CALIFORNIA: Property Tax: Life Estate Conveyance Not a Change of Ownership

Abstract

In Steinhart v. County of Los Angeles, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a California taxpayer's acquisition of a life estate in real property upon the death of her sister did not constitute a change of ownership so as to trigger a property tax reassessment. A trial court decision dismissing the taxpayer's suit was reversed, and a State Board of Equalization rule was declared to be unenforceable.