Atlanta Tax Sale Foreclosure Attorneys Help People Save Their Homes

Effective Georgia lawyers aid in property redemption

Failing to pay property taxes can result in your home being sold out from under you through tax foreclosure. Fortunately, there are remedies available. You may be able to redeem your property or to maintain some of your ownership interest. The experienced attorneys at Michael C. Jones & Associates, LLC in Atlanta can provide the legal assistance you need.

How failing to pay property taxes can lead to foreclosure

If you fall behind on your property tax payments, the delinquency could trigger Georgia’s nonjudicial tax foreclosure process. A lien is automatically placed on your property. The county tax collector sends you a letter giving you 30 days to pay up. If you don’t, the county sheriff can schedule a public sale at which the property will be auctioned to the highest bidder. If no one bids enough to cover the overdue taxes plus the costs of the sale, the county may purchase the property.

Using the redemption option to get back your home

After the sheriff’s sale, the purchaser’s ownership is subject to your right of redemption. You have at least 12 months to redeem your property by paying all of the following:

• The amount the purchaser paid for the property at the tax sale
• A premium of 20 percent of that amount during the first year after the sale and an additional premium of 10 percent for each additional year or fraction of the year thereafter
• Any taxes and special assessments the purchaser paid on the property

Once the 12 months have passed, the purchaser may foreclose on the property on a specified date by giving you at least 30 days’ notice through the sheriff and by publishing a notice in the newspaper.

As skilled residential and commercial real estate attorneys, we will use our best efforts to assist you in getting back your home.

Taking steps to avoid a tax foreclosure

Of course, it is best not to wait until you are in delinquency before trying to seek tax relief. We can assist you in requesting a lower assessment, based on evidence that your property is overvalued. We may also be able to help you qualify for a property tax abatement.

Contact our Georgia tax sale redemption attorneys today

For timely and skilled help in avoiding a tax sale of your home or other property or in redeeming it afterward, call Michael C. Jones & Associates, LLC at 404-334-2860 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Atlanta office.