I have property from probating my mothers' will. The title company is telling me I have no right to this land/house. It's really a long story but, I need to know who's name is on the warranty deed. My stepfather died in 1980, according to our local tax office mom became the owner in 1988. I've been to probate, I just found out about the inventory list. I don't really know what to do. So I seek advice wherever I can find it. I live in houston Texas, my county is harris. I pray that someone who knows will help me. I am on a fixed income and can't afford the legal help I really need right now.

If you go to the court house and to the recorder of deeds, you can see the current valid deed on the property. Also the tax records will show you who is currently paying the taxes on the property.

If you were in probate, then your attorney in probate would have draw up a new deed on the home for the judge to sign though the probate court recoding the new owner.

** the lax office only shows who is paying the tax, their listed name is not always the same name as on the deed ( normally they are, but not always)

Turner,
I live in Houston, TX as well. I'm a Real Estate investor and I have to go down to county records twice a month. If you would like for me to pull the record or meet at the court house so I can show you how to do it, I would be willing.

County will charge $1 per page and you can search for it electronically by name or legal description. A warranty deed is generally 1-2 pages.

If you post the address I can give you the Harris county appraisal record to see who is the registered owner.

Hi Turner~

Greetings from TEXAS!

You can access the Harris County Appraisal website at:

Harris County Appraisal District

Or more specifically-to search by address:

HCAD Real Property Records


This will allow you to determine to whom the land is registered to. Then compare what you find at the Appraisal district with the Tax Record.

For the Harris County Tax Office-
Harris County Tax Office - Search Current Tax


This should be of great help in fixing your situation. Also, if you are needing to clear title, you might have a case of Adverse Possession. In which case, if so, you could file lawsuit to "Quiet the title". This would clear your property title of the situation which appears to surround it. :-)

I work with low and fixed income community members and understand how difficult it is to achieve on a limited budget. The process can be done without a lawyer but proves difficult for the uneducated. You should also check with the county clerk to see if there is a Legal Aide Service... Google: Lonestar Legal Aide. Harris County may be included in the multi-county region. Their services are provided by the state via pro bono, and will provide you a lawyer for your situation, should you find you still need one.

My father signed loan papers in 1993 for the purchase of my home. I have since paid the loan off. It was not a mortgage, just a loan. Now I have only seen one instance in which my name appears. It was on the 'Allonged' (I think that is what called) but myself nor my father have ever gotten a deed. I have responsibility on the taxes, and only my name appears on the taxes.