“[My] quality of life has been so much improved by having gotten out from under this tax lien.”
– Paul*, Former Client, Tax Lien Foreclosure Clinic
“If I can ever step in and help people get to a better spot and help them get over things that they
really have no control over to begin with, that’s definitely what we should be doing as attorneys.”
– Joseph F. Konopka, Associate, Phillips & Angley
Paul sought assistance from the Lawyers Clearinghouse Tax Lien Foreclosure Clinic after he received a notice that the city planned to place a tax lien on his property. He was at risk of losing his home and could not afford a lawyer on his own.
Paul’s tax troubles started in 2020 after he underwent a double heart valve replacement that left him in the hospital for nearly three months. He was unable to work and eventually had to take an early retirement from his job as a social worker, leading to a decrease in his monthly income. He and his wife started selling their valuables to stay afloat and ultimately fell behind on several years’ worth of property taxes.
The city’s legal counsel referred Paul to Lawyers Clearinghouse, where he was connected with Tax Lien Clinic volunteer Joseph F. Konopka, an associate at Phillips & Angley, who worked with him over the next eight months to resolve the tax lien.
Joseph negotiated with the city to delay the complaint, allowing Paul to use proceeds from a reverse mortgage to pay off the tax lien. Once the lien was paid off, the city withdrew its complaint, allowing Paul to move on with his life without the burden of a legal case.
Because of the tax lien, the city wasn’t responsive to Paul’s requests for improvements around his property. A snowplow had damaged the border between his land and the roadway, leading to storm runoffs flooding his yard to the steps of the front door of his home and backyard, causing a 60-foot-deep gully. Once the tax lien issue was resolved, the deputy city engineer and foreman evaluated the property and finally started working on repairs.
Paul says his quality of life has improved since the dismissal of the tax lien and added that he was grateful for Joseph’s professionalism and advocacy on his behalf.
Learn more about our Tax Lien Foreclosure Clinic, which connects homeowners facing tax lien foreclosure with free legal advice and representation from volunteer lawyers.
This Pro Bono Victory was written by Communications Intern Lucas De Oliveira.
*Client’s name changed to protect privacy.
