Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Can an heir be held responsible for paying property taxes even if they weren't living in the house at one point but is now? I own a home with my brother (we each own 50%, home left to us by our deceased mother) he was out of the home due to a temporary restraining order I had against him for assaulting me (I had to be hospitalized), he refused to pay the property taxes, I don't have much of an income so I was forced to sell my car to keep up with the taxes and pay the back taxes. I've paid them on my own for 3 years, he now resides back in the home with me & Refuses to pay this year too or help with upkeep. Can I sue him for this? And for losing my only means of transportation? I can't even get him to help with a light bill which he runs up sky high and refuses to help pay also. I'm just at a loss.


Asked on 10/06/13, 5:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Barry Stein De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary

He is responsible for the taxes once he took ownership. That means any past as well as future taxes. if you paid them all you can sue him for an accounting and the expenses you paid that benefited him. You cannot sue for the loss of your car. Sounds like you may want to consider a partition action in order to sell the property so going forward you and he wont own it anymore. Seek legal guidance.

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Answered on 10/07/13, 7:00 am


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