Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

Former property owner owes back taxes

What recurse do I have if the county of Hagerstown md informs me that the previous owner of the investment property I purchased did not pay his state taxes? I paid the amount due to meet the deadline, but now I need to get the money back from the former owner who now lives in Florida . He will not return email or phone calls


Asked on 2/16/07, 3:08 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Lawrence Holzman Holzman Law Firm, LLC

Re: Former property owner owes back taxes

I believe that the city of Hagarstown, MD is in Washington County, Maryland. Depending on the terms of your contract of sale, if you are entitled to be repaid, you could sue the former owner in Maryland State court for the money. If it is less than $5,000.00 you can do it easily without an attorney by filing in small claims court.

The real issue is what you do with it once you have a judgment. One would hpe that the folks would pay up before it got to that point, but if they do not, then you have to figure out how to collect by garnishing wages or attaching other assets.

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Answered on 2/16/07, 3:25 pm
Daniel Press Chung & Press, P.C.

Re: Former property owner owes back taxes

What Mr. Holtzman said is true. Further, if you bought title insurance, the title insurer should probably cover it. Furthermore, your settlement attorney should have made sure that all taxes were paid.

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Answered on 2/16/07, 4:21 pm


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