MO HB2770

Allows property owners to formally abandon real property by filing a notarized notice of abandonment with the county recorder of deeds, relieving them of future maintenance obligations and legal liability

Establishes a priority system for transferring abandoned property ownership: first to co-owners, then tenants (45-day election window), then abutting landowners, same-block landowners, condominium associations/subdivision trustees, lienholders, municipality, and finally the county

Requires a $100 fee for parties electing to take ownership under most categories, plus a $50 fee paid by the abandoning party for posting and mailing notices

Mandates the recorder of deeds to post notice on the property and mail notice to all lienholders, nearby property owners, tenants, and local government within 45 days

Preserves the right to seek a court declaration of abandonment and specifies that abandonment only relieves future "in rem" liability, not personal obligations that vested before filing