Happy Ending for Elderly Couple Who Lost Family Home Due To $1.63 Unpaid Tax Bill
An elderly couple whose home, without their knowledge, had been sold at a tax sale in July 1997 because of an unpaid tax bill for $1.63 is relieved that the legal drama is now over and they will regain a clear title to their home, which they paid off in 1968.
Because of an address mix up, Delores and Kermit Atwood of Slidell, Louisiana never received the tax bill for $1.63 that caused their home to be foreclosed on and sold at the sheriff's tax auction. They only learned of the sale more than 3 years later, after the redemption period during which they could reclaim their property had expired.
The Atwood's property was sold to American Land Investments for a total of $126.73, which included 10 cents interest and $125.00 in costs associated with the sale. American Land Investments sold and transferred the property to Jamie Land Co. a month later. The Atwood's have been battling the tenacious Jamie Land Co. President, James Lindsay II, since they became aware of the sale.
Kermit Atwood has medical problems that require him to live on a respirator, so he has been living with relatives. Delores Atwood has been living in a FEMA trailer outside the foreclosed home because it was so badly damaged during hurricane Katrina in 2005 that it is currently uninhabitable.
Because the title to the home was clouded by lawsuits filed by Jamie Land Co., the Atwoods were unable to apply for state storm recovery assistance and could not get a home equity loan or mortgage on the property to make necessary repairs. The home has remained empty and unlivable while Delores Atwood fought to save it; and James Lindsay II, of Jamie Land Company fought even harder to protect his investment and take ownership of it.
Jamie Land Co. took the legal battle all the way to the Louisiana Supreme Court, asking them to hear the case after a state judge and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal had ruled in favor of the Atwoods.
James Lindsay II of Jamie Land Company claimed that he had offered to settle with the Atwoods all along, but Delores Atwood said she knew of no such settlement offers and furthermore would not have accepted them because she did not owe Jamie Land Co. anything.
A generous, and anonymous, businessman heard media reports of the Atwood's plight and decided to settle the matter for them. He paid an undisclosed amount to settle with Jamie Land Co. so that the Atwoods would once again have a clear title to their home.
Being ever so charming and true to form, James Lindsay II volunteered to a local paper that "it wasn't a lot of money". You would have to wonder why he fought so hard to take an elderly couple's hurricane ravaged home from them over a negligible amount of cash.
The deal was finalized on July 17, 2007, bringing to a close an almost 10 year ordeal which never should have happened in the first place. The Atwoods may now apply for assistance or a mortgage to repair their home or sell it if they wish, without having to fight with Jamie Land Co.
Delores Atwood says she is relieved and happy that the ordeal is finally over, she just wishes she knew whom to thank.