Property Owner Sues Sibling/Co-Owner Over Alleged Failure To Cough Up Her Share Of Real Estate Tax Bill; Asks Judge To Order Forced Sale Of Land

In Jefferson County, Texas, The Southeast Texas Record reports:

• A woman claims her sister failed to pay her half of the property taxes on a piece of Jefferson County real estate the siblings jointly owned. As a result, the property has settled into disrepair, according to recently filed court documents.



• Susan Manuel filed a lawsuit Dec. 30 in Jefferson County District Court against Gwendolyn Lejunie. In her complaint, Manuel alleges she and Lejunie owned the property at 2010 Seventh St. in Port Neches. They inherited the land from their mother, Bonita Manuel, on Aug. 1, 2005, according to the complaint.



• Despite her 50 percent share of the property, however, Lejunie has refused to pay property taxes on it, the suit states. She has also failed to keep the property in a "liveable and marketable" condition, the complaint says.



• Manuel wants the court to order sale of the property. She wants to receive 60 percent of the proceeds as compensation for the loss of market value of the property.

Source: Siblings in dispute over property taxes.