When a property owner dies without a will, or when an estate hasn’t been probated, it can leave property ownership split across multiple family members, resulting in a lack of clear title to the property. This lack of clear title prevents “heirs” from accessing resources like tax exemptions or repair loans to help maintain the property. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to deterioration, vacancy, and abandonment. While nonprofits and legal service providers have programs to help families resolve heirs’ property issues, local governments are beginning to develop programs as well to prevent future vacancy. This session will review how local government can identify potential heirs’ properties and highlight emerging practices for municipalities to address and prevent vacancy and deterioration among heirs’ properties.