I’m trying to buy a blighted property in Ohio where the owner passed away. There’s no will and no mortgage, but the taxes are delinquent. I found a distant relative who might inherit based on intestate laws. If she’s a rightful heir, can she just sign a quit claim deed to sell the property? I’d take care of the delinquent taxes after settling with her.
No. You need to go through the probate process. They must assign an estate representative, transfer the deed to her and any other heirs, and deal with tax filings and debts.
Emory said:
No. You need to go through the probate process. They must assign an estate representative, transfer the deed to her and any other heirs, and deal with tax filings and debts.
Thanks! How does the state handle it when it goes up for auction for delinquent taxes?
@Leith
They go through the tax foreclosure process.
The municipality or county takes the property for failure to pay taxes and auctions it off to recover those taxes.
Gray said:
The municipality or county takes the property for failure to pay taxes and auctions it off to recover those taxes.
Exactly. That power to take the property is independent of the estate’s necessity to follow the probate process.
Vacant
It’s been sitting empty for 2 years now.