A new law clinic at Georgia State University will offer free legal services to help families counter heirs’ property issues, which experts say are a leading cause of involuntary property loss and a barrier to the creation of generational wealth.
The problem arises when the owner of a property does not appear on the title, which most commonly happens when someone inherits property from a relative who has passed away without leaving a will. Such property is often split between many different family members, but without clear documentation tying them to a property, families often have a difficult time holding onto their land or accessing services like disaster relief funds that require them to prove ownership of their house.
The problem is particularly acute among low-income households. According to a survey commissioned by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, which is pledging $1.5 million to fund the new clinic, about 60% of homeowners nationwide whose household income falls below $50,000 do not have a will, trust or estate plan…