Who owns a property inherited by siblings paying taxes?

Full question:

My son has been paying taxes for over ten years on a property that he and his brothers inherited from their father. Who is the rightful owner of the property?

  • Category: Real Property
  • Subcategory: Deeds
  • Date:
  • State: Hawaii

Answer:

A co-owner does not automatically gain ownership of another co-owner's share just by paying taxes. The ownership remains as stated on the deed. However, a co-owner may seek reimbursement from the others for their share of the taxes. Each joint owner is responsible for their proportionate share of mortgage payments, taxes, and any special assessments related to the property.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Simply paying back taxes on a property does not grant ownership. Ownership is determined by the deed and title. However, if someone pays taxes on a property they do not own, they may seek reimbursement from the true owners for their share of the taxes paid.