Tracking Down Next of Kin of Deceased Owner

[Michael Murphy]

Does anyone have tips on how to track down next of kin if the owner of a property dies?  I have a lead for a vacant property and the neighbor has told me that the owner died and her son also died in the house. 

I tried pulling the obituaries and the neighbor's story checks out.  The property is currently racking up back taxes and is in disrepair.  The deed is still held in the deceased mother's name.  Neither the mother nor son were active on Facebook.  The son's last given address was literally a liquor store.  I was going to go to swing by to see if anyone knew him.

I'm thinking there must be a formal process for identifying next of kin.  If the city auctions the house would the funds just be unclaimed or would they have a way of finding the next of kin?  Even if I am able to track down the next of kin how would I know if they are authorized to sell the property?

If anyone has dealt with this previously I would appreciate any insights.

[Chris Seveney]

Quote from @Michael Murphy:

Does anyone have tips on how to track down next of kin if the owner of a property dies?  I have a lead for a vacant property and the neighbor has told me that the owner died and her son also died in the house. 

I tried pulling the obituaries and the neighbor's story checks out.  The property is currently racking up back taxes and is in disrepair.  The deed is still held in the deceased mother's name.  Neither the mother nor son were active on Facebook.  The son's last given address was literally a liquor store.  I was going to go to swing by to see if anyone knew him.

I'm thinking there must be a formal process for identifying next of kin.  If the city auctions the house would the funds just be unclaimed or would they have a way of finding the next of kin?  Even if I am able to track down the next of kin how would I know if they are authorized to sell the property?

If anyone has dealt with this previously I would appreciate any insights.

 the property would need to go through probate - so that would take time to get it through -  your best bet may be to wait for it to go to tax sale and buy it then.