# Understanding the HEIRS Act of 2024

When someone dies without a will, their property often passes to multiple family members who technically own it together. This creates what's called "heirs' property," and it causes real problems. Multiple owners can't easily sell the property, get a loan against it, or make repairs without everyone agreeing. Banks won't lend on it. The property can fall into disrepair. And if one heir wants to sell but others don't, disputes can drag on for years. This bill creates federal funding to help people untangle these messy situations.

The HEIRS Act sets up two main grant programs. First, it gives $30 million per year (from 2025 through 2035) to states and local governments that adopt a specific law called the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. This money helps residents pay for the expensive paperwork involved in clearing up ownership—things like title searches, surveys, legal fees, and filing costs. Second, it provides $10 million per year (from 2025 through 2029) to nonprofits, legal clinics at universities, and housing counseling agencies to help heirs' property owners with counseling, legal help, and financial assistance. The bill specifically targets these grants toward minority communities and low-income families, who are disproportionately affected by heirs' property problems.

The bill also requires housing counseling agencies that receive federal funding to educate people about heirs' property risks and connect them with resources that can help. This is important because many people don't realize they're sitting on heirs' property until they try to sell or refinance and hit a wall. By spreading awareness and providing actual financial help to cover the costs of fixing title issues, this bill aims to prevent families from losing homes or being unable to access their property's value. It's particularly significant for rural communities and communities of color, where heirs' property is more common due to historical patterns of property ownership and inheritance.