Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Paying real estate taxes for another

I have been paying the taxes on my fathers and uncles property for 10 years now. I am only doing it for my father because his brother wants to kick his disabled sister out of the property and my father doesn't want to do that. Can i claim ownership of the property since for the past 10 years i have been personally making the tax payments on the house. I need to insure my aunt is not evicted in the event my father passes.


Asked on 8/06/08, 1:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roy Hoffman Law Offices of Roy A. Hoffman

Re: Paying real estate taxes for another

No. What you are talking about is claiming an interest by adverse possession. Paying taxes is only one of the things courts look to to establish adverse possession. In addition, you must "openly and notoriously" hold yourself out as the owner and pay for maintenance, among other things. Finally to obtain title by adverse possession you either have to sue whomever is claiming to be the owner, or they have to sue you.

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Answered on 8/06/08, 1:50 pm


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