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.
Many heirs assume a simple fix. Just pay the back taxes and own the home outright. So the question comes up a lot. If you pay the back taxes, do you own the whole property? Usually not, and here is why.
First, understand heir property. When a relative dies, the property passes to several heirs. So you own a share, not the entire home. The other heirs own their shares too.
Why you pay the back taxes but still share ownership
Paying the taxes does not change that split. So even after you pay the back taxes, you still own only your share. The other heirs keep theirs. Because of that, paying the bill does not buy anyone out.
Then what does paying accomplish? It keeps the property out of a tax auction. So paying the back taxes protects the home from a forced sale. Still, it does not make you the sole owner.
To own the whole property, you would need the other heirs’ shares. So you would have to buy each one out or reach an agreement. That takes money, cooperation, and time.
Meanwhile, you carry the full tax bill for a property you only partly own. So many heirs decide that is not worth it. Instead, they sell their own share and step away.
In short, paying the back taxes keeps the home safe for now. But it does not hand you the whole property.
What this means for you:
Paying the back taxes keeps the property from auction, but it does not make you sole owner.
You would still need to buy out the other heirs to own the whole property.
If you want to be bought out of the lawsuit and have your name removed, no cost to you, call or text us at (469) 708-8003 today.
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