Can I Claim My Family Land in Jamaica If Taxes Are Owed and the Will Was Forged?

Question from Geoffrey, USA:

"Wellesley, I am a Jamaican-born citizen now living in the United States. Before my parents passed away, they had a WILL. My oldest brother—who is also here in the US—got his hands on that WILL and allegedly forged it, then, with help from my two sisters, made themselves the beneficiaries. They stole lands and money. At that time, I was fighting for my life in military hospitals after serving in the Iraq war. I’m now a disabled American veteran. Despite my condition, I came home to Jamaica three times and went to court to show the judge what my brother did, but I wasn’t given a fair chance and he ended up getting everything.

Now I’ve heard that he plans to give the property—five acres—to the government instead of passing it on to me. I grew up on that land before migrating. A friend of mine said I should try to pay the outstanding property tax so the land doesn’t go to the government and might become mine. Can you tell me how to go about this? The property is in Manchester."

Answer by Wellesley:

Geoffrey, first of all, let me say deep respect and gratitude for your service. I can only imagine the mental and emotional toll this situation has taken on you, especially dealing with it while recovering from war injuries. Let’s see if we can shine some light on the way forward.

Since the property is located in Manchester, the most appropriate starting point would be the local Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) office in Mandeville. That’s where you can inquire about the property taxes owed on the land. Now, paying back taxes doesn’t automatically give you legal ownership of a property, but it might help you prevent it from being taken over by the state, especially if the land has been abandoned or left in limbo. Still, it’s only one piece of the puzzle,you’ll want to talk to an attorney in Jamaica who can examine the situation legally, especially considering the claims of a forged will.

The Tax Administration Jamaica Mandeville Office is located at 3 ½ Caledonia Road, Mandeville, Manchester. You can reach them at (876) 962-3920 to 962-3926. Another contact point is the Manchester Municipal Corporation over at 32 Hargreaves Avenue, Mandeville—they may also be able to provide guidance on property ownership concerns or abandoned land matters. You can contact them at (876) 962-2278 or email ceo@manchestermc.gov.jm.

I really recommend that you link up with a trusted lawyer on the ground in Jamaica, preferably one experienced in estate law. They’ll help you review court records, any land transfer documentation, and assess if you have grounds for a legal challenge. If it’s a case of proven forgery, you may have a stronger claim than you think—even after some years.

It’s clear that the land holds emotional and historical value to you, and I hope you find justice and peace through this. Don't give up, Geoffrey. You’ve overcome battles bigger than this. Keep the faith and fight smart, yah man.

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📅 Last updated: June 3, 2025

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