Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida
Back taxes and auctioned property
My mother is 82 yr. old and has been paying taxes on a property in fla for well over 20yrs. The property was in her deceased aunt's name. When she approached the daughter of her aunt re: the property she expressed no interest in the property but refused to have the necessary paperwork filed to put the property in my mother's name. My mother went to city hall in Jacksonville and explained the situation. She was instructed to not pay the taxes ($330/yr) for 3 yrs. and she would then be given the opportunity to pay up the taxes and get the title/property in her name. She was told that she had to purchase certificates ($500) in order to participate in an auction. I could not understand why there would be a public auction if she was willing to pay the taxes. At any rate my mother left Phila got in Jacksonville hrs. before the auction only to find out that the property was going up for $10,000 instead of $990 due on the back taxes. This property has been in our family for over 100 yrs. Is there any recourse my mother is able to take. She is absolutely broken hearted. Any and all assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Back taxes and auctioned property
if the auction occurred and someone purchased the land, it is too late.