Unless she resorts to a reverse mortgage, it's surprisingly difficult to refi when you have no earned income. I have over 1M equity in my house but can't access it while unemployed (according to lenders I've contacted, including credit unions with whom I have 30+-year ties.)

Let's say property taxes are 2%. She's got a $1M house so thats $20k per year for the rest of her life. Is it really that hard to borrow $200k against a $1M house?

And then die me not pay back loans? Or what if there is a market downturn and now the lenders are stuck holding it? Maybe they don’t lend I’m the first place?

Lots of unknowns here.

Yes: Buy. Borrow. Die. It's how the wealthy skip taxes in the US.

Or, if she is seriously so destitute and financially illiterate that this is all too hard there are targeted programs in California for her: https://www.sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html

The fact is that Prop 13 is just a handout to successful land speculators at the expense of everyone else.