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HARRISBURG, PA \u2013 February 27, 2026 \u2212 Senator James Andrew Malone (D-36, Lancaster) today announced he has introduced SB 1203 to help families secure legal ownership of homes passed down to them by creating a streamlined process to help counties efficiently untangle unclear property titles. A companion bill to Representative Greg Scott\u2019s HB 2172<\/a>, the legislation would help resolve home title issues for working and middle-class families through the creation of a small estate primary residence affidavit.<\/p>\n Unclear or \u201ctangled\u201d titles often arise when a homeowner passes away and family members continue living in the home without formally updating property records. When a title remains in a deceased relative\u2019s name, heirs can face significant obstacles, including difficulty selling the home, securing financing, or qualifying for home repair grants that require clear proof of ownership.<\/p>\n SB 1203\/HB 2172 would allow counties to use a small estate primary residence affidavit to efficiently resolve unclear titles. The process would apply to primary residences assessed at under $150,000, providing an affordable and practical path to legal ownership for families of modest means.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re living in your deceased parents\u2019 home and paying the bills, red tape shouldn\u2019t stand in your way,\u201d said Senator Malone. \u201cThis legislation is a common-sense way to simplify the legal process for small estates and help families secure the homes their loved ones worked hard for.\u201d<\/p>\n