MICHIGAN HOMEOWNERS SOCKED AGAIN
By Kurt O'Keefe, Attorney at Law on Jun 8, 2007 in Benefits of Bankruptcy, General Bankruptcy Information
The manure keeps hitting the fan for Michigan homeowners.
Several years ago, the State short circuited the process for property tax foreclosures, basically cutting 30 months off a 36 month process. The State Supreme Court just ruled part of that statute unconstitutional, in a case in which the county had never notified the property owner of the tax sale, but inisted it was entitled to keep the property anyway.
The government notified the previous owner. The new owner, a church, was not notified by anyone. They had to go through the trial court, and State Court of Appeals, and finally the State Supreme Court, to keep the property.
Obviously, that avenue is too expensive for most homeowners to pursue. With our sinking economy, and so many ARMs coming off the low introductory teaser rates, greater numbers of taxpayers are behind on their propert tax payments. Wayne County, home to Detroit, is our largest county. Without double checking, I believe the population is 2.7 million, including yours truly. Delinquent property taxes increased over last year by 90 million dollars, to an all time record of 290 million dollars.
This week, the Wayne County Treasurer mailed out over 148,000 delinquent tax notices.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a possible remedy, if filed timely, so the homeowner can pay the back taxes over time. Few homeowners are in a position to do so.
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