Q: What should I do about a Property Sale Tax letter I received for a house I don't live in but was willed to me
My wife inherited 50% her grandfather's house in 2013 when he passed away. We weren't allowed to move in because Louisiana deemed it a family house. Her aunt has been living in the house since 2014 but is not paying property tax. We received a letter in the mail with my wife’s name and her deceased grandmother’s name about Tax Sale because the taxes weren’t paid. Jefferson Paris say we can’t evict her because it’s a family house. What should we do? We have the will and all the paper work.
A: At some point in time the taxes will have to be paid or you risk losing ownership of the house. Based on your post, it is not clear whether the sheriff has seized the property for a tax sale, or if someone pad the unpaid taxes and "purchased" the property---you need to contact an estate/succession lawyer in your area or in the Jefferson Parish area to discuss your options-----you use the phrase "family house" but I am not sure of the context----if you (your wife) solely own the house, then I would think you are responsible for the taxes. If you (your wife) and others own the house, and there's disagreement, then there are ways to force a sale or to rid yourself of any ownership. Good luck.
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