Note: BCP Real Estate is not a law firm and its employees/owners are not acting as your attorneys. The information contained on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.
If you suspect a family property might be in tax trouble but you’re not sure, the good news is that this information is largely public, and you can check it yourself without hiring anyone.
Start with the tax records. The county tax assessor-collector and the appraisal district keep records tied to each property, and these generally show the assessed value and whether taxes are current or delinquent. Many counties make this searchable online by owner name or property address, and the tax office will also answer questions by phone. Delinquent taxes are the early warning sign that a lawsuit could follow. To check for an actual filed lawsuit, the county district clerk is the office to look to, since they maintain the records for civil cases, including delinquent tax suits. Those records are generally public and often searchable by the owner’s name.
If you do find something, that’s not a reason to panic, it’s an advantage. Knowing early gives you time and choices. From there you can read the details, decide whether you want to keep the property and respond, or, if it’s an inherited interest you’d rather be free of, look into selling your share before the situation escalates further.
A couple of quick questions:
Can I check this myself without hiring anyone? Yes. Tax status is available through the county tax office and appraisal district, and civil case records are kept by the district clerk, generally public. You can do this research on your own.
What if taxes are owed but no suit is filed yet? That’s a good position, because you have time. You can address the taxes or consider selling your share before things escalate into a lawsuit.
If you’re looking to remove yourself from a lawsuit and get paid for your interest, no cost to you, call or text us at (469) 708-8003 for an offer today.
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