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HEIRS Act of 2025
7/1/2026, 8:09 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1640
The grant program outlined in the bill would provide funding to states that choose to adopt the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. This act provides a framework for resolving disputes related to heirs property, including establishing clear title and ensuring fair treatment for all heirs involved.
In addition to the grant program, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to heirs property. This could include measures to protect the rights of heirs, prevent exploitation, and promote fair and equitable resolution of disputes. Overall, Bill 119 HR 1640 seeks to address the challenges associated with heirs property by providing support to states that adopt the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. This could help to streamline the process of resolving disputes and ensure that all heirs are treated fairly and equitably.
Congressional Summary of HR 1640
Heirs Estate Inheritance Resolution and Succession Act of 2025 or the HEIRS Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants to assist individuals with the legal processes associated with inheriting certain real property.
Under the first program, HUD must provide grants to states that have enacted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA) (or similar state law). The UPHPA provides due process protections against forced property sales for individuals who inherit real property from a landowner without a will. Historically, state property laws have provided that recipients of such property become tenants-in-common, which permits a single tenant to exercise their right to partition and sell the property.
A state or local government must use grant funds to assist residents with expenses related to establishing and documenting property ownership rights or settling a decedent's estate, including costs related to
- obtaining title reports, title abstracts, copies of public records, and land surveys;
- estate planning;
- heirs searches or tracing services; and
- recording and filing fees, notary fees, and legal fees and expenses.
Under the second program, HUD must provide grants to housing counseling agencies, legal services clinics at institutions of higher education, and qualified nonprofits. Such organizations must use grant funds to provide housing counseling, legal assistance, and financial assistance related to title clearing and home retention efforts for individuals who inherit property as tenants-in-common.
