Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Indiana

Judgement Against Me

I gave my exhusband the land we owned together in the divorce. My name was never quit-deeded off it.He stopped paying taxes for the last two years.I want to know if I can catch those taxes up and sue him for full ownership of the land.Both our names are on this property even though in the divorce decree I gave it to him.Which would be better, paying 350.00 to catch taxes up and then sue him for ownership or just let the tax sale take it and have the judgement against me?The land is not worth very much cause it is small but it would give me the rights to the lake which it is located on a Community property where there is a lake and all.I am concerend with my credit and it makes me mad that he has just let it go & never told me.Please help....Tina


Asked on 2/14/02, 9:25 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mary Ann Wunder Wunder & Wunder

Re: Judgement Against Me

Even though your name is still on record as an owner of the property, you have no ownership rights. If you decide to pay the past due taxes, it will only give you the right to sue him to collect back the amount you paid for the taxes; it will not give you the right to sue for ownership of the property.

An alternative suggestion: wait for the tax sale and purchase it for the cost of the back taxes at that time. If he doesn't redeem within the statutory period (or more than 1 year and probably less), then you can own it outright.

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Answered on 2/14/02, 10:51 am


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