Detailed Answer

Short answer: Paying back property taxes on inherited land does not automatically make you the legal owner. It can protect the property from a tax sale and may give you a claim to be reimbursed or an equitable interest in some circumstances, but a recorded deed or a court order is required to change legal title.

How property taxes, tax liens, and ownership work in California

In California, unpaid property taxes create a lien against the real property. The county tax collector enforces collection and, after a statutory sequence of notices and defaults, the county may eventually offer the property for sale to satisfy those taxes. Simply paying the delinquent taxes pays down or removes that tax lien. It does not, by itself, create or transfer ownership or give you a recorded deed.

Relevant California code collections (for further reading):

Common outcomes when a non-owner pays back taxes

Here are typical legal and practical consequences when you (not listed on the recorded deed) pay delinquent property taxes on inherited land:

The deed still controls title. Ownership shown on the recorded deed is the controlling public record. Tax payment alone will not change the deed or transfer title to you.
You may prevent a tax sale. Paying delinquent taxes typically stops the county from moving forward with a tax-default sale for the period those payments cover. That protects the current record owner and any heirs from losing the property to a buyer at a tax sale.
You may get a reimbursement claim. If you paid the taxes for the benefit of the owners or estate, you can usually seek reimbursement. That claim may be made against the estate during probate, or as a civil claim against the recorded owners. Remedies include a money judgment, an equitable lien, or a constructive trust in certain circumstances.
You may obtain an equitable interest—but it requires proof. California courts may recognize an equitable lien or constructive trust if you can show (1) you paid the taxes expecting reimbursement or a promised interest in the property, (2) there was an agreement or a strong equitable reason, and (3) it would be unfair for the owner to keep the benefit. Without written evidence or a court order, this is often a contested factual dispute.
Recording a lien or written agreement helps. If you want to protect your position, a written agreement signed by the owner(s) and recorded with the county (for example, a memorandum or a recorded lien) provides notice to third parties and strengthens your claim. Absent that, your claim may be unsecured or harder to enforce against subsequent purchasers.

How state procedures for tax-defaulted property can affect your rights

California counties follow statutory procedures before selling tax-defaulted land. If you pay the delinquent taxes before the county completes its tax-defaulted sale process, you typically stop that process. If you wait until after the county has sold the property for unpaid taxes to a third party, your options narrow; the new purchaser may have redemption rights and other statutory protections. Consult the county tax collector’s timeline and the Revenue & Taxation Code provisions for exact deadlines in your county.

Practical steps to protect yourself and your money

If you are considering paying delinquent taxes on inherited property when you are not on the deed, take these practical steps:

Get a written agreement. Before you pay, ask the record owner(s) or the estate representative to sign a clear written agreement describing whether your payment is a loan, a purchase down payment, an investment in exchange for a percentage interest, or payment on behalf of the estate. Include repayment terms and whether a lien will be recorded.
Record notice. Where appropriate, record a written notice of your interest (for example, a deed of trust, assignment, or memorandum of agreement) in the county recorders office so subsequent buyers will have notice of your claim.
Confirm probate or title status. Find out whether the property is in probate, has a pending transfer-on-death instrument, joint tenancy, or some other title arrangement. If the property is in probate, file a creditors claim or a petition with the probate court for reimbursement or an order recognizing your interest.
Keep documentation. Keep receipts, cancelled checks, correspondence, and any promises made in writing. Those items will be evidence if you must sue to recover your payment or enforce an agreement.
Consider a quiet title or partition action if you want legal ownership. If the owners will not transfer title voluntarily, you may need a lawsuit to obtain clear title (for example, quiet title) or to force sale and division (partition). Courts will examine all agreements and payments when distributing proceeds.

How to recover the money if the owner wont pay

Your recovery options depend on facts and timing:

If you paid on behalf of an estate in probate, file a claim in the probate case for reimbursement from estate assets.
If there was a written agreement, you can sue on the contract in small claims court (for small amounts) or in civil court.
If there was no written agreement but equity favors you (for example, you paid taxes because you were promised an ownership interest), a court may impose an equitable lien or constructive trust so you are repaid from the propertys value.
If the property has been sold or transferred to a third party before you acted, recovery may be difficult and dependent on whether your claim was recorded or recognized by the transferee.

When you should consider hiring an attorney

Talk with an attorney if any of the following apply:

You paid a large sum of money.
The owners refuse to repay or transfer title per your agreement.
The property is in probate or in a tax-defaulted sale process.
Title is contested among heirs, or the situation may require a quiet title, partition, or probate litigation.

If you decide to hire counsel, look for attorneys who handle probate, real property, and tax-defaulted property matters.

Helpful Hints

Do not pay taxes on inherited land without a written plan: document whether the payment is a loan, investment, or purchase. Oral promises are hard to enforce.
Record any agreement or memorandum at the county recorders office to give public notice of your claim.
Check whether the property is already in probate. If it is, file a claim in the probate case rather than relying on a private agreement alone.
Contact the county tax collector before you pay. Get an official receipt and written confirmation that your payment cleared the tax delinquency for the intended period.
Keep all receipts, bank records, and written communications. These documents are essential if you must sue to recover your payment.
If you are promised title in exchange for payment, have the owner sign and record a deed (for example, a grant deed or quitclaim deed) or place the funds into escrow conditioned on a recorded transfer.
Pay attention to tax-sale timelines in your county. Different counties may have additional procedures or timelines for tax-defaulted properties.

Where to learn more

General resources:

Final note and disclaimer

This article explains general California principles about paying property taxes on inherited land when you are not on the deed. It is educational only and is not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed California attorney who handles probate, real property, or tax-defaulted property matters.