Detailed Answer

This section explains what typically happens under New Jersey law when someone pays overdue property taxes on land that they did not receive title to by deed or probate. The short answer: paying the taxes protects the property from immediate tax enforcement and gives you a strong basis to seek repayment or other legal remedies, but payment alone does not transfer legal title to you.

How ownership is determined

Legal ownership of real estate in New Jersey depends on the recorded deed or an order from the probate court transferring title out of the decedent’s estate. A tax payment by a non-owner does not automatically change the deed. To appear on the public record as an owner you must receive a deed or court order conveying title (for example, through probate or a signed deed from a current owner).

What your tax payment actually does

It prevents or cures a tax delinquency for the period paid. That can stop a municipality from moving forward with a tax sale while the taxes are up to date.
It creates a documented financial outlay you can use to claim reimbursement, an equitable lien, or another remedy against the titled owner or the estate that benefitted from your payment.
It does not create record title unless the owner records a deed or the court awards title to you. Paying taxes alone is not the same as being named on the deed.

Possible legal claims you can pursue

After you pay back taxes on property you are not listed as owning, common legal routes in New Jersey include:

Reimbursement from the estate: If the land is part of a decedent’s estate and the estate goes through probate, you can present a claim to the executor/administrator for repayment of the tax payments you made on the estate’s property. See New Jersey probate rules in Title 3B (Estates and Fiduciary Relations) for general estate administration rules.
Equitable lien or subrogation claim: Courts may recognize that a person who pays necessary taxes to preserve property has an equitable claim (a right to be repaid) secured by the property’s value. That claim typically requires court action to enforce.
Contract or written agreement: If you make an agreement in writing with other heirs or the executor that your payment will be repaid or that you will receive an ownership interest, that agreement is enforceable in court if properly executed.
Quiet title or partition actions: If ownership is disputed among heirs or claimants, litigation (quiet title or partition) can resolve who owns the property, and courts can award reimbursement or equitable liens as part of the relief.
Tax sale and redemption rights: If the municipality already sold the tax lien or sold the property at a tax sale, specific rules govern redemption and purchaser rights under New Jersey tax-sale law (Title 54). You should check municipal tax-sale procedures and deadlines with the local tax collector or the New Jersey Division of Taxation: NJ Division of Taxation and Title 54 (Taxation).

Practical limits and timing

Timing matters. If you paid taxes before a tax sale, you likely stopped the municipality from foreclosing for that tax period. If you paid after a tax sale, then your payment may be a redemption payment (subject to strict statutory procedures), or you may need to sue to recover the money. Also, New Jersey statutes of limitation and probate deadlines affect claims; consult the applicable statutes in Title 2A (actions and limitations).

Typical outcomes

If the estate has sufficient assets, an executor commonly repays heirs or third parties who preserved estate property by paying taxes.
If the owner refuses to repay, you can sue for reimbursement. A court may grant an equitable lien on the property to secure repayment.
If the estate never completes probate and title remains in the decedent, you must either work with the estate representative or bring a claim in probate or civil court to enforce your rights.
Paying taxes while not on the deed might help later claims like adverse possession if you also satisfy long-term possession requirements, but adverse possession has strict elements and long statutory periods—do not rely on this without legal advice.

How to preserve your position now

Keep all receipts, tax bills, and written communications. Ask the municipal tax collector for a written statement showing which periods you paid and the payment purpose. If the property is part of a decedent’s estate, file a proof of claim with the probate court or contact the executor in writing to assert your claim for repayment.

Statutes and official resources

Key New Jersey resources (statutory and agency pages):

New Jersey statutes — Title 54 (Taxation): https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/title54
New Jersey statutes — Title 3B (Estates and Fiduciary Relations): https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/title3B
New Jersey statutes — Title 2A (Civil procedure; limitations): https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/title2A
NJ Division of Taxation (municipal property tax information): https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/

Helpful Hints

Obtain and keep written proof of every tax payment (receipts, cancelled checks, bank records).
Order a title search at the county clerk/registrar’s office to confirm the current recorded owner and any liens.
Ask the municipal tax collector for a formal payoff statement and a record of delinquency history for the property.
If the land is part of an estate, contact the executor/administrator immediately and file a written claim for repayment if necessary.
Get a written agreement from other heirs or the person with record title before making payments in the future. A signed agreement that your payments will be repaid or converted into an ownership interest prevents disputes.
Consider placing a written notice of claim or a lis pendens if you file suit to protect a prospective property interest (consult counsel first).
Talk to a New Jersey real property or probate attorney early. Small factual differences can change the best legal remedy.

Next steps checklist

Collect receipts and tax documents.
Get a title report from the county land records.
Contact the executor, administrator, or named owner in writing and demand repayment if appropriate.
Consult an attorney about filing a claim in probate court or a civil action for reimbursement or an equitable lien.

Disclaimer: This article explains general principles of New Jersey law and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. You should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney about your specific facts before taking legal action.