Q: Potential legal actions for wrongful property sale without notice in Texas.
I am considering filing a Bill of Review lawsuit due to a wrongful sale of my family's property in Texas. One of three lots was sold in 2024 by the appraisal district without providing any notice of sale, which is required by law. We were caught up on all taxes up to 2020 after receiving a notice of sale in 2019, and the suit was dropped. Despite having documentation of correspondence leading up to 2020, we received no notification regarding the recent sale. An attorney previously suggested pursuing a redemption fee, but I believe the sale was wrongful, and I want my property back. The appraisal district insists there's nothing to be done since the sale occurred. This situation has caused significant emotional and financial stress for my family. Should I pursue legal action, and against whom should it be directed?
A: A bill of review may or may not be the correct procedure depending upon the facts. These case can become quite complex. You need to consult an experienced attorney with specific bill of review experience in or near the county where the property was located. I do have such experience and practice in the North Texas area. Be sure to ask any attorney you contact if they have experience with bills of review. This procedure is not common, and there are no doubt thousands of competent and experienced trial and appellate lawyers throughout Texas who have never handled a single one. Expect to pay at least $500 for an initial consultation and likely $5,000-10,000 for an attorney to investigate the underlying facts to determine whether a bill of review is even available for your particular situation.
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