We are buying a burned out duplex (structurally sound) from the previous owner for $1. via Quit Claim.

Previous owner had it for about a year before it burned. She purchased it from the county tax foreclosure auction. I'm having my attorney due the title search and he found out that the owner before her owed child support (here in NYS they are DEAD serious about CS and it goes to age 21 automatically) Apparently that owner's ex put a judgement/lien on the property which is still showing up.

I did some research on the local county tax foreclosure auction and the disclaimer says the following rather ambiguous statement:

"All tax properties sold at auction are being sold subject to:

a) Rights of the public and others in and to any part of the premises that lies within the bounds of any street, alley, or highway.

b) Manufactured home, mobile home or trailer liens, if any.

c) All covenants, leases, easements and restrictions of record affecting said premises, if any.

d) Any state of facts that an accurate, currently dated survey might disclose.

e) Environmental conditions of property.

f) ALL NEW YORK AND FEDERAL LIENS IF ANY.

etc"

CS is generally under state jurisdiction (although under Title IV of the SS Act, the feds give a kickback to the state child support agencies for collecting the most amount of $)

What say you? We already pay for CS (last one of three is aging out/turning 21 the beginning of January 2024 Hallelujah!!!!!!!!! DH has been paying for almost two decades solid now)

How much is the lien? You are getting the house for free, so pay it if it isn't too much and then sue the deadbeat dad to try to get it repaid.

Dont pay it off,if anything buy the lien and file an assignment,then you have a chance of collecting from him.I wouldnt do anything if you dont need to refi it,i would just let it run its course and drop off in time,when was it filed?