Vacant property, deceased owner.

[Hannah Chandler]

Hey guys! I have a rather odd and confusing question. I was checking out a vacant lot today and came across a house that looked abandoned but like it would have tons of potential. I did a quick search of the property, found the owner, called the phone number and it was out of service. I then did some more digging and it appears the owner passed away 13 months ago.

BUT... the property is still in his name. It appears he was a single male and that there is no mortgage. 

I have no clue where to go from here. I assume it will come up for auction at some point if the taxes aren't being paid, correct? I've read somewhere that you can pay back taxes, then file a quiet title action? (I'm in California by the way) Kind of a long game plan but could that potentially be a good way to go? 

What I don't understand is why the title is still in his name if he passed away. Wouldn't the state have taken it over even if they were looking for heirs? 

[Hannah Chandler]

UPDATE! I found out the mailing address on file with the county assessors office was different than the one I found. Doing a search of that address, I found it belongs to an older couple in their 90's (probably his parents) but that house went in to foreclosure 3 weeks ago! How do I go about contacting them!? They may not be in the house anymore... is it still worth sending a letter do you think? 

I'm sort of just determined to solve this mystery now, ha!