(a) At any time not less than three years after the auction or sale of a tax lien but not more than 10 years after the auction or sale, if the tax lien has not been redeemed, a holder of all of the sold tax lien certificates for a parcel of property may bring in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located an action to foreclose the right to redeem and quiet title to the property in the name of the holder of the tax lien certificate. If any applicable law or court order prohibits bringing an action to foreclose the right to redeem and quiet title to the property, the limitation provided in this section shall be extended 12 months following the termination of the prohibition.
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 40-10-197

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • circuit: means judicial circuit. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b)

(1) At least 30 days before filing a tax lien foreclosure action under this article, but not more than 180 days before the action is commenced, the holder of the tax lien certificates shall send notice of intent to file the foreclosure action by certified mail to all of the following:

a. The property owner of record, according to the property tax records of the county in which the property is located, at the owner’s address shown in the records and at the street address of the property if different.
b. All holders of outstanding mortgages, judgment liens, or other liens on the property as recorded in the probate office of the county in which the property is located.
c. The tax collecting official of the county in which the property is located.
(2) The notice shall include the property owner’s name, the uniform parcel number, the legal description of the property, the name and address of the holder of the tax lien certificate, and a statement that the holder proposes to file a tax lien foreclosure action as soon as 30 but not later than 180 days after the date of mailing of the notice. If the holder fails to send the notice required by this subsection, the court shall dismiss any tax lien foreclosure action filed under this article.
(c) The holder shall name as parties defendant to the tax lien foreclosure action all persons entitled to redeem under this article. Upon filing the tax lien foreclosure action, the holder shall record a notice as provided by Section 35-4-131.
(d)

(1) In a tax lien foreclosure action, if the court finds that the tax lien auction or sale is valid, that proper notice has been given, that the holder is the holder of all of the sold tax certificates on the property, and that the tax liens have not been redeemed, the court shall enter judgment foreclosing the right of the defendant or defendants to redeem and shall direct the circuit clerk to execute and deliver to the party in whose favor judgment is entered a deed conveying the interests of the defendants in the property described in the tax lien certificates.
(2) After entry of judgment, a party whose rights to redeem the tax liens are foreclosed has no further legal or equitable right, title, or interest in the property subject to the right of appeal and stay of execution as in other civil actions.
(e) The foreclosure of the right to redeem does not extinguish any easement or right-of-way on or appurtenant to the property or rights of any public utility or governmental entity in the property.
(f)

(1) The clerk’s deed executed in accordance with subsection (d) shall include all of the following information:

a. The date of the judgment.
b. The number and style of the case.
c. The name of the plaintiff, who shall be stated as the grantee.
d. The legal description of the property.
e. The uniform parcel number of the property.
f. The date of the conveyance.
(2) The original deed shall be delivered to the plaintiff for recording in the probate records in the county in which the property is located.
(g) Any person who is entitled to redeem under this article may redeem at any time before judgment is entered, notwithstanding that an action to foreclose has been commenced, by paying into the circuit court the redemption amount that would have been paid to the tax collecting official under Section 40-10-193 plus any other amounts determined by the court under this section. If the person who redeems has been served personally or by publication in the action, or if the person became an owner after the action began and redeems after a notice is recorded pursuant to subsection (c), the redeeming party shall also pay into the court with the redemption amount the costs incurred by the plaintiff in the action, including reasonable attorney fees actually incurred, to be determined by the court. The court shall then order the tax lien certificates cancelled and the tax liens void, the redemption amount be paid to the tax collecting official, and the costs and attorney fees be paid to the plaintiff.
(h) If a tax lien that was purchased pursuant to this article is not redeemed and the holder of the tax lien certificate fails to commence a tax lien foreclosure action on or before 10 years from the date of the tax lien certificate, the tax lien certificate shall expire and the lien shall become void.
(i) If a judicial proceeding prohibits bringing a tax lien foreclosure action, the time of expiration under this section shall be extended by 12 months following the completion of the judicial proceeding.
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