Heirs' Property Assistance
Heirs' property can create challenges for families trying to maintain, repair or pass down a family home. The City of Jacksonville and community partners are working to connect residents with resources that can help resolve ownership and title issues and prevent future problems.
What Is Heirs' Property?
Heirs' property can occur when a property owner dies and the property passes to family members, but the estate or ownership records are not formally resolved. Over time, ownership may become divided among multiple heirs, while public records may not clearly identify everyone with an ownership interest. This is sometimes referred to as a tangled title.
Need Help With Heirs' Property?
If the deed to your family home is still in the name of someone who has died, assistance may be available to help determine ownership and resolve title issues.
Heir Property Resolution Assistance
The City of Jacksonville supports heirs' property resolution through funding from its housing and community development programs. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) and LISC Jacksonville work with eligible residents to address ownership and title issues affecting family property.
Apply for Heir Property Resolution Assistance
This application is hosted by JALA and LISC Jacksonville on an external website.
Prefer to speak with someone?
Contact Jacksonville Area Legal Aid at 904-356-8371, ext. 401 or LISC Jacksonville at 904-351-0008.
How Can Title Issues Affect Your Home?
Unresolved ownership or title issues can create problems for families in several ways.
Get Assistance
Title problems may make it more difficult to qualify for certain home repair, rehabilitation or disaster-assistance programs or to obtain other property-related benefits and services.
Make Property Decisions
Unresolved ownership can complicate financing repairs or improvements, selling or transferring a home, or making other decisions involving the property.
Protect the Family Home
Resolving ownership issues can help families protect their property and preserve the home for future generations.
Why Heirs' Property Matters to City Housing Programs
Title issues can become a barrier when residents apply for housing and community development programs.
A household may otherwise qualify for assistance such as home repair or rehabilitation but be unable to move forward because ownership documents do not clearly establish the applicant's interest in the property.
The City of Jacksonville supports heirs' property resolution as part of its housing and community development efforts and continues to examine how ownership and title issues affect residents seeking assistance through City programs.
Upcoming Event
Estate Plan Signing Day
Monday, October 19, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
1620 Helena Street
Jacksonville, FL
Held during Florida City Week, Estate Plan Signing Day will connect homeowners with information and assistance related to estate planning. Existing clients of Three Rivers Legal Services will also have an opportunity to complete and sign estate-planning documents.
Space may be limited. Additional information about eligibility, registration and available services will be added as event details are finalized.
What Should I Do?
Addressing ownership and estate-planning issues before they become a crisis can help protect a family home for future generations. The right next step depends on your situation.
I Own My Home
Consider speaking with a qualified attorney about estate planning and the options available for your individual circumstances.
I Inherited a Family Home
If ownership records have not been updated following the death of a property owner, consider seeking legal assistance to determine whether probate or another legal process may be necessary.
I was denied City assistance because of title issues
Contact the department or program administering your City application and ask what options may be available. You may also seek heir property resolution assistance through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and LISC Jacksonville.
Community Partnerships
The City supports heirs' property resolution efforts through partnerships with community organizations that provide education, legal assistance and estate-planning resources to Jacksonville families.
LISC Jacksonville works with residents and community partners to identify potential title issues, connect families with legal services and help prevent future heirs' property problems.
Learn more about LISC Jacksonville's heirs' property work
Legal Assistance
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) provides free civil legal assistance to eligible residents and may be able to help with probate, heirs' property and other title-related issues.
Learn how to apply for legal assistance through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Eligibility for legal services and heirs' property assistance depends on program requirements and individual circumstances. Submitting an application does not guarantee that assistance or legal representation will be provided.
Additional Resources
Please note: This webpage provides general information and is not intended as legal advice. Property ownership, probate and estate-planning matters vary by individual circumstances. Residents with questions about their legal rights should consult a qualified attorney.