Redeeming tax certificates

[Heath Eisentrager]

I bought tax certificates for a derelict house next to a lot a bought at a tax auction. The house burnt down and the county assessor and treasurer now tell me that I can't continue the process and that the certificates will be refunded by the county. Can they do that?  To make it a bit more complicated, the owner is deceased and the executor, who is also the beneficiary of the will, (not yet probated) wants me to have the property. I was told it will be seized and the taxes cannot be paid at all now. Can they do that? Can they take the certificates back?