On the company site, he stresses partnership: guiding families through legal, financial, and emotional challenges with expertise, integrity, and personalized service. 

Testimonials on the site highlight relief for families who felt overwhelmed. One heir noted receiving estate proceed checks after feeling lost, while another praised the team for making the process “stress-free.” A client called Moore a “true professional.” The company positions itself around four pillars: expertise in probate law, trust and integrity, tailored solutions, and compassionate support.

Moore has collaborated with real estate professionals on hundreds of cases, often involving independent administration granted by Clark County courts. Proponents see this as a way to move estates forward efficiently when families are absent or unwilling to participate in the probate process. His work has intersected with broader efforts to curb property blight in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. 

Hero to the Community: Solving Probate’s Toughest Challenges

What sets Moore and his team apart is their hands-on approach to the most intractable problems in probate estates—issues that often leave heirs paralyzed and neighborhoods suffering. Estate Administration Services operates on a model that removes financial barriers for families while tackling the gritty realities of distressed properties.

No Upfront Retainers: Removing the Financial Barrier for Heirs

One of the biggest hurdles in probate is cost. Heirs frequently have no idea whether an estate has any equity—especially when properties sit vacant or underwater—and they lack the liquidity to cover legal filings, property maintenance, or preservation efforts. Moore’s company addresses this directly: they charge nothing upfront to heirs, and they partner with probate attorneys who work on a contingency basis for qualifying estates. 

This arrangement proves transformative. Families avoid out-of-pocket expenses for essential tasks such as court filings, securing and rekeying the home, preparing it for sale, monitoring foreclosure risks, negotiating with lenders and HOAs, managing utilities, and clearing squatters. 

This arrangement proves transformative. Families avoid out-of-pocket expenses for essential tasks such as court filings, securing and rekeying the home, preparing it for sale, monitoring foreclosure risks, negotiating with lenders and HOAs, managing utilities, and clearing squatters. 

Moore’s team offers this no-upfront-cost service for both traditional probates with positive net value (through contingency arrangements with their attorney partners) as well as underwater estates where the mortgage and liens exceed the property’s resale value. In the latter case, the team works directly with mortgage servicers and lien holders to secure additional time, negotiate reduced payoffs in full, and more— all at no cost to the heirs. 

By removing financial barriers regardless of whether the estate ultimately has equity, Moore levels the playing field for families who might otherwise walk away from complex or cash-poor properties, allowing them to resolve the estate without shouldering new expenses during an already difficult time.

Squatted and Underwater Properties: Reclaiming Blighted Homes from Chaos

Many probate properties become magnets for squatters, turning them into safety hazards and neighborhood blights. Occupants often engage in criminal activity—drug use & sales, meth labs, gang operations, human trafficking, property destruction, and theft. These situations carry real danger: squatters can be confrontational or violent, and Nevada law treats them similarly to tenants, requiring formal eviction processes.
 
Moore coordinates evictions through private services, courts, and law enforcement as needed. His team secures properties (rekeying, boarding, monitoring) and works to restore neighborhood stability. Company blog posts describe successes like clearing squatters from fire-damaged homes or Torrey Pines-area properties that had sat untouched for years, ultimately delivering proceeds to heirs while lifting community morale. 

Compounding the issue, many homes are “underwater”—owing more on mortgages and liens than their market value. Here, Moore’s foreclosure and REO background shines. His team requests lender payoffs, negotiates short sales, seeks court-ordered postponements of auctions, and sometimes arranges third-party funding to reinstate mortgage loans or address HOA liens. They provide these services at no upfront cost, often buying time and securing relocation funds. This prevents foreclosure auctions that could wipe out any remaining equity and stops the cycle of abandonment. 

High Debt Loads and Dispersed Heirs: Bringing Clarity and Closure

Probate estates frequently carry layers of debt—mortgages, Medicaid liens, HOA fees, utilities, and more—leaving uncertainty about whether heirs will see any proceeds. Moore’s investigative skills come into play as the team locates all creditors, quantifies claims, and determines net value. They negotiate settlements where possible and ensure transparent accounting so families know the real picture before investing emotional energy. 

Simultaneously, heirs can be scattered across the country or unaware of the death. Moore’s team tracks them down, delivers notifications, secures required signatures, and clarifies entitlements. One blog example highlights locating a niece who had no idea her uncle had passed, turning a stalled case into a resolved one with funds distributed. 

This comprehensive research prevents estates from languishing in limbo, reduces creditor pressure, and maximizes outcomes for beneficiaries.

Thomas Moore’s Commitment to Community

Despite the complexities, Moore frames his career as a mission against property abandonment. “For over two decades, I have worked tirelessly to address the pervasive property abandonment crisis in Southern Nevada,” he says, “guided by a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and community welfare.”