Am I on the hook for these property taxes?

[Jeff Macdonald]

Here is the situation on a house I purchased recently at Trustee Sale (courthouse steps)

-Previous owner died 2/16. He was a disabled veteran, therefore he had an exception on his property taxes, resulting in almost 0 annual property taxes.

-House never changed ownership to an estate (as far as I am aware), and tax collector/assessor where not aware of the death for all of 2016

-House comes up for trustee sale on 1/2017, and I do my due diligence, and see that property taxes have been paid. Great!

-Assessor/Collector becomes aware of the trustee sale and previous owner death immediately after my purchase (1/17), and charge me (I think it is called a "roll correct") for full property taxes between the death and my purchases. Not great!

I'm pretty sure I am responsible for the taxes (Trustee Sales are completely as is sales, and property taxes follow change in ownership), but maybe someone has a wonderful idea to help me avoid it. Thanks.