Q: Wheaton County of Illinois; property sold for back taxes.
I acquired property thru realestate tax sale.
A:
Based on the information you provided, it seems that you purchased a property in Wheaton County, Illinois through a tax sale due to the previous owner's failure to pay property taxes. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Tax Deed: After purchasing the property at the tax sale, you will receive a tax lien on the property. To obtain full ownership, you will need to go through the process of obtaining a tax deed, which typically involves waiting a certain period (usually 1-3 years) and following specific legal procedures.
2. Redemption Period: During this waiting period, known as the redemption period, the original property owner has the right to redeem the property by paying the delinquent taxes, interest, and any additional fees. If they do so, your tax lien will be extinguished, and you will receive your investment back with interest.
3. Obtaining the Tax Deed: If the property is not redeemed within the redemption period, you can proceed with obtaining a tax deed. This process involves filing a petition with the court and providing proper notice to interested parties, such as the property owner and mortgage lenders.
4. Quiet Title Action: After obtaining the tax deed, it is advisable to file a quiet title action to clear any potential claims or encumbrances on the property and establish your clear ownership.
5. Legal Assistance: Due to the complexities involved in tax sales and obtaining a tax deed, it is highly recommended to consult with an attorney specializing in real estate tax law in Illinois to ensure that you follow the proper procedures and protect your investment.
Keep in mind that tax sale laws can vary by county and state, so it's essential to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements in Wheaton County, Illinois.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
