The Probate Court of Madison County announced the launch a new online tool to help conbat real estate fraud in Madison County.

“A significant increase of fraudulent real estate transactions in surrounding states and isolated cases in North Alabama has caused valid concern,” a press release from the Probate Court stated. “This activity most commonly involves an improperly conveyed deed on an unoccupied or seasonal home and on unimproved or vacant land.”

The Madison County Probate Court and Tax Assessor’s offices worked with the area legal, real estate, and banking community to develop a notification system that any real property owner in Madison County can subscribe to at no cost.

This new Property Notification System is designed to alert a real property owner via email if a deed is filed in the Madison County Probate Office that changes the listed owner’s name in Probate Court and Tax Assessor records.

“This is just one more way the Probate Court has improved the way we serve and protect the residents of Madison County” said Judge Frank Barger. “Our team takes great pride in being responsive to the needs of those we serve and constantly improving to meet demands of the environment in which we conduct business.”

“Availability of this service would not be possible without a strong partnership and good working relationship with Tax Assessor Cliff Mann,” he added. “The Probate Court is grateful for the Tax Assessor’s participation and support of this project.”

Property owners may register at https://madisonproperty.countygovservices.com/Property/Property/propertynotification

or click on the blue “property notification” link when reviewing your tax assessment record at

https://madisonproperty.countygovservices.com/Property/Property/Search

For questions related to the Property Notification System, please contact Meghan Gomez or Harrison Lindsey in the Probate Court Office at 256-532-3330 or via email to probate@madisoncountyal.gov