How much do Intellectual Property lawyers make?

Property taxes we didn't know or owe bought by 3rd party who are wanting us to pay up or get out?

• Oh boy, this is a mess and do I ever need advice! When my husband was married to his second wife, both of their names were on each others property deeds. As part of their divorce in 2004, each were to have their names removed from the others deeds. Her home would then be hers alone with him having no claims on it and him likewise. Their lawyers secretary made a mistake. The secretary made the mistake of giving my husbands ex wife her property and giving her his property. My husband spotted the mistake and contacted the lawyer. The lawyer apologized, sent my husbands ex papers (which she filled out and sent back to the lawyer), and gave my husband a document entitled "Deed Of Correction". In this document it clearly states: In a prior deed by and between the Grantor and Grantee herein, dated October 17, 2004, recorded in Deed Book XXX, page XXX, XXX County Court Records, the parties were incorrectly named, therefore, the parties by this Deed of Correction correct and make good that deficiency. The party of the first part, Grantor, Jane Doe, does hereby, convey unto the said party of the second part, Grantee, John Doe, all her rights, title, claim, interest and undivided interest in and to the following described real property lying and being in XXX County, Kentucky, to wit: ... Then it lists my husbands property lines. Today we received a letter from a firm based in Texas. They claim to have bought my husbands property due to his ex wife not paying her taxes on his property in 2005. This firm is demanding us to pay over $1,700 by the last of September or will throw us out! My husband has homestead and pays all his yearly taxes when they are due. Just two weeks ago we were thinking about using his property as collateral to get a bank loan so we could buy a better model handicap van (I'm quadriplegic and my van has seen better days). Even though we knew we paid our taxes, he rung up the County Clerks office to make sure everything was free and clear (no back taxes, liens, or what not). The secretary at the County Clerks office checked and told us the property was free and clear! How can a firm clear in Texas buy a tax debt "owed" by his ex wife on property when she doesn't have any claims to my husbands property? They weren't even married in 2005, her name wasn't on the deed, and he paid his 2005 taxes! My husband is going to see a lawyer in the morning, but can anyone give me any advice as to what else we can do and expect? I'm just a nervous wreck thinking how someone can buy our home for $120 in taxes no one knew or owed and are wanting $1,700 or we're homeless! We are both disabled and on fixed incomes so $1,700 is a small fortune to us!

• Answer:

  If he paid the taxes on his house for 2005, and has proof, he needs to show it to the tax collector. If the deed was erroneously in his ex's name then, the tax bill would have gone to her rather than to him. But she obviously did NOT owe it, he did. If he didn't pay it, then he needs to pay it. Before the tax sale, he should have gotten notices that it was to be sold for taxes, since by then his name would have been on the property. Good luck.