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.
Heir property goes delinquent more often than ordinary property, and it’s not because the families don’t care. It’s because the way this kind of ownership is structured almost invites the taxes to slip through the cracks. Understanding why can help you fix it.
The core issue is that no one is clearly in charge. When a property is owned by a group of heirs, each holding an undivided share, the tax bill belongs to everyone and therefore to no one in particular. Each owner may assume another is handling it. Some heirs live far away and never see the notices. Others don’t even know they’re on the title. With responsibility spread thin across people who may not coordinate, a year gets missed, then another, and the delinquency compounds.
There’s a second, quieter reason. Exemptions that kept the taxes low for the original owner, like a homestead or an over-65 exemption, can change or fall away when that owner dies. Texas does have provisions that allow certain heirs who live in an inherited home to claim a homestead exemption, but families often don’t know to apply, so the bill can jump at the same time no one is clearly paying it. It’s worth asking the tax office or an attorney whether any exemption could apply to your situation.
Once the account is delinquent, the usual path follows: penalties and interest accrue, the account can be referred for collection, and a lawsuit may name the heirs. From there, heirs can work with the taxing authority on the balance and any exemptions, clear the title through an attorney, or sell their individual shares. Selling your portion removes you from the delinquent account and any lawsuit tied to it, without needing the rest of the owners to get organized.
A couple of questions we hear a lot:
Could we lower the bill by claiming an exemption we missed? Possibly. If an heir lives in the home, a homestead exemption may be available, and other exemptions could apply depending on circumstances. Ask the appraisal district or tax office directly, since it can make a real difference.
Can I deal with my share if the other heirs won’t get organized? Yes. You don’t need the group to act. You can sell your own undivided interest and step out of the delinquent situation regardless of what the others do.
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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