Legal Question in Tax Law in New Jersey

Are heirs held liable for deceased property taxes?

A property is in the name of father and son. The father dies and the son allows the taxes to go into arrears and the property to go into foreclosure. An outside party purchases the property for the amount due on the mortgage and back taxes. Can he sue all the heirs, of the deceased estate, for reimbursement of the property taxes to include interest, penalties and legal fees? If so, how can the heirs, who received nothing from the estate, avoid being penalized for one sibling's misconduct?


Asked on 10/28/05, 9:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: Are heirs held liable for deceased property taxes?

If the estate was valueless, the heirs have no personal responsibility. The back taxes were part of the Buyer's purchase price, and he should have no claims. You do not state if there were any other assets comprising the estate, which might have gone to the children. If there were other assets, this answer might be different.

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Answered on 10/29/05, 3:28 pm


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