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 a family property in Franklin County has ended up in a tax lawsuit with your name on it, the questions that come with it are normal. A lot of people we hear from didn’t know they were connected to the property at all.
Often the first contact is a constable or sheriff’s deputy at the door with a citation and an Original Petition. Being served in person is unsettling, and people frequently assume it’s something more serious than it is. In these matters it’s usually just the standard way a civil case over unpaid property taxes begins. It isn’t a criminal charge, and it isn’t a scam.
The usual cause is a gap in probate. When an owner passes away without probate, their interest passes to the next of kin under Texas intestacy laws, while the county’s records still list the original owner. When the taxes go unpaid long enough, the suit is filed and the county researches the family tree to name the living heirs.
In Franklin County, taxes run through the Franklin County Tax Assessor-Collector (208 Highway 37, Mount Vernon, TX 75457; 903-537-4383), property values are set by the Franklin County Appraisal District, and the case is on record with the Franklin County District Clerk. All of it is public and can be confirmed before you make any decision.
From there, people generally resolve the lawsuit with an attorney, look into a payment arrangement, or sell their portion, which takes them out of the lawsuit without needing everyone else to agree.
A couple of questions we hear a lot in Franklin County:
It’s a lake place near Mount Vernon we rarely use. Can I sell just my share? Yes. You can sell your individual share of the property without selling the whole thing, and without the other heirs having to agree.
I’m out of state now. Can I handle this remotely? Yes. The signing is handled by online or mobile notary, so you can take care of everything from wherever you are.
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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