Urban Institute

The Impact of the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act: Local Lessons and the Way Forward

The event centered on the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act (UPPA), a legislative effort aimed at protecting families who inherit property without clear titles. Speakers highlighted how heirs’ property—often held by multiple descendants—creates legal uncertainty, leading to forced sales that erode generational wealth, especially in Black and low‑income communities. Key insights included the rapid spread of UPPA to 26 states, yet uneven implementation that leaves many families without effective relief. Researchers emphasized that title insecurity, gridlocked ownership requirements, and lack of access to financing perpetuate the problem. JP Morgan Chase’s commitment of more than $16 million to legal aid, community organizations, and research underscores the private sector’s role in addressing these gaps. Notable moments featured Dr. Thomas Mitchell, a MacArthur‑fellow and principal drafter of the act, who recounted his three‑decade field research that uncovered the hidden scale of heirs’ property loss. Olivia Baris Strauss of JP Morgan Chase underscored the firm’s partnership with the Urban Institute and highlighted success stories from Georgia, New York, Vermont, and Pittsburgh as models for broader adoption. The discussion signals that without coordinated policy enforcement and robust data, UPPA’s promise may remain unrealized. Lawmakers, lenders, and community advocates must translate the act’s provisions into on‑the‑ground tools to safeguard homes, unlock financing, and preserve wealth for future generations.