County Tax Lien and Lawyer Help

Many counties in the United States tax real estate in order to help pay for public education and important municipal services such as police officers and firefighters.  When a property county tax is not paid on time then a county tax lien is issued.  A county tax lien is an important matter that should not be taken lightly by a property owner.  The financial and personal consequences of a tax lien can be significant and have lasting implications for the delinquent tax payer.

County Tax Lien Collections on Overdue Taxes 

Once a tax lien has been issued, the county will attempt to collect the tax money that is owed.  A county tax lien collection follows specific steps that have been established by the county to deal with every property county tax lien that it issues.  For example, the county may be able to garnish wages, attach bank accounts or investments, take ownership of the property, foreclose on the property or sell the tax lien to investors who can initiate a tax foreclosure.  If the county has to initiate any of these methods to collect past due tax amounts then the property owner will also liable for the costs of the county tax lien collection procedures and for the interest on the overdue taxes.

How a Lawyer Can Help You Release a County Tax Lien

Burying your head in the sand will not work when it comes to county tax liens.  You need the assistance of an experienced attorney who can help you avoid the serious consequences associated with county tax lien collection.  Your lawyer understands that you are having difficulty paying the tax bill and that you want to remain in your home. 

Typically, a county tax lien will only be released once the past due taxes, interest, fees and penalties have been paid in full.  Your lawyer can help you negotiate a payment plan with the county to avoid foreclosure and give you the time necessary to pay the taxes. If necessary, your lawyer can help you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding that may provide you additional time to pay the past due taxes.  Of course, if the tax lien has been issued in error then you and your lawyer can provide documentation that the tax obligation has been fulfilled and the lien should be removed.

Once the lien is removed or released, you should receive a Release of Lien that formally removes the lien from your property.  This Release of Lien should be recorded in the same manner that property deeds are recorded in order to give notice to future purchasers of your property that the county tax lien has been fulfilled and released.