So, you’ve just inherited a family heirloom or a modest estate, and suddenly, you’re hit with an unexpected bill from the state. It’s not a tax, not an inheritance fee, but a “property recovery fee.”
For heirs, this can be a surprising and frustrating development—one that’s left many scratching their heads. What exactly are these fees, and why is the government charging them to people who are just trying to settle an inheritance? The rise of property recovery fees is changing how estates are handled, and it’s time to dig into why states are adopting this practice.
