Friend died, no will, no family....How do I get the house

[Robert Starnes]

Friend died back in 2019, he had a paid off SFR in Gwinnett County, Georgia north of Atlanta.

I have paid 2 years of back taxes over $6000 and another bill is coming due.

Friend had no close family. I contacted what family he had left and made a deal to lease purchase property for a modest amount and put money down on top of paying the back due property taxes.

I can't find any attorney's that seem to be interested in helping me navigate a pathway to getting title to the property or even letting me pay for a title search since I am not using them to "Close" on a home.

County government has been no help, they either won't return any calls or tell me they can't dispense legal advice when I ask them how to proceed. Surely this is not that uncommon of a situation?

Has anyone dealt with this type of situation? I am starting to think I need to petition probate court to settle the estate since no one else will do it and I have paid the property taxes?

Thanks for any help you may have.

                   -Robert 

[Wayne Brooks]

@Robert Starnes Simply paying the property taxes gives you No interest, lien or anything else that will help you get the property. 

The county has no involvement in this and can not help you. 

The Only way to get it is to hire an estate/probate attorney, with the heirs cooperation, and go thru probate so the heirs have the Legal right to sell to you.