Tax Sale Litigation: Experienced Pennsylvania Tax Sale Lawyers
If you are behind in your real estate taxes for two years or more, your property can be exposed to a tax sale. Vinsko & Associates, P.C., has extensive experience in handling Pennsylvania tax sale litigation throughout the commonwealth. In fact, the firm’s managing principal tries numerous tax sale cases across the state annually, and he has been hired to protect both commercial and residential properties that have been sold or which are being advertised for sale.
This is a very specialized area of the law, and our attorneys have some of the most experience in Pennsylvania in this particular legal arena. If your property is up for tax sale, or if your property has already been sold at a tax sale, call Vinsko & Associates, P.C., today at 570-410-8723.
Types Of Tax Sales In Pennsylvania
There are generally three types of tax sales in Pennsylvania. First, your property will be exposed at the Upset Tax Sale. If it is not sold there, it will be exposed to the Judicial Tax Sale, which is commonly referred to as the “Free and Clear Tax Sale.” Additionally, after the Upset Tax Sale, but before it is exposed to the Judicial Tax Sale, a person can place an offer to purchase a property at a Private Tax Sale. If the property is not purchased at any sale, it is placed in the county’s repository, from which the property can still be sold.
Vinsko & Associates, P.C., has challenged tax sales and defended purchases for over 22 years. Our experienced tax sale lawyers know that before a county can sell your property, they must provide various forms of notice and advertisements for the sale to be valid. If any one of those notices is defective, the tax sale can be overturned. Additionally, certain circumstances there may be other defects that will allow a sale to be overturned. Our attorneys can guide you through this process and litigate on your behalf.
Similarly, before the tax sale date, there may be opportunities for you to arrange for a payment plan with the county tax claim bureau. Pennsylvania law requires payment plans to be offered in certain situations. Our Pennsylvania tax sale attorneys can assist you with this process.
Just Because Your Property Is Sold Does Not Mean The Sale Is Valid – PA Tax Sale Law And Upset Sale
Once a sale is complete, there is a period of time before a deed is issued to a new buyer because the sale has to be approved by the court. This is a crucial time to be able to evaluate the notices and other potential defects to allow you to save your property. Our Pennsylvania tax sale lawyers know what to do and how to move quickly to save your home.
Buying A Property At Tax Sale – Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law
Having experienced tax sale attorneys has allowed Vinsko & Associates, P.C., to advise companies and individuals who are looking to buy properties at tax sale. Our services include title reviews, notice reviews and general purchase advice related to properties listed for sale. We can potentially save you thousands of dollars and maybe avoid litigation by doing work for you in advance of the sale you are looking to attend. Our attorneys can also attend the sale on your behalf as your agent.
Frequently Asked Questions On Tax Sale Litigation
Understanding your options after a tax sale can be complex. Below, we have answered common questions that property owners often face.
Can the sale be stopped, set aside or redeemed? Were the notices legally sufficient?
Before taking action, it is important to review the sale process and legal notices. A Pennsylvania tax sale attorney can help determine whether your property sale can be halted or challenged. Common considerations include:
- Stopping the sale: If the sale has not yet occurred, a court may grant a temporary injunction to prevent it.
- Setting aside the sale: If procedural errors or legally insufficient notices occurred, the sale may be invalidated.
- Redemption: Pennsylvania allows former owners to redeem their property by paying the full amount owed, plus interest, fees and costs, within the redemption period.
Properly reviewing whether notices were legally sufficient is crucial. If the municipality failed to meet legal notice requirements, you may have the right to contest the sale.
How do payment plans, reinstatement or redemption work, and which option is best for me?
When dealing with overdue taxes, there are several approaches to regain control of your property:
- Payment plans: These allow you to pay taxes over time, often with interest or fees. This option can prevent further penalties or loss of the property.
- Reinstatement: If foreclosure or sale proceedings are underway, paying the full past-due amount may reinstate your ownership rights.
- Tax sale redemption: Paying the total owed taxes, interest and fees during the redemption period restores property rights.
The best option depends on your financial situation, the stage of the tax sale and state-specific rules. Our experienced tax sale attorney can assess these factors and guide you toward the most effective solution.
What will this cost, and can you communicate directly with the tax claim bureau or municipality?
Costs vary depending on the amount owed, interest, fees and attorney representation. Hiring a tax sale attorney can streamline communication with the tax claim bureau or municipality. They can:
- Handle negotiations on payment plans
- Verify amounts owed
- Represent you in disputes or redemption processes
Having professional assistance saves time, helps ensure accuracy and protects your property rights in complex municipal tax matters.
Contact Our Firm Today
If your property has been sold, or if you are interested in buying property through a tax sale, your first call should be to Vinsko & Associates, P.C., at 570-410-8723. You can also contact us through email.