been making payments on our land since 1994 but it is not in our name. can we get it in our name w/out lawyer

Question

the land is in a deceased family members name who did not have a will to probate.

Answer 1

OUCH ! If this land is not in your name, it is NOT yours. It belongs to the estate of the deceased. The lack of a will does NOT eliminate the need for probate. A person who dies 'intestate' has a will determined by the laws of the state in which he resided. All assets owned by the deceased are distributed to next of kin according to the dictates of the state statute.

Contact an attorney. If this estate remains unsettled after thirteen years, you have some serious work ahead of yourselves.