What heirs' property is
Land passed through generations without a clear deed often becomes "heirs' property" — owned in shares by every descendant. Any single co-owner can force a sale, which has cost Black families an estimated 12 million acres of land since 1910.
How to fix it
Hire a real-estate attorney to clear the title. The Center for Heirs' Property Preservation in Charleston and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives' Land Assistance Fund both work with families to clear titles affordably.
Set up a family LLC
Once title is clear, transfer ownership to a family LLC with bylaws governing sale, rental, and ownership transfers. This protects future generations from the same vulnerability.