My mother died last year my step father died two years ago.I have been living in my step fathers house for 18 years we have been paying the taxes in my mothers name for 8 years do we have sqatters rights to the land and ;)do we have to fight his kids to for land!

No, squatters rights don't really exist anymore.

Did either the step father or mother leave a will? How was the property titled?

Since the step father died first, if title was held as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship, then the property went to mom. When she died it went to her heirs. If it wasn't JTWROS, then the house should have been divided among the step father's heirs.

Yes, you paying the taxes was just being nice and helping, does not give you any rights, At this point, you have to follow the will, go by any other owners listed on the deed, or go by state law in probate court.

If the property was owned by joint, then his kids should not have any claim, but you need to take the deed, any will to a probate attorney to have it allreviewed

No, squatters rights don't really exist anymore.

Did either the step father or mother leave a will? How was the property titled?

Since the step father died first, if title was held as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship, then the property went to mom. When she died it went to her heirs. If it wasn't JTWROS, then the house should have been divided among the step father's heirs.


No niether left a will it was in his name the only thing was in words he told all his he was leaving the house to me he was the only one that was on the deed but the bank lost the deed!

Without a will and if the house was in his name, then his estate, including the house, needs to be distributed according to the inheritance laws of the state.

If his kids fight for the property, they will likely win. You can, however, get reimbursed for the taxes you paid, if you can prove you paid them.

no niether left a will it was in his name the only thing was in words he told all his he was leaving the house to me he was the only one that was on the deed but the bank lost the deed!


All Deeds are on file with the County - go to the County Clerk's office and get a copy.